UNHCR Egypt: Not All Sudanese in Egypt Are Refugees, Registration, Funding Efforts Ongoing

Christine Beshay, Communications Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Egypt, revealed that the UN agency is responsible for registering asylum seekers in Egypt on behalf of the Egyptian government, in accordance with international conventions.

Speaking to media, Beshay clarified that not all Sudanese nationals currently residing in Egypt fall under the legal definition of a refugee. “The UNHCR deals only with those officially registered in its system,” she explained, noting that others are handled by the Egyptian government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Beshay emphasized that the UNHCR is not a direct donor agency. “Our role is to advocate for funding from international donors to support the needs of refugees, and we are then responsible for distributing that funding,” she said.

She expressed concern over a significant funding shortfall in 2025, noting that while the UNHCR had appealed for \$137 million to support its operations in Egypt, only around \$38 million has been received so far. Globally, the agency has secured just \$5 billion in funding for refugee support during the current period.

Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Beshay reported that the UNHCR is currently receiving more than 3,000 new refugees per day. Due to limited resources, available support is being prioritized for the most vulnerable groups.

Despite the challenges, Beshay reassured refugees and asylum seekers that the registration process and the regularization of their residency in Egypt are ongoing. “Our offices remain open to receive and support them,” she said.

The statement comes amid growing pressures on Egypt’s infrastructure and resources as regional conflicts, particularly in Sudan, continue to drive displacement.