Today, The Government of Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, and the United Nations, in collaboration with the European Union had a high-level event on the sidelines of Aswan Forum to highlight progress achieved under the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees — a coordinated effort to improve access to essential services and promote social cohesion among migrants, refugees, and host communities in Egypt.
The event was attended by H.E. Ambassador Amr El Sherbiny, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security, joined by Mr. Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt (RC), and Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt (EUD), Dr. Amr Kandil, Assistant Minister for Preventive Medicine, and Dr. Amr El Sobky Chairperson of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority alongside European Ambassadors, IOM MENA Regional Director, IOM Egypt Chief of Mission, and the UN Refugee Agency Representative (UNHCR) in Egypt , UNICEF Representative in Egypt and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Egypt.
“I wish to reaffirm the critical importance of operationalizing the principle of burden- and responsibility-sharing, as outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees. Supporting host countries requires a collective effort and sustained international solidarity. In this spirit, we call upon our international partners to continue strengthening cooperation and providing increased funding to ensure the continuity of services for both refugees and host communities, in a fair and sustainable manner.” Said Ambassador Amr El Sherbiny, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security during his opening remarks.
The event highlighted the tangible ongoing impact of the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees, which brings together UN agencies, government institutions, and development partners to enhance access to essential services, improve protection systems, and promote social cohesion across Egypt. It also demonstrated Egypt’s inclusive approach — ensuring that everyone in need, regardless of nationality, has access to compassionate, quality care.
“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 the dignity and access to essential services for all migrants, refugees, and host communities. This integrated partnership reflects a broader commitment to inclusion, partnership, and human-centered approach.” Said Mr. Mohammed Abdiker, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration.
Through the Joint UN Programme funded by the European Union, WHO is implementing the “Healthcare Expenses Coverage Programme (HECP)”, a programme whereby WHO covers the medical expenses incurred by Sudanese patients at EHA hospitals. Complementing these efforts, IOM provided convoys of lifesaving medicines and medical supplies to ten EHA healthcare facilities in Aswan aiming to maintain healthcare operations, prevent medicine shortages, and strengthen the capacity of local hospitals to meet the needs of displaced and vulnerable populations.
EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst emphasized the EU’s ongoing support for Egypt’s efforts to improve services to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, as well as to strengthen host communities’ resilience for refugees hosted in Egypt.
“This is a clear example of how coordination and partnership can deliver real impact. But to sustain it, we need more partners. Egypt’s generous role in hosting and supporting displaced populations must be met with a matching commitment from the international community. To sustain and scale this impact, we call for broader responsibility-sharing, from public and private partners, bilateral and multilateral actors, so that the response to displacement is shared equitably and sustainably.” Said Ms. Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt.
“The Joint Platform reflects a collective conviction: that in the face of growing global displacement, funding scarcity, unprecedented regional escalation, national leadership and international solidarity must come together. The platform is a robust exemplary model of Egypt’s strong leadership fostering a vision of a whole-of-Government and a whole-of-UN approach. The Joint Programme brings together partners to address the growing needs of refugees, migrants and affected host communities, achieving impactful results,” said Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to the Government of Egypt and to the League of Arab States.
In addition to these efforts, UNHCR, UNICEF, together with IOM and WHO are expanding primary health care, nutrition, community-based protection, education, and livelihood programmes, ensuring that families can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope and that systems can provide the support needed. These collective efforts demonstrate the power of partnership — turning challenges into opportunities and strengthening Egypt’s leadership as a model of solidarity and inclusion.
In closing, the Government of Egypt and the United Nations in Egypt reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable solutions for migrants, refugees, and host communities. The progress highlighted today demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration—ensuring that no one is left behind. As Egypt continues to lead by example, the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees stands as a testament to what can be achieved through unity, compassion, and a steadfast dedication to human dignity.
