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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the launch of the Egypt Chapter in the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 2020-2021 in response to the Syrian Crisis (3RP) and the Egypt Response Plan for refugees and asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa , Iraq and Yemen 2020-2021 (ERP) on October 5.
To support Syrian refugees and members of the host community, 3RP partners are requesting a budget of $ 159.1 million in 2020 and $ 172 million in 2021. Launched for the third year in a row, the ERP is targeted to refugees and asylum seekers from sub-Saharan Africa, Iraq and Yemen, as well as members of the host community. This year’s partners are requesting $ 89.6 million in 2020 and $ 99.6 million in 2021.
The sectors selected for interventions include education, protection, health, basic needs, cash assistance, livelihoods, and food security.
“More resources are needed to support public services and build community resilience. Support is also needed to improve the education of refugee children in public schools, in addition to providing secondary and tertiary medical care to refugees, ”said Ambassador Ihab Fawzi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security.
Meeting the urgent needs of the refugee population in recent years has been a major challenge for the Government of Egypt, UNHCR and appeal agencies due to a recurrent lack of funding. Consequently, the COVID-19 outbreak has only increased these challenges, with refugees at the forefront.
Richard Dictus, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt highlighted that “the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences beyond the spread of the disease itself. It caused a severe socioeconomic impact with millions at risk of extreme poverty. Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable populations, especially affected by the pandemic. “He added:” The United Nations in Egypt has been working closely with the Egyptian government since the COVID-19 outbreak to alleviate the socioeconomic impacts of COVID 19 by striving for an approach that leaves no one behind. “
Egypt is among the 3RP countries receiving one of the lowest levels of funding. In 2019, only 43.3 percent of the total requirements were received under the 3RP and 42.6 percent under the ERP. As of August 31, 2020, Egypt is hosting 258,855 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Egypt.
Mr. Karim Atassi, UNHCR Representative in Egypt and the League of Arab States expressed his sincere appreciation to the generous donors “who are financing the operation of UNHCR and allowing us to support people in need of international protection staying in Egypt.” Mr Atassi added: “I appeal to donors to support the Government of Egypt in hosting refugees. To my knowledge, Egypt does not receive any direct financial support from the international community to support the refugees today. This is very regrettable and does not reflect the principle of international solidarity included in the Global Compact on Refugees between host states and donor countries ”.
The event is part of the Egyptian Government’s sustained efforts to support refugees and asylum seekers of all nationalities in Egypt. Representatives from donor countries, United Nations agencies, national and international NGOs and the media attended.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the UN Information Center in Cairo.
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