Strategic aid: How the EU-Lebanon migration deal can work
To effectively deter migration to Europe, the EU’s €1 billion aid package to Lebanon must require that Beirut address its deep political and economic troubles
Experts & Staff
Kelly Petillo
Programme Manager, Middle East and North Africa
Areas of expertise
Middle East; human rights; refugees; humanitarian issues
Languages
Italian, English, French
Biography
Kelly Petillo is the programme manager for Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations, focusing on refugee, humanitarian and human rights issues. Her publications include From aid to inclusion: A better way to help Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Petillo’s experience stems from roles at various human rights and humanitarian INGOs and UN agencies in Europe and the Middle East, including Crisis Action, the International Crisis Group and the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA). In the past, Kelly carried out research on the impact of the war in Syria on Palestinian refugees since its outbreak in 2011. She also spent time in Lebanon, where she helped convening youth-led events to promote the rights of refugees and migrant workers in the country.
On the brink: Why Europeans need to help save UNRWA from collapse
The UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees is on the brink of collapse, facing huge funding cuts and a dire situation amid the war in Gaza. But now more than ever, Europeans need to support its operations or risk an even more unstable situation
Tipping point: The risks of Palestinian displacement for Egypt
Israel’s expanding ground-offensive threatens to push Palestinians out of Gaza and into neighbouring Egypt. This would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and risks destabilising Egypt, an important European partner
Humanitarian first: Delivering aid to Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake
In the aftermath of the earthquake, minimal aid is reaching north-west Syria, the most affected region in the country. European governments need to put humanitarian imperatives first, even if this means temporarily abandoning longstanding political positions
From aid to inclusion: A better way to help Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan
Europeans should adopt a new approach to supporting Syrian refugees – one that would also benefit host communities in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan
Turkey’s open door closes: How Europe can better support Syrian refugees
If Turkey and other countries begin deporting more Syrians back to Syria, Europe could experience a new wave of arrivals. European policymakers need to devise a more sustainable, longer-term approach to the issue
Unsettled: The impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Middle East and North Africa
Heightened conflict in Ukraine could have serious consequences for European interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It could further disrupt energy supplies, exacerbate food insecurity, and help states in the region gain leverage over the US and Europe
Stuck in limbo: How Europe can protect Syrian refugees
Europeans who have at heart the sustainable return of refugees, in line with Europe’s core interests and with the will of the Syrian people, should focus on ensuring that conditions on the ground in Syria allow for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns
Out of place: Why Europe needs a new refugee policy
The White House’s intent to restore the global human rights agenda should prompt the EU and its member states to rethink their refugee policies, at a time when refugees and other displaced people face immense challenges
How economic troubles are driving Tunisians and Lebanese to Europe
The European Union can provide greater grassroots support to the Tunisian and Lebanese economies – and help avert an economic crisis abroad and political crisis at home
Publications
From aid to inclusion: A better way to help Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan
Europeans should adopt a new approach to supporting Syrian refugees – one that would also benefit host communities in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan
Articles
Strategic aid: How the EU-Lebanon migration deal can work
To effectively deter migration to Europe, the EU’s €1 billion aid package to Lebanon must require that Beirut address its deep political and economic troubles
On the brink: Why Europeans need to help save UNRWA from collapse
The UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees is on the brink of collapse, facing huge funding cuts and a dire situation amid the war in Gaza. But now more than ever, Europeans need to support its operations or risk an even more unstable situation
Tipping point: The risks of Palestinian displacement for Egypt
Israel’s expanding ground-offensive threatens to push Palestinians out of Gaza and into neighbouring Egypt. This would worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and risks destabilising Egypt, an important European partner
Humanitarian first: Delivering aid to Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake
In the aftermath of the earthquake, minimal aid is reaching north-west Syria, the most affected region in the country. European governments need to put humanitarian imperatives first, even if this means temporarily abandoning longstanding political positions
Turkey’s open door closes: How Europe can better support Syrian refugees
If Turkey and other countries begin deporting more Syrians back to Syria, Europe could experience a new wave of arrivals. European policymakers need to devise a more sustainable, longer-term approach to the issue
Unsettled: The impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Middle East and North Africa
Heightened conflict in Ukraine could have serious consequences for European interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It could further disrupt energy supplies, exacerbate food insecurity, and help states in the region gain leverage over the US and Europe
Stuck in limbo: How Europe can protect Syrian refugees
Europeans who have at heart the sustainable return of refugees, in line with Europe’s core interests and with the will of the Syrian people, should focus on ensuring that conditions on the ground in Syria allow for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns
Out of place: Why Europe needs a new refugee policy
The White House’s intent to restore the global human rights agenda should prompt the EU and its member states to rethink their refugee policies, at a time when refugees and other displaced people face immense challenges
How economic troubles are driving Tunisians and Lebanese to Europe
The European Union can provide greater grassroots support to the Tunisian and Lebanese economies – and help avert an economic crisis abroad and political crisis at home
Politicised aid: Why Europe should sustain cross-border humanitarian assistance to northern Syria
European countries should work to renew the UN Security Council resolution on cross-border humanitarian access to northern Syria, lest the area slides into a deeper humanitarian crisis
In the media
This creates multiple fronts and acute dangers for the region, threatening to break current alliances and destroy cooperation among key states, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia,
Kelly Petillo on the Middle East
Initially, Hezbollah faced criticism for deciding to join the war with Israel and thus dragging Lebanon into the war
Kelly Petillo on the October 7 attacks, a year ago
At the beginning, Hezbollah was criticized for deciding to engage in a war with Israel and dragging Lebanon into it
Kelly Petillo on the October 7 attacks, a year ago
It was Hezbollah that opened fired on Israel after the start of the Gaza war last fall — without ever taking into consideration the rest of the Lebanese population
Kelly Petillo on the situation in Lebanon