Egypt Faces Surge in Refugees Fleeing Conflict

Egypt is experiencing a significant influx of refugees, with over 748,000 registered with the UNHCR. Most of these refugees are women and children fleeing the violent conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The number of Sudanese refugees in Egypt has increased nearly sevenfold since the conflict began, placing immense pressure on the country’s resources and services.
The surge in refugee arrivals has led to an urgent need for educational support. Currently, around 54% of newly arrived refugee children are out of school, according to recent assessments by UNICEF and the World Bank. This situation exacerbates the challenges faced by both the Government of Egypt and various humanitarian organizations in providing adequate learning spaces and educational services.
The 2024 Sudan Regional Refugee Response plan requires $109 million to address the education needs of refugees across the region. However, only 20% of this funding has been secured so far, including $4.3 million—40% of the requirement for Egypt. The shortfall in funding is impeding efforts to deliver quality education and support to refugee and host community children.
During a high-level mission to Egypt this week, representatives from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), UNHCR, and UNICEF highlighted the critical funding gap and called for increased international support. They emphasized the importance of education as a lifeline for displaced children, providing both protection and a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos of displacement.
Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, stressed the urgency of the situation. “Education is nothing less than a lifeline for children uprooted by conflict. It offers them protection and helps them heal and thrive. We call on international donors to increase their support urgently. The needs are rapidly outpacing the response, and additional resources are crucial for ensuring that all refugee and host community children have access to education,” she said.
Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to the Government of Egypt and the League of Arab States, also emphasized the need for enhanced international assistance. “Egypt has shown remarkable resilience and generosity, but the growing number of displaced individuals requires further support. Strengthening Egypt’s capacity to support refugees is essential for providing more children with access to education and a brighter future,” she noted.
Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, reiterated the commitment to supporting displaced Sudanese children through innovative educational initiatives. “UNICEF, in partnership with the Egyptian government and other UN agencies, is working to create inclusive learning environments and strengthen education systems. We urge the international community to stand in solidarity and provide the necessary resources to ensure that all children, both Egyptian and non-Egyptian, can realize their right to education,” he said.
In response to the crisis, ECW has allocated $2 million in First Emergency Response grants in Egypt, targeting over 20,000 Sudanese refugees in various governorates. This funding supports non-formal education, cash grants, social cohesion efforts, mental health support, and infrastructure improvements in schools. Additionally, ECW has committed $8 million in grants to other affected countries in the region and $28.7 million in Sudan for education needs.
ECW is calling for an additional $600 million to address the education needs of 20 million crisis-affected children by the end of its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The organization’s appeal underscores the critical need for increased funding to support the educational and protective needs of children displaced by conflict across the region.