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UNHCR Egypt: Sudan Emergency Response Update, 15 January 2025

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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS – HIGHLIGHTS

  • Amid harsh economic challenges and the onset of winter, UNHCR is delivering critical support to over 228,000 vulnerable refugees through one-time winter cash assistance to meet essential needs such as electricity, clothing, blankets, and heaters. This initiative prioritizes families classified as extremely poor or poor, including 43% Sudanese new arrivals and 63% female- headed households.
  • On 16 December 2024, Egypt’s new Asylum Law was published in the Official Gazette, introducing a Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs (PCRA) to oversee refugee-related matters and regulate access to key services, including healthcare, education, and employment, and to streamline asylum processes. Discussions on the bylaws to detail the law’s implementation are expected to follow, and UNHCR, building on years of engagement, will provide technical expertise to support the transition to a government-led asylum framework aligning with international and regional standards.
  • In 2024, UNHCR supported 48 public schools in Giza, Alexandria, and Damietta through maintenance and training initiatives. These schools, which are part of the Instant Network Schools (INS) programme led by UNHCR and the Vodafone Foundation, serve 63,100 students, including about 10% refugees. Each INS school is equipped with internet connectivity, a local content server, and an INS classroom featuring a projector, laptop, speaker system, and tablets for students. UNHCR is also working with the General Authority for Educational Buildings (GAEB) and International Computer and Communication Consultation Cairo (ICCC) to refurbish 22 additional INS classrooms in Sharqia (Greater Cairo) as a part of the INS project expansion in 2024. Additionally, solar panels are being installed to provide sufficient energy to power the INS classrooms, contributing to the schools’ environmental sustainability.
  • On 22 December 2024, UNHCR and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina organized the closing ceremony of the "Sanctuary" project, which supported 145 refugees from Sudan and other nationalities, as well as Egyptians, to enhance their vocational and technical business skills. Participants were trained in line with the demands of the local labour market, which contributed to improving their living conditions, increasing their chances of establishing and managing small businesses and promoting social integration. They also received a tool kit to start their own business. Additionally, the three best business projects were awarded with financial support.