Cairo – The Government of Egypt, in collaboration with the United Nations and the European Union, is launching a Joint UN Programme implemented by UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF and WHO under the framework of the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees.

Despite the increasing needs following the influx from Sudan since April 2023, Egypt continues its efforts to provide essential services, including health and education, to the refugees and migrants in vulnerable situations.

In a spirit of solidarity and responsibility sharing, the programme, supported by a €12.2 million grant from the European Union, is acknowledging these efforts and will partner with the Government to address basic health and education needs and enhance resilience and protection for the less advantaged migrants, refugees and asylum seekers living in Egypt, as well as their host communities.

The Assistant Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and International Security Ambassador Amr Aljowaily highlighted Egypt’s long-standing role in hosting large numbers of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. “Egypt adopts a comprehensive approach that allows for the integration of migrants and refugees into the Egyptian society through a no-camp policy, and providing basic services.”, he stated.

In this context, the Assistant Foreign Minister welcomed the launch today of the first program under the Joint UN-Egypt Platform on Migrants and Refugees as a forward-looking project that deals with migration and refugee issues through an all-encompassing spectrum particularly on economic and social development. “We have high expectations that the program, through the valuable contribution of UN agencies and international partners primarily the EU, will enhance coordination and mobilize funding to support national systems that provide basic services to migrants, refugees and the host community focusing on education and health, thus integrating the humanitarian and development dimensions”, Aljowaily added.

Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt commented: “I want to emphasise the vital importance of sharing the responsibility in upholding the rights of migrants and refugees. As one of the primary host countries in the region, Egypt stands at a crossroads in its response, facing unprecedented challenges brought on by global displacement. The responsibility of caring for and safeguarding people on the move cannot rest solely on the shoulders of Egypt; it demands a collective response from the international community and national partners”.

H.E. Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, emphasized the EU's ongoing support for Egypt's efforts to improve services to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants as well as to strengthen the resilience of host communities, in addition to exploring resettlement opportunities and safe and legal pathways to the European Union for refugees hosted in Egypt. This comes in accordance with the principle of burden and responsibility sharing as Berger mentioned while praising Egypt's long-lasting history of hosting significant numbers of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, implementing an out-of-camp policy, and providing basic amenities.

Under the Strategic and Partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union, adopted in March 2024, the European Union and Egypt will continue to cooperate to support Egypt's efforts in hosting refugees and both sides are committed to the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees.

The joint UN Programme builds on the recommendation of the Common Situational Analysis on Education and Health for Migrants and Refugees carried out in 2022. The Programme will ensure that key protection services remain available to the most vulnerable. It will also benefit the host communities in selected areas.

The Programme supports Egypt’s commitment under the United Nations Network on Migration as one of the 25 Champion Countries of the Global Compact on safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as well as Egypt’s Commitment to the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR).

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For more information, please contact:

IOM: Salma Okasha, Media and Communications Officer, sokasha@iom.int  

UNICEF: Hala Abu Khatwa, Advocacy and Communications Manager, habukhatwa@unicef.org / Noha Abouzeid, Advocacy and Communications Officer, nabouzeid@unicef.org

UNHCR: Christine Beshay, Associate External Relations Officer,  beshay@unhcr.org

WHO: Yasmeen Ali, Communications Officer, aliya@who.int

EUD in Egypt:  Rasha Serry, Press and Information Officer, rasha.serry@eeas.europa.eu

About the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees

The Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees (JPMR) in the Arab Republic of Egypt is an initiative launched in November 2021 by the Government of Egypt and United Nations partners. It aims to enhance coordination, ensure better delivery of services, and mobilize resources to support migrants, refugees, and their host communities in Egypt.