Story highlights
- Europe's migrant policies "shameful" and "damaging," group says
- Its decision will take effect immediately, losing the company €56m ($63 million)
(CNN)Medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders says it will no longer accept funds from the European Union because of its "dangerous migration policies."
It comes after the EU and Turkish officials made a controversial deal to send anyone who crosses into Greece illegally back to Turkey.
EU, Turkey reach deal on plan for handling refugees 01:59
The plan was agreed upon in March as Europe struggles to respond to the largest migration crisis since World War II.
In a statement, the non-governmental organization also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said: "On the Greek Islands, more than 8,000 people, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors, have been stranded as a direct consequence of the EU-Turkey deal."
The decision, which takes effect immediately, is "in opposition to (the EU's) damaging deterrence policies and continued attempts to push people and their suffering away from European shores," the group said.
"The EU-Turkey deal sets a dangerous precedent for other countries hosting refugees, sending a message that caring for people forced from their homes is optional and that they can buy their way out of providing asylum," MSF said.
Jérôme Oberreit, MSF's International Secretary General told a press conference: "This is really about Europe's refugee shame."
"It cannot become the norm and must be challenged," he said.
MSF posted a series of tweets condemning the deal.
In 2015, the organization received €56 million ($63 million) from the EU and its member states.
The group has said it will use its reserve funds to ensure the decision will not impact any patients.
MSF noted its funding from the EU makes up only a small proportion of their overall budget, as 92% of their funds are received from individual donors.
