EU releases $28 mn to help Greece handle refugee crisis

Brussels: The European Commission has awarded 25 million euros ($28 million) in emergency funding to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to enhance its support to the Greek authorities, a statement said on Tuesday.

These additional resources will be used to support the implementation of the EU-Turkey resolve and the EU emergency relocation scheme, Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest funding was part of the emergency response plan developed together by the European Commission, the Greek authorities and other stakeholders to address the ongoing humanitarian situation. 

The funding will allow for the deployment of additional member state experts and interpreters, and set up mobile offices to assist with processing asylum applications.

The statement also called on the European Union (EU) member states to quickly make available the necessary staff to help EASO deliver the support and give a boost to the EU relocation scheme.