(ANSA) - TRIESTE - The European Commission announced a new 209 million-euro emergency support package for Greece to help it deal with the refugee crisis. Over 60,000 migrants are stuck in the country since European countries closed their borders. The new funding more than doubles the emergency support extended to Greece for the refugee crisis, bringing it to a total of 401 million euros.

The 151 million-euro program will help refugee families rent accommodation in Greek cities and provide them with money in an effort to help them move out of refugee camps, EU officials said. The rental project is in cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and will provide 22,000 rented homes with the aim of increasing the number of refugees living in rented places to 30,000 by the end of the year.

Refugees and asylum seekers will also be provided with monthly cash stipends distributed through cash-cards for expenses such as transport, food and medication. This part of the plan is worth 57.6 million euros.

"Our new funding is a game changer on how we deliver aid to improve people's lives", Christos Stylianides, the EU's commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in a statement.

"Europe means solidarity and this is what today's decision is about", the EU's migration commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos said. (ANSA).