Egypt

Working environment

Egypt is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention. The number of Syrians and asylum-seekers of other nationalities approaching UNHCR for registration increased in 2016, to reach almost 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers of which over half are Syrians.  There continues however to be inequality of assistance available to refugees of different nationalities. A difficult socio-economic environment, increasing living costs, concerns for physical safety of refugees, discrimination and language barriers all have a negative impact on the integration of refugees. Limited livelihood opportunities and a lack of prospects for integration, coupled with a loss of hope to be able to return to their country of origin have contributed to the steady rise in the numbers of refugees departing irregularly by sea. The short validity of residence permits and centralization of residency procedures continue to constitute major challenges faced by refugees and asylum-seekers. 

The Government grants freedom of movement and residence permits to asylum-seekers and refugees. It has accommodated Syrian and Sudanese children in public schools, and provides access to primary health care services to them on par with nationals. UNHCR is working to enhance the quality of education and health care in the public system.

Key priorities

In 2017 the operation will focus on: 
•    Preservation of the protection space, enhanced access to asylum, prevention of refoulement and effective protection;
•    Mainstreaming primary health care for all refugees across nationalities and primary education for all Arabic-speaking refugees will remain a priority; 
•    The strategic use of registration, RSD and resettlement, to improve identification, profiling and assessment of special needs towards the best use of assistance and solutions;
•    Prevention and responses to detention and risks related to irregular migration, sexual and gender-based violence and child protection will be strengthened;
•    Strengthening refugees’ resilience including through livelihood programming, and solutions-oriented and sustainable community-based protection programmes by enhancing community participation, outreach and communication with refugees;
•    Working closely with the Government on investing in effective and innovative partnerships, capacity building and coordination with national and international partners;
•    Strengthening documentation of protection interventions, data collection and trend analysis.
A shortfall in funding will affect several areas of assistance. UNHCR would only be able to provide health and education assistance to the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. Moreover cash-based interventions, which are critical to refugees in light of their difficulty in accessing livelihood opportunities, would also be decreased and potential recipients would likely have to be further prioritized. Waiting periods for registration and RSD would also increase.