Egypt & UN Reaffirm Commitment to Inclusive Services for Migrants & Refugees at Aswan Forum

Egypt and the United Nations, in partnership with the European Union, have reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving inclusive access to essential services for migrants, refugees, and host communities across Egypt.

The announcement came during a high-level event held on the sidelines of the Aswan Forum, where progress under the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees was showcased. 

This multi-agency initiative brings together government institutions, UN agencies, and international development partners to improve healthcare, education, protection, and social cohesion in communities impacted by displacement.

The event saw the participation of key national and international figures, including: Ambassador Amr El Sherbiny, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security, Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, Dr. Amr Kandil, Assistant Minister for Preventive Medicine, and Dr. Amr El Sobky, Chairperson of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority.

Also in attendance were representatives from UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, and European embassies, along with IOM regional and national leadership.

In his opening speech, Ambassador El Sherbiny underscored the importance of international solidarity: “Supporting host countries requires a collective effort and sustained international solidarity. We call upon our international partners to continue strengthening cooperation and increasing funding to ensure the continuity of services for both refugees and host communities in a fair and sustainable manner.”

Through funding from the European Union, several impactful initiatives are underway under the Joint UN Programme: WHO’s Healthcare Expenses Coverage Programme (HECP) covers medical costs for Sudanese patients in Egyptian Healthcare Authority hospitals.

IOM has delivered critical medical supplies to 10 healthcare facilities in Aswan, helping to prevent medicine shortages and strengthen healthcare access.

UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, and IOM are expanding services in primary healthcare, nutrition, education, protection, and livelihoods, helping families rebuild their lives with dignity.

On his side, Mohammed Abdiker (IOM) described the initiative as a model of unified humanitarian response.

He said: “Today’s event is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when government, UN agencies, and the international community work hand in hand to uphold dignity and access to services for all migrants, refugees, and host communities.”

EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the EU’s support for Egypt’s inclusive policies and resilience-building for host communities.

UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova added: “To sustain and scale this impact, we call for broader responsibility-sharing from public and private partners, bilateral and multilateral actors.”

UNHCR Representative Dr. Hanan Hamdan highlighted Egypt’s leadership in inclusive refugee response: “The Joint Platform reflects a collective conviction: that in the face of growing global displacement, funding scarcity, and regional instability, national leadership and international solidarity must come together.”

The platform, she noted, represents a whole-of-government and whole-of-UN approach, aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Government of Egypt and the United Nations closed the event by reaffirming their ongoing partnership and dedication to sustainable, inclusive solutions for migrants and refugees, ensuring no one is left behind.