EC releases 3.9 million euros in emergency funds to Greece for refugees

The European Commission (EC) will release an extra 3.9 million euros to Greece to deal with the refugee and migrant crisis. The extra-ordinary funding, which will be managed by the Greek Defence Ministry, will go for the improvement of refugee hosting facilities. The Defence Ministry will provide refugees on the Greek islands with food, shelter and transport from the islands to inland hotspots, as well as extra-ordinary shelter needs on sea vessels. The total amount of funds Greece has received from the European Commission since 2015 to deal with the refugee crisis amounts to 356.8 million euros. The EU has earmarked 1 billion euros for Greece as emergency funds for the refugees. EC spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said the Commission was closely following the financing process and scrutinising all stages to guarantee transparency.