On the sidelines of the World Health Summit 2025, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with Ms. Birgit Steffter, representative of Friedensdorf International, to deepen medical and humanitarian support for children harmed by armed conflicts—especially in Gaza.
The meeting, held in the presence of Egypt’s Ambassador to Germany, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Sattar El-Badri, marked a pivotal moment in Egypt’s ongoing commitment to international health cooperation and relief efforts in conflict zones.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized Egypt’s resolve to scale up its partnerships with humanitarian organizations, reaffirming that the country would continue to deliver comprehensive medical care and reduce the suffering of civilians, particularly children, in war-torn areas like Gaza.
“Egypt is committed to extending care beyond its borders. Our priority is to provide urgent medical aid and long-term health solutions to the most vulnerable, especially children who have experienced the trauma of war,” said Dr. Abdel Ghaffar.
Expanding Cooperation with Friedensdorf International
Friedensdorf International, a German-based humanitarian organization founded in 1967, specializes in delivering free medical care to children impacted by war and crises. The organization facilitates treatment for severely injured children in Germany and runs on-ground initiatives in conflict-affected countries.
During the Berlin meeting, both sides explored ways to launch joint medical and rehabilitation programs in Egypt. These initiatives would focus on physical therapy, prosthetics, psychosocial care, and peace education for children.
The two parties also discussed logistical coordination to simplify travel arrangements for children and their families who need urgent care in Germany. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar and Ms. Steffter considered steps to align with both nations’ health and immigration regulations, aiming to accelerate cross-border medical interventions.
Egypt’s Medical Response to the Gaza Crisis
Egypt has emerged as a key regional player in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the escalation of violence, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has mobilized resources to care for thousands of displaced and injured Palestinians.
According to Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s official spokesperson, Egypt has prepared 37 strategic hospitals and over 300 medical facilities across all 27 governorates to handle the influx of patients from Gaza. Medical teams have already performed over 4,800 surgical procedures—2,600 of them classified as major surgeries—and conducted more than 89,000 medical examinations.
The ministry has provided 14,000 dialysis sessions, vaccinated over 13,200 children against polio and measles, and evacuated nearly 1,900 patients for treatment in 13 partner countries. Specialized clinics have also delivered care to more than 104,000 Palestinian patients inside Egypt.
Looking Toward a Shared Humanitarian Future
The dialogue between Egypt and Friedensdorf International signals a strategic push to internationalize medical care for children affected by conflict. Both parties expressed interest in forming long-term partnerships that would bring advanced rehabilitation services to Egypt and create a sustainable support system for children recovering from trauma.
By aligning Egypt’s medical infrastructure with Friedensdorf’s international expertise, the two sides hope to offer a model for humanitarian collaboration that prioritizes child welfare, medical equity, and peacebuilding.
As the World Health Summit 2025 continues in Berlin, Egypt’s active role underscores the importance of global cooperation in health diplomacy—and the urgent need to protect the youngest victims of war.
