On the upper floors of an apartment block towering over Giza’s humble village Al Barajil, Ismat, a 64-year-old Sudanese refugee, gazes out from his apartment’s window. His family lives here, 5 members crowded into a very small apartment meant to host fewer people.
The dilapidated building stands tall, its stairwell winding upward. But there’s no elevator – just the weary legs of those who ascend, carrying their burdens with them.
“For my children,” says Esmat, “I would give my soul. I would do anything for them.”
Esmat carries the weight of a life split between 2 countries. In 2021, he left behind the Sudanese city of Omdurmán that lies on the west bank of the river Nile, to seek refuge in Egypt. With his family, he became part of the over 328,203 registered Sudanese asylum seekers and refugees who now live in Egypt.
“What I miss about Sudan,” Esmat reflects, “is that everyone is considered family, all the time.” In his homeland, neighbours shared meals, laughter, and prayers. Here, the foreign streets are a blur of faces, each lost in their own struggle. The mosque, once a sanctuary, now feels distant for Esmat.
When Esmat and his family arrived in Egypt, they felt completely alone, knowing no one in a foreign land. But then fate brought a glimmer of hope. A young Sudanese man, whom Esmat had once cared for back in Sudan, was now in Egypt and came to their aid. He generously paid for a crucial surgery Esmat needed and ensured that the family had food in their fridge during those challenging first days. His kindness gave them hope and a foundation to build upon.
Tragically, due to a severe illness, Esmat lost his leg to a necessary amputation. With their limited resources stretched to the breaking point, the family could not afford to pay for their children’s education. The dream of schooling, the only way to a better future, now seems heartbreakingly out of reach.
In the past years, thousands of people fleeing Sudan’s relentless conflict have reached Egypt, their footsteps reflecting the pain of displacement while a political solution remains elusive.
Esmat’s family receives cash assistance from UNHCR thanks to the support of EU humanitarian aid. The assistance provided to these families helps them meet their most basic needs.
Fatima, Esmat’s wife, dreams of her daughters’ success. She envisions them completing their education, defying all odds. School is a luxury they can’t afford. Duaa, their youngest 8-year-old, yearns for a Sudanese private school, clinging to the familiar curriculum of her homeland. Her sisters Maya, 19 and Muwada, 16 can only aspire for an education.
Every 2 months, the family receives cash assistance that helps them pay rent, and secure basic food items to get by. Yet, Esmat struggles to save any money, burdened by lingering debts.
Living in a foreign land presents constant challenges. Places blur together, yet little by little, Fatima must find her way while missing her family back in Sudan. With her husband’s mobility limited, she bears the responsibility of managing the household finances, facing each day with quiet determination.
Getting food is simpler now – rice, spaghetti, bread – whatever is cheapest. In Sudan, meat and fish graced their table, even on Eid. Neighbours shared, and there was a strong sense of community.
“If Sudan finds peace,” Fatima says, “I would return.” But for now, this is not an option.
The European Union provided UNHCR with €4 million in humanitarian funding in 2024 to extend a lifeline to at least 68,000 (out of 532,741) Sudanese asylum seekers and refugees in Egypt.
