Following the civil war outbreak in Sudan on April 15, 2023, around 8.2 million individuals have been displaced, and over 1.8 million have fled to neighboring countries like Chad and Egypt.
Despite the efforts of the UNHCR, more than 500,000 refugees, mostly women and children, have already crossed the borders into Egypt. The commission’s bureaus in Cairo and Alexandria receive 2,000-3,000 refugees daily who require immediate assistance.
Despite registering nearly 100,000 more refugees since the beginning of 2024, the number of unregistered refugees is staggering, exceeding 570,000. This number is expected to skyrocket, as an estimated 2.3 million Sudanese will leave Sudan for neighboring countries by the end of 2024.
The UNHCR has reported declining funding from major donors and has renewed its call for immediate action. A budget of $175.1 million is required to meet the urgent needs of Sudanese refugees in Egypt. These funds will be directed to 27 partners who will provide essential services such as protection, education, food security, healthcare, basic needs, job creation, economic integration, housing, sanitation, and access to water supply and wastewater networks for 500,000 refugees and members of the host communities.
Despite a 25 percent increase in UNHCR’s budget in 2023 compared to the previous year, more is needed to address the surge in refugee numbers. Immediate action is required to support the Sudanese refugees and provide them with the necessary aid and assistance.
