Cairo - In the response to the COVID-19 crisis, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS)  for the procurement and distribution of essential hygiene equipment and supplies to the Ministry’s Social Care Institutions (SCIs) that provide protection to vulnerable populations including unaccompanied children, single women, and persons with disability, to ensure the institutions are adequately capacitated to respond to the COVID-19 risks and implement preventative measures. IOM initiated distribution of these items, including masks, gloves, disinfectants, soaps, personal hygiene items and other cleaning materials to 67 SCIs that serve 3,500 beneficiaries in Cairo, Giza and Qalyoubia, Damietta, Alexandria and Beheira over two weeks.

This action strengthens the cooperation between MoSS and IOM in providing better living conditions and essential services to the most vulnerable categories. IOM remains committed to enhancing and possibly expanding the capacities of the social care institutions in order to enable a higher response to the specific needs of various vulnerable groups (for instance victims of human trafficking, minors and others). Hence this action will contribute to  facilitate the capacities of service providers to reach out to everyone in need, either living in central or remote areas, and ensure that no one is left behind.

“IOM is proud to support the Government of Egypt’s efforts, namely MoSS, in its fight against COVID-19 and the protection of the most vulnerable categories. The distribution of these essential materials is part of a larger strategic plan with the GoE’s partners that IOM is keen on fulfilling and continuing to support the resilient Egyptian and migrant populations in the country.” stated Laurent De Boeck, Chief of IOM Mission to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The provision of these items to MoSS’s SCIs was possible thanks to the generous contributions from the Government of Denmark, Japan and the United States of America.

This initiative is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 3: ‘Good health and wellbeing’ and Goal 10: ‘Reduced inequalities.  It is also in-line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly its social justice pillar.

For further information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 1032 049 144 Email: oawwad@iom.int