Egypt soon to launch national project to develop villages as part of ‘Haya Karima’

CAIRO – 20 May 2021: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting Wednesday to follow up on the executive stance of the national project for the development of Egyptian villages that is part of the initiative “Haya Karima,” which is soon to be launched.

This national project will be official launched soon by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to Madbouly.

He said that the implementation phase has already begun, aiming to improve the quality of life for the people in the Egyptian countryside, and raise the efficiency of the services provided to them.

There will be interventions by multiple ministries to reach the goal of the project.

First Assistant to Prime Minister Randa el-Minshawi explained that project targets the establishment of 188 new schools and the maintenance of 1,227 educational buildings, in addition to building 317 government complexes at the level of the targeted villages, lining canals, raising of efficiency and replacement of 617 bridges, establishing 891 youth centers and 149 playgrounds, establishing and equipping 22 hospitals, and establishing, developing and raising the efficiency of 1,274 centers and 381 ambulance points.

She further added that a detailed study has been prepared of the needs and tasks required in the electricity sector, and a number of social services facilities are being prepared, including rehabilitation centers, family and child services centers, nurseries, community schools, literacy classes, units for early detection of disability, and workshops for vocational training and family support.

The meeting was attended by a number of ministers, including: Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr. Mohammed Shaker, Engineer Tariq Al-Mulla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dr. Tariq Shawqi, Minister of Education and Technical Education, Dr. Hala Al-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, and Major General Mahmoud Sharawi, Minister of Local Development, Dr. Hala Zayed, Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Asim Al-Jazzar, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Nevin Al-Qabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity, Nevin Gamea, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Major General Ihab El-Far, the Chairman of the Engineering Authority for the Armed Forces, and Aya Omar, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the "Haya Karima" Foundation.

About Haya Karima

In 2020, Haya Karima or “Decent Life” was announced as a non-profit organization to implement the objectives of the initiative. A cooperation between three main ministries: Local Development, Social Solidarity and Planning, in addition to the participation of 16 civil society institutions.

The initiative has provided financial support to the most needy citizens, as well as services including medical, residential and job opportunities.

A study by the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies has revealed how the social initiative “Haya Karima” has changed the livelihoods in the Egyptian villages.

The study said that there was 75 percent of the villages in Egypt suffer apparent shortage in some development sectors, services and facilities such as clean water networks, sanitation and gas, electricity, schools and hospitals.

The study has confirmed that “Haya Karima” has worked to improve the standard of living and provide job opportunities in small and medium enterprises for the poor in the most needy areas.

The second phase of the Haya Karima initiative will target 4,670 villages in the coming two years.