Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development announced the upcoming launch of the “Social Responsibility and Decent Housing” conference, set to take place in June under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The high-level forum will bring together government bodies, major NGOs, and the private sector to address one of Egypt’s most pressing developmental priorities: improving substandard housing for vulnerable families across rural Egypt.
Local Development Minister, Dr. Manal Awad, held preparatory talks with Dr. Mohamed Rifai, CEO of Misr El Kheir Foundation, and Dr. Mahmoud Fouad, Vice President of Orman Association, alongside key officials from the Hayah Karima foundation and the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
92,000 Homes Identified for Intervention
Dr. Awad revealed that a rigorous joint assessment—carried out in coordination with governors, NGOs, and social welfare institutions—has identified approximately 92,000 homes in critical need of rehabilitation across the 1,477 villages included in Phase One of the Hayah Karima initiative. These villages are home to more than 18 million Egyptians.
“This effort complements the state’s historic investment of EGP 360 billion in infrastructure and public services within those same communities,” the minister said. “We must now ensure that the most disadvantaged families fully benefit from this upgraded environment.”
A National Partnership Model
The conference aims to establish a unified national platform that integrates:
- Government ministries and governors.
- Leading NGOs such as Misr El Kheir and Orman.
- CSR arms of banks, multinational corporations, and local firms.
The goal is to mobilize financial, technical, and logistical support to rehabilitate and upgrade the targeted homes in several structured phases, ensuring alignment with Egypt’s broader sustainable development goals.
Dr. Awad stressed the importance of turning the conference into a catalyst for long-term cooperation, particularly as major infrastructure projects within Phase One near completion. “This is not a one-off campaign. It’s a strategic turning point in how we build public-private-community alliances for integrated development,” she emphasized.
Civil Society at the Helm
Both Misr El Kheir and Orman have already implemented thousands of urgent home improvement interventions, funded by CSR programs and philanthropic partnerships. They bring deep field experience, especially in identifying the needs of Egypt’s poorest and most geographically remote communities.
Dr. Rifai and Dr. Fouad outlined recent successes in mobilizing CSR departments within Egypt’s banking and energy sectors, and called on other industries to expand their social impact beyond charity to sustainable development.
Toward a Unified Housing Strategy
The Ministry of Local Development has tasked its Central Unit for Hayah Karima with leading inter-agency coordination alongside the Ministry of Social Solidarity and NGO partners.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Awad instructed all parties to accelerate preparations, finalize home assessments, and align technical standards ahead of the June conference, which is expected to attract dozens of national and international partners.
