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The European Commission on Monday approved 2.4 billion euros of aid over six years for member countries struggling to cope with a tide of immigrants as hundreds of new refugees were rescued while trying to cross the Mediterranean.
The European Commission approved on Monday 2.4 billion euros of aid over six years period for member countries struggling to cope with the huge tide of immigrants coming from Middle East and Africa.
Italy and Greece will receive the bulk of aid, respectively €560 million and €473 million.
Tensions have escalated since the spring as thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa try to reach European shores, with the UN refugee agency calling the “chaotic” situation on Greek islands “shameful”.
More than 2,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year, making 2015 a record-year for fatalities, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Several migrants have also died in the French port city of Calais, a bottleneck for migrants attempting to enter Britain via the Euro tunnel, France 24 reports.