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Refugee Protection & Migration
"Millions of people are on the move worldwide and we can only manage this if we act globally, in full partnership." High Representative / Vice President Federica Mogherini
In 2017 every 2 seconds one person was forced to flee their home due to war, persecution or violence. With millions of people in need on a record high the European Union continues its work with partners around the world to address the humanitarian challenges and to provide long-term support. Last year, €2 billion of the EU's humanitarian budget was allocated to help displaced people and host communities in 49 countries. And EU Member States have granted protection to more than 538 000 people.
For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase the external action budget to €123 billion, to significantly simplify its structure, and make it much more flexible and effective to address today's global challenges.
The EU adopts new programmes and projects of €467 million and continues to deliver on its commitments to assist vulnerable migrants and refugees as well as address root causes of irregular migration. Thanks to EU-IOM joint work, 150 migrants received assistance to return from Libya to Mogadishu, Somalia, today.
The EU's comprehensive response to migration and working together with its partners show results. With EU support, the International Organisation for Migration have returned 6, 185 people in 2018 alone and the AU-EU-UN Joint Taskforce works with the Libyan authorities to stop the detention of migrants. Cooperation with partners in the Sahel is being enhanced to tackle migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks.
As a destructive mood dominates world politics, the EU stands firmly by rationality, calm, predictability, respect and dialogue, seeking solutions based on the humble art of compromise and looking for solutions where everybody's interests can find their own place. The European Union is today the point of reference for all those that are investing in peace, multilateralism, free and fair trade, sustainable development, the fight against climate change, human rights and democracy, social economy – in a rules based global order, EU High Representative Mogherini said in a speech on the State of the Union in Florence on Friday.
Migration policy, report to the European parliament
