MaltaMedia.com

The European Commission has approved an additional € 1,122,335.00 in Emergency Measures under the European Refugee Fund 2012 Annual Programme. These Emergency Measures will be used for two initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions and health of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of protection in Malta. The measures include the provision of improved accommodation by means of mobile homes as well as the provision of medical units and an X-ray machine to elevate the burden posed on the medical institutions for the treatment and screening of asylum seekers. The assistance provided through the Emergency Measures are an acknowledgement of Malta’s struggle against the large influx of immigrants reaching our shores. Actions under these European Refugee Fund Emergency Measures have an EU co-financing rate of 80%.

It should be noted that € 1,272,698.00 were already allocated under the European Refugee Fund 2012 Annual Programme under the annual allocation approved for Malta in early 2012. The 2012 Annual Programme is supporting various initiatives targeting reception conditions and integration of beneficiaries of international protection. A full list of the projects financed by the European Refugee Fund is available on the following website: www.fpd.gov.mt

The approval of the additional funds under the Emergency Measures together with the Annual Programme allocation brings the total allocation for 2012 for Malta under the European Refugee Fund to €2,395,033.00. One should also note that for 2012, Malta has also been allocated a further €16,316,750.00 under other Funds falling within the General Programme Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows, the largest share being that under the External Borders Fund which is largely used to procure equipment and IT systems and software required for the protection of Malta’s borders. Calls for projects under the European Fund on the Integration of Third Country Nationals and the European Return Fund are currently open and available on the following webpage: www.fpd.gov.mt

The allocation for 2013 under the same Programme amounts to €23,673,155.00. Once again, the largest share of this allocation is under the External Borders Fund and the funds will be used for the purchase of equipment to protect Malta’s borders. These Funds are managed by the Funds and Programmes Division within the Office of the Prime Minister. Calls for the 2013 Programme are expected to be launched throughout the year.

Further information is available from the website of the Funds & Programmes Division (OPM) at www.fpd.gov.mt