The SRTF Participates in the Initial Meetings of the European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the Madad Fund

Brussels - 29 May 2015 – The SRTF participated as an “Observer” in the First Fund Board Meeting and the First Operational Board Meeting of the newly established European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the Madad Fund, held in Brussels today. Mr. Hani Khabbaz, Director General of the SRTF Management Unit attended the two meetings, which started by welcoming the SRTF participation. The European Commission on Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations hosted the meetings, which were also attended by officials of the UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR and other international organizations.

The Madad Fund Board, which was opened by Mr. Johannes Hahn, EU Commission for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, dealt with a number of topics focusing mainly on the current state of the Syrian refugee crisis. It also discussed a strategic orientation document for the Madad Fund. In his opening statement, Mr. Hahn stated that the new “EU Trust Fund is a new and innovative way of pooling our resources into one single and flexible mechanism with high European visibility responding together to this unprecedented crisis in our southern neighborhood."

The Operational Board meeting discussed the Fund’s operational criteria, proposals and pipeline projects as wells as action documents, including a Regional Resilience & Livelihoods Programme for Syrian refugees and host communities, a Further and Higher Education Programme for Vulnerable Syrian Youth and EU Support to Turkey in the Syrian Crisis providing increased access to education and food security.

The Madad Fund represents Europe's response to the crisis both as a donor and doer by addressing the massive and increasing resilience and stabilization needs in Syria's neighboring countries, in particular Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, as well as over time also inside Syria. The fund may also be adapted to reconstruction needs in Syria in a future post-conflict scenario, thus becoming a funding vehicle for a future reconstruction effort.

For information on the SRTF projects, visit:

http://www.srtfund.org

Media outlets may contact:

communications@srtfund.org