Impact of Funding Cuts on Sudanese Refugees in Egypt: A…

UNHCR has suspended life-saving support for Sudanese refugees in Egypt due to funding cuts, significantly affecting access to crucial medical services for tens of thousands. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced millions, with Egypt hosting over 1.5 million refugees. Without increased donor contributions, critical humanitarian programs are at risk, jeopardizing the well-being of the most vulnerable populations.

The recent funding cuts have jeopardized the well-being of Sudanese refugees in Egypt, compelling UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to halt crucial life-saving support. This suspension affects tens of thousands of refugees, many of whom fled the violent conflict in Sudan, leaving them without essential medical treatment and child protection services. With severe financial constraints and uncertainty surrounding donor contributions, approximately 20,000 patients will only receive emergency life-saving medical care, including critical procedures like chemotherapy and heart surgery.

Sudan’s ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has driven over 1.5 million Sudanese to seek refuge in Egypt, with around 670,000 registered with UNHCR. In total, more than 12.5 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, including over 3.7 million who are now refugees in various countries. Among those affected is Abdelazim Mohamed, a 54-year-old refugee suffering from a severe heart condition, who emphasizes the dire situation they face amid medical access shortages.

Jakob Arhem, a Public Health Officer for UNHCR in Cairo, highlighted the dire implications of the cuts, noting that the collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system led many families to flee due to a lack of available medical treatment. While refugees can access Egypt’s national health system, cost remains a significant barrier for most, rendering UNHCR’s affordable healthcare programs essential for many.

Abdelazim, who initially received treatment for his heart condition through UNHCR, expressed his fear as his access to necessary medications is now in jeopardy. Last year, UNHCR met less than half of its $135 million funding target, which was intended to assist a significant number of refugees. This ongoing reduction in funding has necessitated difficult decisions regarding which essential programs will continue.

Currently, UNHCR is focusing on life-saving activities for the most vulnerable refugees, including unaccompanied minors and survivors of violence. However, the scarcity of resources threatens to compromise these vital support systems. Farah Nassef, a Child Protection Officer at UNHCR Egypt, highlighted the plight of an unaccompanied young man whose care was recently withdrawn, leaving him in a precarious situation without support.

UNHCR is urging all stakeholders, including governments and individuals, to provide immediate assistance to address the escalating needs of refugees, especially those fleeing from Sudan. Marti Romero, UNHCR’s Deputy Representative in Egypt, emphasized the urgent need for increased international support to mitigate the pressure on Egypt’s resources and prevent further suffering among both refugees and host communities. The global humanitarian crisis necessitates immediate action to sustain life-saving aid for millions in need.

The funding cuts have created a grave humanitarian crisis for Sudanese refugees in Egypt, disrupting essential medical support and heightening the vulnerability of many individuals. The situation calls for urgent intervention from international donors to ensure continued support for life-saving programs. The plea from UNHCR is clear: without immediate action and funding, the prospects for refugees will only worsen, leading to further hardships for both them and host communities.

Original Source: www.unhcr.org