EU NEIGHBOURS. The European Union is represented at the first Global Refugee Forum, taking place in Geneva from 16-18 December, by Commissioners for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, and for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. Co-hosted by the United Nations Refugee Agency and Switzerland, the Forum will bring the international community together to showcase good practices in the field of refugee protection.
On Monday, Commissioner Várhelyi participates at the spotlight session, organised by the European Commission, on the Syrian refugee crisis and the joint response in partnership with host countries, local and international organisations. On Wednesday, Commissioner Lenarčič will address the High Level Dialogue on Education and Commissioner Urpilainen will intervene at the closing session of the Global Refugee Forum.
The EU and its Member States are major international donors to support refugees in countries hosting them. Between 2016-2019, the EU committed around €8.85 billion of its external funding in support to refugees and their host communities around the world, in particular in response to the Syria crisis, Horn of Africa, the Afghan and Venezuela regional situations and beyond.
In 2019 alone, the EU has committed over €2.1 billion to respond to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in the world. Thanks to EU resettlement schemes, more than 65,000 people in need of international protection were able to find safety in Europe since 2015.
