Egypt, UN showcase results of EU-Funded Joint Program Supporting Refugees

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration, Ambassador Neveen Elhussein, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Egypt Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro and representatives from the European Union (EU) led a high-level field visit Thursday, 11 November 2026.

The visit brought together senior Government officials, representatives of United Nations agencies and heads of Cooperation from partner missions to observe firsthand the results of the EU-funded UN Joint Program on Refugees, Migrants and Host Communities. It demonstrated how coordinated and institutionalized international cooperation can translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and members of host communities.

The delegation visited education and health facilities in 6th of October City and Omraneya rehabilitated through the Program, reflecting that supporting refugees and migrants must go hand in hand with strengthening national systems and public services. The delegation reaffirmed its support for the Joint Program and commended the results achieved through the close partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education.

Egypt has consistently shouldered its responsibilities in hosting refugees and asylum-seekers. Today, it hosts 1.1 million registered refugees and asylum seekers alongside several million migrants, including millions of migrants in vulnerable situations.

Launched in 2024 under the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees, the Program is a flagship partnership between the Government of Egypt, the United Nations and development partners. Implemented by UNHCR, IOM, WHO, UNICEF and WFP, the Program supports Egypt’s national response to migrants and refugees, as well as the Egyptian communities hosting them.

Since its inception, the Program has reached more than half a million people. It has supported 120 schools, helping create more inclusive learning environments, and strengthened 56 public health facilities. The Program has provided education services to over 162,000 students, trained more than 2,500 health professionals, and supported efforts to raise nutrition awareness and improve maternal and child nutrition and food security. It has also delivered protection services to 85,200 individuals and promoted social cohesion among children and adults refugees, migrants and host communities. Through these integrated interventions, the Program is expanding access to essential education, health and protection services across Egypt.

“The visit demonstrates the importance of translating international solidarity into tangible investments that benefit both refugees and migrants and the community hosting them. The obligation of responsibility sharing must go beyond humanitarian assistance to include sustained support to strengthen national systems and public services to enhance the resilience of host community,” said the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration.

“What we have seen demonstrates the power of partnership. Working together, the Government, the United Nations and development partners are delivering tangible results for the most vulnerable. At a time of growing needs and increasing pressure on national systems, enhanced international responsibility-sharing is essential to build on these results, and reinforce Egypt’s capacity to provide inclusive services for all,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt.

“The EU remains deeply committed to supporting Egypt’s efforts to address complex migration challenges in an increasingly volatile regional context. Through this Joint Program, we are supporting Egyptian authorities in building resilient local systems that benefit both vulnerable populations and the host communities that generously welcome them,” said Sebastien Lorion, Team Leader, Delegation of the EU to Egypt.

The visit underscored the importance of continued international solidarity and investment in Egypt’s national systems to scale up access to services for refugees, migrants in vulnerable situations and host communities, while contributing to social cohesion and sustainable development.