The European Commission announced on Friday it will grant another 11 million euros in emergency funds to Greece for the reception and registration of refugees and migrants and to Italy for the search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea
In a statement, the Commission said that 7.3 million euros will go to Greece’s identification service to increase the capacity of reception and improve medical services, particularly on the eastern Aegean islands.
Another 500.000 euros will be given for infrastructure projects aimed at improving the water supply network and sewage system connection at the hot spot on Samos island, the Commission said.
The total emergency assistance to Greece is now estimated around 353 million euros since the beginning of 2015.
In addition, the Commission said that 2.2 million euros will be awarded to the Italian Coast Guard to fund the on-board provision of food for rescued individuals and to help finance costs for personnel involved in search and rescue operations. It said an additional 1 million euros will be allocated for equipment for the Italian Navy to improve the medical screening of migrants rescued at sea.