Egypt

Introduction

Since April 2023, a significant number of people fleeing Sudan’s conflict have crossed into Egypt from its southern border, while refugees already there continue to face the strain of prolonged displacement. 

Egypt, where 72% of the population lives below the poverty line, is the main recipient of people fleeing the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Gaza: currently, Egypt is hosting over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, notably from Sudan and Gaza.

The country now hosts over 1.5 million Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers out of whom over 830,000 registered with UNHCR and 210,000 await registration. Sudanese make up 75% of Egypt’s refugee population, with 76% of newly registered being women and children. With a shrinking asylum space, they face severe and multiple barriers in accessing health care and education.

Facts & figures

The refugee and asylum-seekers population registered by UNHCR include:

EU humanitarian funding:

€64 million since 2015

What are the needs?

Refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt rely heavily on humanitarian aid and often live in overcrowded areas where host communities already face poverty and unemployment. 

Inflation averaging around 16% in 2025 deepens hardship for both refugees and host communities. A WFP-UNHCR assessment shows that: 

• 56% of refugees cannot afford basic needs
• 65% are highly or extremely vulnerable
• 58% are food insecure

Furthermore, half of all school-aged refugee children are out of school. There has been a sharp increase in the numbers of unaccompanied minors and separated children among recent arrivals. 

Access to health care and education remains limited especially for those refugees who face language barriers, harassment, discrimination and lack of legal work rights. 

The influx from Sudan worsened stigma and discrimination suffered by refugees in general, especially those of sub-Saharan origin. 

Displaced people including children

Since October 2023, over 130,000 people — including around 30,000 children — have fled Gaza to Egypt seeking safety and medical care. 

Without legal status or access to services, many children face exclusion and trauma: many are unaccompanied and live in overcrowded, unsafe shelters. Education is a critical need, with most school-aged children unable to attend school due to lack of documentation or resources, and makeshift solutions like online learning. 

Economic hardship has deepened the crisis. A recent Save the Children survey found that:

• 75% of Palestinian households in Egypt have no income
• 62% received no support since arrival
• 90% have no savings
• 60% are in debt 

As a result, 93% cannot meet basic needs such as food, rent, or healthcare. Thousands of medical evacuees have also overwhelmed Egypt’s already strained health system, leaving many without adequate treatment or mental health support.

How are we helping?

In 2026, the EU allocated €8 million in humanitarian aid to support multi-sectoral assistance to the most vulnerable, including quality education for out-of-school children, and a regional programme on disaster preparedness. 

EU humanitarian funding covers 3 main sectors: education in emergencies, protection and basic needs. 

The EU is responding to the influx of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan by:

• funding cash assistance
• education
• child friendly spaces
• psychosocial support for children
• legal aid
• support for victims of gender-based violence

Access to education

The EU also funds activities to improve access to formal and non-formal education for refugee children, focusing on primary and secondary school levels in both public and refugee community schools. An EU-funded learning recovery programme has equipped refugee teachers with tools to identify learning gaps and better develop students’ foundational skills in the classroom.

Key entry point for delivery of aid into the Gaza Strip

Due to the catastrophic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Egypt has become one of the key entry points for delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Since October 2023, the EU has organised 78 Humanitarian Airbridge flights (EUHAB) and has shipped 5,112 metric tonnes (mt) of cargo. Out of these 82 EUHABs, 74 arrived in Al-Arish, carrying 3,763 mt of humanitarian aid, including medicines, medical supplies, shelter, WASH, and educational items on behalf of humanitarian partners, EU Member States from the EU’s own stocks. 

Key transit point for medical evacuations

Egypt has served as a key transit point for medical evacuations from Gaza under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), with 78 patients transferred from Egypt to hospitals in Europe in close cooperation with the WHO and national authorities. 

Main destination for Palestinian refugees

The country has also become, since October 2023, the main destination for Palestinians fleeing the Gaza crisis, particularly those needing urgent medical care. Thousands of medical evacuees have arrived in Egypt and have pushed the already strained healthcare system beyond capacity. Since November 2023, Egypt has requested support through the UCPM to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure and provide specialised care for patients evacuated from Gaza. 

11 EU Member States have offered medical equipment, medicines and protective items to Egypt