Ghada Waly: Egypt guarantees refugees’ rights

CAIRO – 7 November 2017: Egypt has a firm stance against the establishment of refugee camps as it absorbs the flow of refugees without any barriers, aiming to integrate them within the Egyptian society, said the Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Waly.

Waly’s statement came during one of the sessions at the World Youth Forum (WYF) on Tuesday, discussing the Egyptian experience in hosting refugees.

Waly confirmed that Egypt is working on guaranteeing that refugees are provided with social, economic and health services like Egyptians, are protected from any risks, and have access to fair and effective asylum procedures.

She added that Egypt has the highest school enrollment rates for Syrian refugees at about 40,000 Syrian students, adding that around 14,000 Syrian refugees are enrolled in Egyptian universities, according to the statistics of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Egypt closely cooperates with the United Nation agencies on issues pertaining to refugees, immigration and human trafficking besides other relevant international organizations such as NGOs and the UNHCR.

On this regard, civil society organizations cooperate with the government and international partners to provide food aid, relief materials and technical assistance to refugees meeting their basic needs; creating economic chances for them and protecting women and children from violence and exploitation. Between 2014 and 2017, the government funded LE 157 million ($8.9 million) into NGOs.

On the other hand, Egypt exerts efforts in combating illegal immigration as the Immigration Control Act was passed in 2016 and two action plans were issued to combat illegal immigration.

At the same time, one of the Iraqi refugees Mohammed Jassim extended his gratitude to the Egyptian government for their support; pointing out Egyptians’ generous treatment.

The third day of the World Youth Forum kicked off Tuesday with world leaders and experts discussing more youth-related issues in different parallel sessions.

At the main hall, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi participated in a morning session titled “Challenges and Issues Facing World Youth: Means to Overcome Towards Building a Better Future,” along with the Chadian president, business tycoon Naguib Sawiris and other youth participants.

In parallel, others sessions will discuss the Egyptian experience in hosting refugees, youths’ potential in achieving development and the promotion of youth participation in decision-making.

Egypt’s first international youth event is set to run until November 10, bringing together 3,000 youth represented by 60 delegations from around the world.

The seven-day gathering witnesses the participation of official youth representatives over 18 years old, leaders of various youth networks, heads of state, media figures and around 250 young Egyptian expats. It is held under the theme "We Need to Talk."

The WYF sends a message of peace, prosperity, harmony and love to the entire world. It is considered a strong opportunity for youth globally to communicate with each other.

The idea of holding an international youth conference in Egypt was made during the third National Youth Conference in Ismailia, and it was approved by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. In July, the president announced organizing the WYF in Sharm El-Sheikh during the fourth National Youth Conference in Alexandria.