Introduction
Since April 2023, a significant number of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan have entered Egypt through its southern border while other refugees already in the country continue to face the challenges of prolonged displacement.
Over 792,000 refugees and asylum-seekers are currently registered in Egypt, a significant increase compared to 2023. Many of them live in poor neighbourhoods of Egypt’s largest cities.
Some 503,000 registered Sudanese account for over 63% of the total refugee and asylum-seeker population in Egypt, followed by 158,000 Syrians (around 20%) and other nationalities (16.4%). According to the UN, the number of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers is expected to increase.
What are the needs?
Refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt heavily rely on humanitarian assistance. They often reside in overcrowded neighbourhoods, where the host community struggles with substandard living conditions and high unemployment rates.
Egypt is the main recipient of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The continued influx of refugees and migrants coincides with Egypt’s worst economic recession in decades. Dramatic price increases for food and utilities are worsening living conditions for the most vulnerable population.
Over 32% of Egyptians were already living below the national poverty line before the onset of the Sudan crisis. The skyrocketing inflation, which reached 38% in 2023, severely affected all population groups. According to UNHCR, this percentage is even higher among refugees (84%). Access to basic services, such as health care and education, is extremely challenging for refugees and asylum seekers.
Refugees from African countries also face linguistic barriers, harassment, and discrimination. These challenges further limit their access to formal education and contribute to their marginalisation. They have no right to work in Egypt, leaving them dependent on high-risk jobs in the informal sector, without any labour protection.
The high number of new arrivals from Sudan has further contributed to the stigmatisation and discrimination suffered by refugees in general, especially those of sub-Saharan origin.
How are we helping?
In 2024, the EU allocated €9 million in humanitarian aid to help the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt. EU humanitarian funding covers 2 main sectors: education in emergencies and basic needs.
The EU is responding to the influx of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan by funding life-saving assistance such as food, water, sanitation, and hygiene items for those newly arriving across the border to Egypt. In addition, we support emergency cash assistance, child friendly spaces, and psychosocial support for the children.
Around 38% of all refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt are children. There has been a sharp increase in the numbers of unaccompanied minors and separated children among recent arrivals.
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.
The EU provides cash assistance to vulnerable refugees in Egypt to help cover their basic needs and ensures core protection services.
Due to the catastrophic worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Egypt has become the main point of entry for delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Since October 2023, the EU has launched 37 Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Al-Arish carrying lifesaving assistance for Palestinians in need, which will be channelled via land through Rafah.
Last updated: 04/10/2024
Facts & figures
More than 700,000 people forced to flee Sudan have approached UNHCR Egypt since April 2023
The refugee and asylum-seekers population registered by UNHCR include:
- 503,000 Sudanese
- 158,000 Syrians
- 130,000 various nationalities
EU humanitarian funding:
€9 million in 2024
€47 million since 2015