UNHCR Suspends Medical Aid in Egypt Amid Funding Crisis: A Dire Situation for Refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced a significant suspension of medical assistance for refugees in Egypt, citing severe cuts in international funding. This decision, described as both regrettable and unavoidable, underscores the growing challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in supporting vulnerable populations worldwide.
Funding Shortfall Hits Hard: Impact on 20,000 Refugees
Primarily, the suspension will affect approximately 20,000 refugees, most of whom are Sudanese relying on UNHCR’s medical support for chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Meanwhile, the organization can only maintain emergency care for life-threatening cases, leaving other essential services on hold until new financial resources emerge. This drastic measure highlights the dire consequences of reduced global aid.
Egypt’s Refugee Burden: A Regional Hub Under Pressure
Significantly, Egypt hosts over 900,000 registered refugees, predominantly from Sudan, Syria, and Eritrea, according to UNHCR statistics from late 2024. Consequently, this makes Egypt one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the region. For instance, more than 450,000 Sudanese have fled to Egypt since the civil war erupted in April 2023, joining hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Eritreans already seeking safety there.
Global Funding Crisis: U.S. Policy Shift Adds Strain
Moreover, the UNHCR faces a global funding crisis, worsened by the new U.S. administration’s decision in January 2025 to freeze foreign aid for 90 days to review programs. Previously, the United States, the agency’s largest donor, contributed over $2 billion in 2024, funding critical healthcare and relief efforts in countries like Egypt. Now, this suspension threatens the lifeline for many.
Chronic Illnesses at Risk: A Humanitarian Dilemma
Particularly, refugees with chronic conditions will suffer most, as the UNHCR’s spokesperson emphasized during a Geneva press conference. Many patients, unable to afford medications or treatment independently, relied on clinics and programs in Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria. However, these services, once robust, are now reduced to a bare minimum.
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