The benefit paid to refugees and persons entitled to humanitarian assistance in 2014 will be 633 lei, as against 577 lei last year, IPN reports, quoting a Government decision.

The benefit represents 15% of the forecast monthly official average salary. In 2014 it was projected to be 4,225 lei.

Minister of the Interior Dorin Recean said that a sum of about 40 million lei will be allocated for providing refugee benefit this year. The reimbursable benefit is released annually and is set for a period of at most six months. In order to obtain the benefit, the refugees must submit an application and commit themselves to reimburse the received sum.

As many as 24 new applications for obtaining refugee benefit and humanitarian protection were submitted in 2013. The rise in the number of applications is due to the events in Syria and the higher number of asylum seekers from this country.