Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, met on Wednesday with Kaija Ollongren, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, along with her accompanying delegation, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was also attended by Dina El-Seirafy, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Global Partnerships.
Dr. Morsy welcomed the EU Special Representative and praised the longstanding cooperation between Egypt and the European Union across multiple development and social protection sectors.
Reviewing Egypt’s Social Protection Strategy
During the meeting, Morsy outlined Egypt’s evolving social protection framework, highlighting the country’s flagship conditional cash-transfer program Takaful and Karama, one of the largest of its kind in the region.
She noted that the program has supported nearly 8 million families over the past decade and currently provides monthly financial assistance to 4.7 million households, contributing significantly to reducing poverty, strengthening household resilience, and expanding access to education and healthcare.
Services for Vulnerable Groups and Crisis Response
The Minister also reviewed the wide range of services provided by the Ministry, including:
- Elderly care programs
- Support and inclusion services for persons with disabilities
- Economic empowerment initiatives
- Family and child welfare programs
Morsy further highlighted Egypt’s crisis-response mechanisms, emphasizing the key role of the Egyptian Red Crescent as the national body responsible for delivering humanitarian and relief aid.
She noted the organization’s extensive operations in delivering assistance to Gaza, as well as its humanitarian support to Sudan, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to regional stability and humanitarian diplomacy.
EU Representative Praises Egypt’s Social Efforts
For her part, Kaija Ollongren commended the Ministry’s efforts and the scope of its social programs, expressing her appreciation for Egypt’s work in strengthening social protection systems and supporting vulnerable communities.
In conclusion, she affirmed the European Union’s interest in expanding cooperation with the Ministry in the coming period, particularly in areas related to rights-based social policies, community development, and humanitarian coordination.
