WHO, JICA Sign Agreement to Boost Healthcare Access for Migrants, Refugees in Egypt

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Egypt has signed a technical assistance agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to strengthen healthcare services for migrants and refugees across the country.

The initiative will focus on the governorates of Cairo and Aswan, both of which host significant refugee and migrant populations.

Egypt currently hosts more than nine million migrants and refugees and has witnessed a recent surge in arrivals following the outbreak of the Sudan conflict 2023. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 1.5 million Sudanese have fled to Egypt since the conflict began, making it the largest recipient of Sudanese displaced persons.

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of the health needs of migrants, refugees, and host communities. This phase will include focus group discussions, regular coordination meetings with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population and national health bodies, as well as field visits to healthcare facilities.

Based on the assessment, a set of evidence-based recommendations will be developed, followed by targeted interventions aimed at improving access to sustainable and inclusive healthcare services. The program will prioritize vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, while also benefiting host communities.

Core activities will include training healthcare workers to enhance their capacity to deliver equitable and inclusive services to all, including migrants and refugees. The initiative will also provide essential medical supplies to health facilities.

In his remarks, Dr. Naima El-Sayed Abdel, WHO Representative in Egypt, praised the partnership, highlighting JICA’s continued support in addressing the health needs of displaced populations. She also commended Egypt’s humanitarian role in hosting large numbers of migrants and refugees and ensuring access to essential services.

In turn, Kubo Eiji, Chief Representative of JICA’s Sudan Office, said the agreement comes at a critical time amid the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the resulting influx into Egypt. He expressed hope that the initiative would help improve healthcare services for both affected populations and host communities.

WHO noted that its long-standing partnership with Japan has supported vulnerable groups in multiple contexts. In 2024, the organization signed an agreement with the Japanese government worth more than $8 million to support healthcare services for Palestinian patients evacuated from Gaza to Egypt for treatment.