UNHCR has suspended critical support for refugees in Egypt due to global funding cuts, affecting tens of thousands, especially Sudanese fleeing war. Without financial assistance, vital medical treatments and services are at risk, raising concerns over the lives of refugees who rely on UNHCR’s support. Urgent international action is needed to avoid further humanitarian crises.
The global humanitarian funding crisis has compelled the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to suspend critical aid programs for refugees in Egypt. This suspension particularly impacts tens of thousands of individuals who fled the ongoing conflict in Sudan, depriving them of essential medical treatments, child protection services, and various forms of assistance.
Due to insufficient funding and uncertainty regarding donor contributions, UNHCR has halted all medical treatments for refugees, with the exception of life-saving emergency procedures, thereby affecting approximately 20,000 patients. This suspension includes vital procedures such as cancer surgeries, chemotherapy, heart surgeries, and treatments for chronic ailments like diabetes and hypertension.
Sudanese refugees are among the most affected, having fled Egypt amid the brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that escalated in April 2023. Egypt, accommodating over 1.5 million Sudanese individuals, is facing immense pressure as more than 12.5 million Sudanese have been displaced from their homes, with over 3.7 million seeking refuge beyond their borders.
One affected individual, Abdelazim Mohamed, who escaped from Khartoum, stated that the lack of available medical treatment for his serious heart condition drove him to leave Sudan. He expressed, “When life became unbearable back home…I felt that staying in Sudan with my condition would be suicide.”
In Cairo, UNHCR Public Health Officer Jakob Arhem emphasized that many Sudanese refugees seek refuge not only from conflict but also in search of adequate healthcare. The collapse of the Sudanese health system has exacerbated their plight, yet many refugees cannot afford Egypt’s national health system fees. Consequently, UNHCR has been instrumental in providing access to vital health services, which are now at risk due to funding cuts.
Abdelazim, now reliant on medication for his health condition, fears for his life due to the withdrawal of support from UNHCR. He articulated his anxiety by stating, “I fought so hard to survive, but now, I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
In the previous year, UNHCR received under 50 percent of the $135 million needed to assist over 939,000 registered refugees. The recent drastic reductions in humanitarian funding have led to severe operational challenges for UNHCR, prompting difficult decisions regarding which critical programs must be discontinued.
Amidst the funding crises, UNHCR is striving to prioritize life-saving actions and assist vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors and survivors of violence. However, these programs are increasingly at risk due to the lack of financial support.
Farah Nassef, UNHCR’s Child Protection Officer in Egypt, highlighted the case of an unaccompanied young Sudanese man who lost critical support due to funding cuts. She noted, “Despite him having no family, no community support, it means that he will be left in an extremely dire and difficult situation.”
UNHCR is urgently calling upon all potential donors, including governments and individuals, to provide support to the refugees and displaced populations worldwide. Marti Romero, UNHCR Egypt’s Deputy Representative, remarked on the growing needs of Sudanese refugees, emphasizing the urgent requirement for sustained international support to prevent further exacerbation of the crisis facing both refugees and host communities.
The funding cuts faced by UNHCR have dire implications for Sudanese refugees in Egypt, significantly affecting their access to essential medical treatment and support services. With the ongoing humanitarian crisis escalating, it is imperative for the international community to urgently address these funding shortfalls. Continued support is crucial to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive the assistance they require to survive and rebuild their lives.
Original Source: www.unhcr.org
