British PM details £1bn aid package for Syrian refugees

Theresa May adds a further £160 million for Syrian refugees, as part of an aid package aimed at preventing further migration to Europe and the UK.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

04 April, 2017

British PM Theresa May [L] announced the aid package while in Jordan [Anadolu]

British Prime Minister Theresa May has detailed a £1 billion aid package for Syrian refugees, which will help victims of the country's conflict in the areas of employment and education.

The package, which May revealed while on a trip to Jordan, includes £840 million that was pledged last year and an extra £160 million. It aims to support countries hosting refugees in order to prevent further migration to Europe.

"The ambitious approach agreed in London last year is delivering real results and giving refugees what they want – opportunities and education close to home that provide a meaningful alternative to risking their lives trying to reach Europe. This is clearly in the UK’s national interest," May said ahead of her trip.

Jordan, which borders Syria's south, has more than 650,000 registered Syrian refugees.

The package includes food, vaccinations and shelter for Syrian refugees across the region, as well as those still in Syria. It will also contribute towards educating refugee children in Jordan and Lebanon over the next three years.

Britain has been criticised for its handling of the current refugee crisis, particularly for scrapping a scheme to resettle unaccompanied child refugees. The scheme, which only took in around 350 unaccompanied youngsters, had expectations of resettling 3,000.

Following her trip to Amman, the British leader will head to Riyadh, where she will hold talks about strengthening economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

The trip is seen as part of May's post-Article 50 mission, which aims to secure and strengthen Britain's opportunities and ties outside of the EU after having triggered the exit clause from the politico-economic bloc last week.