The European Union on Monday launched a scheme worth almost 350 million euros providing mainly Syrian refugees in Turkey with pre-paid debit cards, the biggest project yet under a landmark deal between the bloc and Ankara, AFP reported.
EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides, in Ankara for the start of the program, said the debit cards will help give vulnerable refugees a "sense of normality" in their lives.
The refugees will be able to use the cards in shops or institutions to pay for food, education, housing and clothing or also to withdraw cash from ATMs.
Each card will be automatically topped up with 100 Turkish lira ($33.50) a month, giving people the chance to choose their own purchases.