IOM, Japan Cooperate on Project to Support Comm in Egypt Affected by Sudan Crisis

The Government of Japan has provided the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with USD 1.1 million to support host communities and migrants in Egypt affected by the crisis in Sudan, including Sudanese new arrivals and third-country nationals (TCNs).

The project aims to provide humanitarian assistance, including protection, medical, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to the targeted populations. It also aims to create complementarity with the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees which was established in 2021 bringing together the Government of Egypt, United Nations agencies, development partners, donors including Japan, civil society and other stakeholders.

Carlos Oliver Cruz, IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission, said: “This funding will directly address the humanitarian needs of Sudanese arrivals, TCNs and host community members, providing essential protection, medical assistance, and MHPSS. IOM greatly appreciates the continued support of the Government of Japan to address the growing humanitarian needs.” 

Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, H.E. Oka Hiroshi said: “The crisis in Sudan has caused a lot of pain and hardship for Sudanese people for more than a year. Japan remains supportive of those who are affected and values the support of the Egyptian government and people to welcome and assist Sudanese to relieve their distress.”  

Since the outbreak of the conflict, IOM Egypt has supported more than 53,000 beneficiaries through the distribution of relief items as well as through the provision of direct assistance, voluntary humanitarian return for third country nationals, and other assistance under the inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan (3RP).

However, the needs remain high. More than 123,000 Sudanese affected individuals were registered by IOM for direct protection and medical assistance, sometimes with urgent needs for medical intervention and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and the number continues to increase daily.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 514,827 people including Sudanese affected population, Egyptian returnees, and Third-Country Nationals have fled the conflict in Sudan to Egypt, making it one of the largest recipient countries of people fleeing Sudan. [1]

The collaboration between the Government of Japan and IOM Egypt is a continuation of a long-standing partnership. In 2021, the Government of Japan supported IOM Egypt with its COVID-19 response by empowering women, migrants and host communities in Egypt to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 through MHPSS services which has positively impacted more than 33,000 individuals.