Egypt

Egypt hosts conference on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

On Monday, Egypt hosted an international conference in Cairo to garner humanitarian support for Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of conflict between Hamas and Israel. The event was attended by numerous senior regional and Western officials, as well as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and other top UN representatives, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry. The conference was convened amid a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly in the northern regions, which have been nearly cut off from the rest of the Strip for almost two months. Discussions at the conference focused on the political, security, and humanitarian challenges in Gaza, with a particular emphasis on supporting the operations of UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees. On Sunday, UNRWA announced it would suspend aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza’s main cargo entry point, due to the threat of armed groups looting aid convoys. The agency cited the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, which it attributed to Israel’s policies. This move by UNRWA could exacerbate Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation, as a second cold and rainy winter approaches. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in overcrowded and unsanitary tent camps, heavily dependent on international aid. Experts have warned of the potential for famine in Gaza’s northern regions, which have been almost entirely isolated by Israeli forces since early October. In response, Israel’s military body responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid to Gaza stated on X (formerly Twitter) that it would continue to work with the international community to increase aid deliveries through Kerem Shalom and other crossings. It also claimed that in November, UNRWA coordinated less than 10% of the aid that entered Gaza.

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IMF backs Egypt’s reforms, addresses global economic challenges

IMF Highlights Progress in Egypt’s Reforms, Assesses Global Economic Challenges The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reiterated its support for Egypt’s reform program, noting significant progress despite ongoing economic difficulties exacerbated by regional tensions. Speaking in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack praised Egypt’s commitment to key reforms designed to ensure macroeconomic stability. The IMF recently completed a mission to Egypt, making headway in discussions for the fourth review of the country’s 46-month loan program, which was approved in 2022 and expanded to $8 billion earlier this year. The program aims to address Egypt’s severe economic challenges, including high inflation and foreign currency shortages. Completing the review could unlock an additional $1.2 billion in financing for the country. Limited Economic Impact of Spain’s Floods The IMF also addressed the economic effects of the recent devastating floods in Spain, offering condolences to those impacted. While the floods caused significant damage in some areas, Kozack noted that the broader economic impact has been limited. Key infrastructure sectors such as transport and industry saw only minor disruptions. A more detailed assessment will be provided in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook update in January. Argentina’s Stabilization Efforts Show Progress The IMF also pointed to signs of economic stabilization in Argentina, following a challenging year of contraction. As the country works on restructuring its $44 billion loan with the IMF, Kozack reported progress in Argentina’s stabilization program, including reduced inflation, fiscal surpluses, stronger reserve coverage, and early signs of recovery in economic activity and real wages. The IMF pledged continued support to help Argentina maintain these gains and address remaining challenges. These updates underscore the IMF’s ongoing efforts to assist member countries in tackling complex economic issues and implementing reforms necessary for long-term stability.

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