UNFPA, Ahl Masr Burn Hospital Ink MoU to Support Survivors of Burn-Related Violence

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ahl Masr Burn Hospital to expand comprehensive services for women and girls who have survived burn-related violence, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The partnership will be a “Safe Women Clinic” within the hospital to provide free, integrated medical and psychological support for survivors. The clinic will also be incorporated into Egypt’s National Referral Pathway for Violence Against Women and Girls, a mechanism launched in 2019 under the leadership of the National Council for Women to coordinate services for survivors.

The initiative builds on a broader national program between UNFPA and the council, which has so far established 71 Safe Women Units across Egypt. Twenty of these units are based in major university hospitals, including Kasr al-Aini and Al-Demerdash, while others are located in governorates such as Minya, Alexandria, Kafr El-Sheikh, and the Suez Canal. An additional 51 units operate within Ministry of Health facilities to ensure access to essential services nationwide.

The new clinic will provide a range of services in a safe and supportive environment, including medical and psychological care, in-hospital referrals, and legal and social support.

The MoU signing was attended by senior representatives from both organizations and partners. From Ahl Masr, attendees included Ms. Iman Sherif, CEO of Ahl Masr Foundation and Burn Hospital, and Dr. Refaat Abdelmaksoud, CEO of Ahl Masr Burn Hospital. UNFPA was represented by Mr. Yves Sassenrath, UNFPA Representative in Egypt, and Ms. Germaine Haddad, Assistant Representative. The Royal Norwegian Embassy was represented by Minister Counsellor Per Øyvind Landemoen, Deputy Head of Mission.

Dr. Heba ElSewedy, founder of Ahl Masr, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to preserving women’s dignity and empowering survivors. She stressed the importance of providing a safe environment that enables women and girls to heal and rebuild their lives, noting that the initiative demonstrates how international cooperation can strengthen Egypt’s health sector and expand access to essential services.

In turn, Mr. Sassenrath described the partnership as “a critical intersection between health and gender-based violence,” adding that joint efforts will ensure comprehensive, multisectoral services for women and girls affected by burn-related violence.

Representing Norway, Landemoen reaffirmed his country’s commitment to gender equality and combating violence against women. “Through our partnership with UNFPA and the new MoU with Ahl Masr Burn Hospital, we are supporting models that provide survivors with lifesaving medical care alongside psychological, social, and vocational support, helping them recover with dignity and realize their potential,” he said.

As part of the agreement, a specialized training program will be launched for hospital staff to improve awareness and capacity in handling cases of violence, in line with UNFPA and World Health Organization global health guidelines.

Ahl Masr Burn Hospital emphasized that its mission goes beyond medical treatment, extending to psychological, social, and moral support for survivors. The hospital underscored its belief that recovery is only complete when survivors’ rights to safety, dignity, and a life free from violence and marginalization are fully protected.