The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced on Tuesday that a severe funding shortfall has forced the suspension of vital aid for refugees in Egypt.
This includes medical care for those fleeing war-torn Sudan.
The agency revealed that the lack of funds and uncertainty over future donor contributions have led to the suspension of medical treatment, except for life-saving emergencies.
Around 20,000 refugees are affected, including those requiring cancer treatment, heart surgeries, and medication for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Jakob Arhem, UNHCR’s public health officer, warned that without the agency’s services, many patients will face worsening conditions, with some unable to afford private care, leading to further illness and potential deaths.
In 2024, UNHCR received less than half of the $135 million needed to support over 939,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt, including those from Sudan and 60 other countries.
The agency has had to make difficult decisions, suspending crucial programs due to the funding crisis.
Sudanese refugees are particularly vulnerable, as Egypt hosts more than 1.5 million from Sudan, with 670,000 registered with UNHCR.
Since April 2023, the ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and paramilitaries has exacerbated the situation.
Many refugees fled with ill family members, unable to access healthcare in Sudan.
Programs supporting the most vulnerable—unaccompanied children, survivors of violence, and torture—are also at risk, further underscoring the urgent need for funding to prevent a humanitarian disaster.