Images of Sudanese refugees in Egypt
The face of the humanitarian crisis in the region is revealed in the harrowing images of Sudanese refugees in Egypt. With over 1.2 million Sudanese having fled to Egypt since the start of the civil war in April 2023, the crisis is reaching alarming proportions.
The United Nations calls Egypt the leading host country for Sudanese fleeing the conflict. However, despite the generosity of the Egyptian government and its commitment to providing international protection, the country’s resources and infrastructure are now stretched far beyond its limits.
Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative in Egypt and the Arab League, urgently appeals to the international community to support Egypt in this humanitarian effort. She stresses the urgent need to share responsibility for providing humanitarian and development assistance at a global level, as the burden on Egypt is unsustainable.
Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, it is crucial to put in place durable solutions. This includes creating pathways for resettlement and integration for refugees in a third country, to ensure their long-term stability and successful integration into their new communities.
The Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 has received funding of $1.52 billion, covering 56.3 per cent of the initial request of $2.7 billion. Despite this contribution, a significant funding gap persists, jeopardizing the provision of essential humanitarian needs for conflict-affected populations and their host communities.
The images of Sudanese refugees in Egypt remind us of the gravity of the crisis and the need for rapid and concerted action by the international community to support Egypt, offer a future for refugees, and ensure that hope persists when images of humanitarian crises often give way to oblivion.