After migrant influx: EU opens its wallet for Spain
The European Commission is in talks with the Spanish government on an additional aid package following the unusual migrant wave to Ceuta, where about 72,000 people broke through from Moroccan territory. The funds are expected to be used to strengthen border security and expand humanitarian and medical aid to migrants remaining in the city. The EU has already allocated 114 million euros to Spain as emergency aid.
The European Commission is holding accelerated talks with the Spanish government on an additional aid package, after about 72,000 people broke into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Moroccan territory last week. This was reported yesterday (Thursday) by Euronews. Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier confirmed that Spain has submitted an initial needs assessment, and Brussels is now reviewing the request. The next step will be a formal application from Madrid. The funds may be used to strengthen border security, purchase equipment, and finance humanitarian and medical aid for migrants remaining in the city, including setting up temporary shelters, food supply, medical care, and reinforcing emergency teams. The amount of aid Spain will request has not yet been determined. According to Spanish authorities, about 70,000 migrants have already returned to Morocco following the violent events last week, in which at least 88 people were killed. Up to 5,000 migrants are still in Ceuta, including 860 unaccompanied minors. The aid organization Luna Blanca has distributed more than 12,000 meals, and its president, Mustafa Abd al-Qader, said the authorities are not prepared for a crisis of this magnitude. At the end of an emergency meeting of EU ministers on Tuesday, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner announced that 114 million euros had been allocated to Spain as emergency aid, of which about 28 million for strengthening reception, shelter, and return systems for migrants in Ceuta. Brunner stressed that the EU stands by Spain.