Egypt stressed the importance of international efforts to find sustainable solutions to refugee issues. This requires a comprehensive perspective that considers both the humanitarian and development dimensions.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the world celebrates refugees who were forced to leave their homelands in search of a decent and safe life. This day represents an important opportunity to highlight the suffering of these individuals and to show solidarity with them and with the host communities that receive them.
In a global context of worsening crises and natural disasters, Egypt continues to provide a safe haven for those forced to leave their country. It deals with them from a humanitarian perspective, ensuring a dignified life on its territory.
Egypt emphasises the need to mobilise resources to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and support the countries that host them based on the principle of equitable burden- and responsibility-sharing.
Egypt commends the role of international organisations concerned with asylum and migration issues. It reiterates its commitment to continue cooperation and coordination with those organisations and to strengthen their efforts in the area of peace-building and sustainable development to address the root causes of the refugee phenomenon.
Egypt praises UNHCR’s slogan on the occasion of Refugee Day this year, “Hope away from home for a more inclusive world for refugees,” as a public call to support refugees and help them and their host countries rebuild their lives so that they can voluntarily and safely return home when conditions permit.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi praised the Egyptian government and people for what they have done for the refugees to empower them economically. He said, “It is an example of hospitality, generosity, and humanity to provide a safe haven to thousands of refugees and others forced to flee.”
Grandi appealed to the international community to stand with governments and civil society organisations shoulder-to-shoulder and to continue providing support to the refugees.
UNHCR is working to promote the livelihoods and economic integration of refugees, advocating support for their right to work, and providing them with the necessary assistance to become more adaptable and achieve self-reliance.
The Egyptian government and civil society cannot shoulder the burden of the refugees alone, Grandi said. There must be a strong international response to the refugees’ suffering.
Resources must be made available to Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the UN agencies working in Egypt, especially the UNHCR, which is constantly leading the humanitarian effort, he added.
“The UNHCR has succeeded in enabling a number of refugees in Egypt to earn their living and participate in local economies by working to give them skills in marketing, feasibility studies, and the opening of markets inside and outside Egypt via the Internet,” he said.
“The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is mobilising support, bringing together stakeholders and encouraging cooperation among them in coordination with governments, humanitarian and development actors, the private sector, and other partners to improve refugees’ integration and access to employment, entrepreneurship, services, and related programs.”
