EU releases half a billion euros for Lebanon

The European Commission has announced financial aid of 505 million euros for Lebanon for the years 2026 and 2027, representing the second half of the one billion euro package announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Beirut in May 2024.

This new funding aims in particular to support economic recovery, reforms, security, and border management, as well as to maintain essential services for the most vulnerable populations. It is also intended to help Lebanon cope with the consequences of instability, conflicts, and population displacements in the region.

The package will notably fund education, health care, social protection and access to water, as well as assistance for vulnerable people and Syrian refugees. It will also support institutional reforms, the security sector, border management and economic recovery in conflict-affected areas.

Part of this aid will be devoted to civil society and initiatives for the rights of women, youth, minorities and people with disabilities, as well as democratic participation, transparency and the fight against corruption. European support is also expected to help strengthen social cohesion and preserve Lebanon's cultural heritage.

The European commissioner in charge of the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, announced this new package in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. On Wednesday, she met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in the presence of Foreign Minister Joe Rajji. On that occasion, she reaffirmed the European Union (EU)'s support for Lebanon and announced the start of disbursement of this second tranche of 500 million euros. Šuica also called on the government to carry on with reforms, particularly those needed to conclude an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In its press release, the Commission recalled that the EU has provided more than 3.5 billion euros in aid to Lebanon since 2011, notably for vulnerable Lebanese populations and Syrian refugees. This aid is implemented in cooperation with the Lebanese authorities, United Nations agencies, international organizations and civil society partners.