Egypt

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Egypt

Working environment

The context

Egypt continues to be both a transit country, as well as one that receives refugees. While it is signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, domestic asylum procedures have yet to be developed. Meanwhile, UNHCR continues to carry out registration and refugee status determination processes (RSD).

In 2011-2012, UNHCR saw an increase in the registration of new asylum-seekers in Egypt, especially from Sudan and South Sudan. Accelerated RSD procedures were put in place for Sudanese asylum-seekers from Darfur, and the Office began individual RSD interviews for asylum-seekers from South Kordofan and Blue Nile State.

The deteriorating situation in the Syrian Arab Republic also increased the number of Syrians approaching UNHCR for registration. To date, close to 5,000 Syrians have been registered, although many more are reported to have arrived in Egypt.

More than 1,700 people of concern who fled the conflict in Libya in 2011 and are awaiting durable solutions remain at Saloum, at the Egypt-Libya border. UNHCR is providing them with food and essential services, as well as carrying out registration, conducting RSD and making referrals for resettlement. In early 2012, UNHCR was authorized by the Egyptian Government to set up a camp within the port area of Saloum where adequate shelter and basic services could be provided.

The needs

The detention of those moving irregularly, including asylum-seekers, has increased, with access to unregistered asylum-seekers remaining very limited. This increase is adding to the workload of UNHCR staff conducting protection assessment interviews, and putting a strain on financial resources for the provision of legal aid.

The irregular movement of people into Israel continued in 2012, with a new pattern of victims escaping traffickers, reaching Cairo and seeking asylum. Since January 2012, UNHCR has registered some 70 victims of trafficking and provided them with specialized protection and assistance. Should this trend continue, additional human and financial resources will be needed to address the problem.

In 2013, UNHCR will reduce the number of people receiving financial assistance due to budgetary limitations. This may add to the protection risks of people of concern who have to resort to other means of providing for their families.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Favourable protection environment

Access to legal assistance and remedies is improved.

• Some 200 people of concern receive legal assistance.

• Around 400 government officials are trained to raise awareness on legal issues.

The public attitude towards persons of concern is improved.

• Some 20 interviews with the media are conducted to raise awareness of the plight of the displaced.

• A training session on UNHCR's work in Egypt and refugee issues is provided for media representatives.

Fair protection processes and documentation

The quality of registration and profiling is improved or maintained.

• Some 6,000 individuals are registered with a minimum set of required data.

Access to and quality of RSD procedures is improved.

• UNHCR RSD procedure is implemented smoothly; staffing capacity is strengthened to process the increase in cases.

Civil registration and civil-status documentation programmes are strengthened.

• Some 550 children are registered and issued documentation under regular birth registration procedures.

Security from violence and exploitation

The risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is reduced and the quality of the response to it is improved.

• Victim/survivor referral mechanisms are established and sustained.

• Some 30 survivors or victims' families receive legal assistance.

• Safe houses are arranged.

• Around 120 people are counselled.

The protection of children is strengthened.

• Some 300 unaccompanied and separated minors benefit from alternate-care arrangements.

• Around 200 adolescents participate in targeted programmes.

• Some 120 Best Interest Determination interviews are conducted.

• A UNHCR child-protection focal point is appointed.

Basic needs and essential services

The population of concern has optimal access to reproductive health and HIV services.

• Voluntary counselling and testing are provided free of charge.

• Access to free maternal and new-born services is assured.

• Some 100 persons receive treatment for opportunistic infections and 25 receive anti-retroviral therapy.

The health of the population of concern improves or remains stable.

• Access to primary health care facilities is ensured.

• Some 1,200 people are referred to specialist medical services.

• Access to essential drugs is provided.

Optimal access to education is provided for the population of concern.

• Some 5,000 children are enrolled in primary education.

• Around 3,000 students are enrolled in secondary education.

• Some 350 teachers are trained.

• Around 880 children attend pre-school day care.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• Some 1,200 people receive cash grants to assist with return.

• Near 1,200 people are provided with safe and dignified returnee transport.

The potential for resettlement is realized.

• Some 200 cases, including women and girls at risk, are identified for resettlement.

• Near 2,000 resettlement submissions are made.

Strategy and activities in 2013

Advocacy for more protection space and access to basic social services for refugees remain priorities, along with the search for durable solutions. As Cairo is a pilot city for UNHCR's policy on refugee protection and solutions in urban areas, refugees will benefit from new strategies for health care and education. In 2013, UNHCR will focus on self-reliance, social services, psychosocial support for vulnerable refugees and community mobilization. It will also deploy mobile registration teams in Alexandria. In addition, UNHCR will work on voluntary repatriation and resettlement to maximize opportunities for durable solutions.

In collaboration with its partners, UNHCR will continue its work to reduce the risk of SGBV and improve the quality of its response. In 2011 and 2012, inter-agency coordination was strengthened and the intake and assessment form was revised.

The referral network that provides SGBV survivors and victims of trafficking with safe houses, health and legal services, livelihoods and psychosocial and financial support, was expanded.

UNHCR expects to remain in Saloum to assist those of concern pending their resettlement or the implementation of other durable solutions in 2013.

Constraints

The protection space in Egypt remains limited. Prospects for voluntary repatriation remain uncertain for most refugees, while resettlement opportunities are a durable solution for only a minority.

For most people of concern in Saloum, however, resettlement continues to be the only solution. UNHCR will work with IOM on voluntary return programmes for rejected asylum-seekers.

The promotion of self-reliance in Egypt's urban refugee situation is hampered by the lack of a legal asylum framework, high unemployment and limited opportunities for refugees in the informal sector.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

In 2013, UNHCR will work closely with the Refugee Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior. Partnerships with international and national NGOs will continue alongside efforts to diversify the range of local partners, especially with respect to the livelihoods/self-reliance sector. UNHCR will expand cooperation with the main universities in Cairo, other UN agencies, the League of Arab States and the Arab Parliament.

Financial information

The budget for Egypt has gone down from USD 24.7 million in 2012 to USD 23.4 million in 2013.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

UNHCR contact information