Egypt Daily News – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued an urgent appeal for international solidarity on Monday, as the number of registered refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt has surpassed a critical milestone, exceeding one million individuals.
This sharp increase is primarily due to the influx of Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023, which has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis. Despite the soaring needs, per capita funding has dropped to a quarter of its previous already insufficient levels, forcing the UNHCR to cut essential aid to thousands of people in need.
Egypt is now the largest host country for Sudanese refugees, having received more than 1.5 million Sudanese since the conflict began, according to official government figures. Sudanese refugees currently make up around 73% of the total refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UNHCR in Egypt, highlighting the scale of the Sudanese displacement crisis and Egypt’s role in providing a safe haven.
Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative in Egypt and to the League of Arab States, stated:
“This is not just a number. Reaching one million refugees represents the suffering of thousands of families forced to flee, children separated from their parents, destroyed homes, and lost opportunities. It also reflects resilience, the courage of refugees to rebuild their lives and Egypt’s generosity in providing safety and solidarity.
However, this cannot be taken for granted. Refugee needs are growing by the day, and we cannot allow this to become another forgotten crisis. We appeal to donor countries, humanitarian organizations, and the private sector to strengthen their support and ensure that those forced to flee can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”
Despite the solidarity shown by host communities in Egypt and the tireless efforts of humanitarian organizations, the UNHCR is currently operating with only 29% of the required funding, leaving a gap of approximately $97 million. This shortfall has severely limited the agency’s ability to respond to the growing needs and to protect the most vulnerable amid ongoing resource shortages.
As a result, thousands of refugees have lost the monthly cash assistance they relied on for food and shelter, pushing many to the brink of extreme poverty. Access to healthcare has declined, and up to 50,000 children are at risk of dropping out of school. Protection services have also been reduced, leaving the most vulnerable exposed to increased risks.
Amid this crisis, Egypt has taken a significant step by enacting a new asylum law, marking a pivotal shift from a UNHCR-managed system to a state-run national asylum framework. At the request of Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UNHCR has developed a five-year transitional plan to support the establishment of a national asylum system that aligns with international standards.
However, the success of this transition and the protection of asylum seekers heavily depends on sustained financial and technical support from the international community.
In its statement, the UNHCR reaffirmed its full commitment to continue working alongside the Egyptian government, international donors, and local organizations in response to this unprecedented crisis. International solidarity is now more urgent than ever—not only to meet immediate humanitarian needs but also to support Egypt’s capacity to continue playing this vital humanitarian role sustainably.
