UNHCR and Rotary Egypt signing a general cooperation agreement to work together on their shared commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.
To commemorate World Refugee Day and as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, marks its 70th Anniversary in Egypt, UNHCR and Rotary Egypt have signed a general cooperation agreement on 25 June in Cairo to work together on their shared commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.
Under the agreement facilitated by the Rotary Disaster Relief Committee, Rotary Egypt will extend its support to UNHCR programmes and services across all governorates over a two-year period until June 2026. This support will be channelled through the various committees and 136 clubs within Rotary Egypt with over 3,000 members. The activities will encompass cash grants to UNHCR Egypt to bolster its programmes, free-of-charge services to refugees and asylum seekers, such as capacity building to promote refugee livelihood skills, and health care services such as surgeries, examinations, etc.
“We thank Rotary Egypt for the support and the inclusion it offers refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt and how it availed its valuable services through the different expertise of its members. UNHCR always welcomes all civil society efforts of inclusion to support the growing needs of people forced to flee,” said Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to the Government of Egypt and to the League of Arab States.
Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, the Rotary Disaster Relief Committee has been actively involved in supporting Sudanese refugees in Egypt, facilitating employment and distributing food packages to approximately 500 Sudanese refugees during Ramadan. Additionally, and as part of their commitment towards education for refugees, the Committee has provided education grants to around 120 school-aged refugee children.
“It is our duty to assist UNHCR in its work with refugees in Egypt. Rotary and UNHCR have been collaborating worldwide on refugee issues and Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace,” said Mr. Ayman Nazih, 2023-2024 Governor of Rotary Egypt – District 2451.
Since November 2023, the Rotary Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Committee in Alexandria has utilized its exhibition space and network to promote handmade products crafted by refugee artisans and artists. This initiative will continue in future exhibitions, events, and other activities such as art therapy and awareness sessions. More recently, the Rotary Club of Cairo Platinum organized a medical convoy in the Faisal area of Cairo to provide healthcare to 170 Sudanese refugees. The medical staff distributed medicines and conducted health checks, including tests for hearing, balance, heart health, and blood sugar levels. Additionally, the convoy provided education on the early detection of uterine and breast cancer.
The signing was attended by Dr. Hamdan, Mr. Nazih, Dr. Jacquline Wilson, Chair of the Disaster Relief Committee, Mrs. Somaya El Nayal, Head of Social Media of Disaster Relief Committee, Mrs. Sahar Sobein, Chair of Ethics Committee, Dr. Ihab Hanna, Chair of the Disease Prevention Committee, Dr. Abrar Ibrahim, President of Rotaract Alexandria and Head of SAT Oncology, Mr. Eraj Imomberdiev, Assistant Representative at UNHCR Egypt, Mr. Naoufel Tounsi, Head of Office at UNHCR Alexandria, and several other UNHCR colleagues.
This partnership with Rotary International, Egypt-District 2451, a service organization with over 95 years of community work in Egypt, is a part of UNHCR’s ongoing efforts to engage civil society institutions in supporting the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.
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