Egypt and UN Highlight Success of EU-Funded Joint Program for Refugees and Migrants

On November 11, 2026, a high-level delegation including Ambassador Neveen Elhussein, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro, and representatives from the European Union (EU) conducted a field visit to observe the impact of the EU-funded UN Joint Program on Refugees, Migrants and Host Communities.

The delegation visited rehabilitated education and health facilities in Omraneya and 6th of October City, illustrating how international cooperation can strengthen national systems to benefit both refugees and the local host communities. The visit highlighted the close partnership between the UN, the EU, and the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population as well as the Ministry of Education and Technical Education.

Egypt currently hosts 1.1 million registered refugees and asylum seekers, along with several million migrants, many of whom are in vulnerable situations. Launched in 2024 under the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees, the flagship program is implemented by UNHCR, IOM, WHO, UNICEF, and WFP. Since its inception, the initiative has reached over half a million people, supporting 120 schools and 56 public health facilities.

Key achievements of the program include providing education services to more than 162,000 students, training over 2,500 health professionals, and improving maternal and child nutrition and food security. Additionally, the program has delivered protection services to 85,200 individuals and fostered social cohesion among migrants, refugees, and host communities.

Ambassador Neveen Elhussein emphasized that international solidarity must translate into tangible investments that enhance the resilience of host communities. UN Resident Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro noted that enhanced international responsibility-sharing is essential to reinforce Egypt's capacity to provide inclusive services. Sebastien Lorion, Team Leader of the Delegation of the EU to Egypt, reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Egypt in building resilient local systems amidst a volatile regional context.