Cairo: Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani announced that the Egyptian government is collaborating with United Nations (UN) agencies to assess the financial burden of hosting refugees and foreign residents in the country.
According to State Information Service Egypt, El-Homsani stated in a televised address that the government aims to establish standardized criteria for calculating the costs associated with hosting refugees. This initiative will involve various ministries and governmental bodies to ensure a comprehensive approach. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly is closely overseeing the evaluation process, which aligns with internationally recognized standards in collaboration with UN agencies.
El-Homsani highlighted that the assessment considers both the direct costs incurred by the state budget and the essential services provided to refugees and foreign residents. Key services such as healthcare, energy, education, security, and electricity are part of the evaluation, with coordination from state institutions.
The government is nearing the completion of estimating the costs of hosting refugees and is developing strategies to manage these expenses. One of the assessment’s primary goals is to identify the financial impact of hosting refugees and integrate this data into broader economic planning.
El-Homsani emphasized that understanding these costs will assist decision-makers and provide insights into how they affect alternative spending priorities and wider economic and social strategies. The findings aim to create a framework for discussions with international donor organizations to secure necessary support for Egypt.
Given the substantial financial burden and ongoing regional and global economic challenges, Prime Minister Madbouly has stressed the importance of securing international support. El-Homsani noted that identifying the financial burden of hosting refugees and foreign residents is crucial to ensuring these costs can be covered with potential aid from donor countries.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Egypt currently hosts over 900,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers from 58 nationalities. As of 31 January 2025, UNHCR records indicate 630,958 Sudanese refugees, 144,557 Syrians, 39,765 Eritreans, and others from countries like Iraq, Yemen, and Somalia. Additionally, Egyptian officials and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimate that over nine million unregistered migrants and refugees reside in Egypt.
The influx of refugees, driven by regional conflicts and economic instability, has placed additional strain on Egypt’s infrastructure and public services.