The Prime Minister of Egypt, Mostafa Madbouly, emphasized on Monday the importance of inventorying and monitoring the state’s contributions towards the care of “refugees”, whose numbers, according to some estimates, exceed nine million. During a meeting with several ministers, Madbouly highlighted the need for accurate counting of these numbers and the compilation of the state’s burdens in exchange for the services provided in various sectors to Egypt’s guests, ensuring they receive the best services, similar to Egyptians. The state’s various efforts to care for these millions need to be documented, as stated by the Prime Minister.
The ministers of Education, Health, Supply, and Social Solidarity reviewed the Egyptian state’s efforts to provide educational, health, and basic goods services to refugees. According to the Health and Population Minister, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, about nine million migrants and refugees from approximately 133 countries are living in Egypt, making up 8.7% of Egypt’s population, with 56% residing in five governorates including Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Dakahlia, and Damietta. It was also noted that 60% of migrants have been living in Egypt for about ten years, with 6% integrated into the Egyptian society for about 15 years or more, and 37% are employed in stable jobs and companies.
The Labor Minister presented the number of refugees who have obtained official work permits, noting that the number is very small and not proportional to the announced figures. The Local Development Minister confirmed that monitoring of refugee concentrations, their employment opportunities, and the services they enjoy is being conducted. The meeting also touched upon the Interior Ministry’s call for all individuals in Egypt to start taking steps to prove their residence, starting from January 1, 2024.
