Egypt: UNHCR Egypt Inter-Agency Operational Update - Syrian Refugees in Egypt - December 2015

KEY FIGURES

524 Unaccompanied minors assisted
31,291 Refugees provided with cash grants in December 2015
62,034 Refugees received WFP food vouchers in December
2,174 Refugees submitted for Resettlement since the beginning of 2015
12,481 Refugees with specific needs identified in Syrian population
1,360 People provided with legal counseling since the beginning of 2015

FUNDING

USD 189,581,596 requested by agencies for 3RP response

PRIORITIES

• Improve access to basic health and education services through coordination and capacity building for selected government ministries.
• Save lives by enhancing targeting assistance and follow-up of most vulnerable cases.
  
• Enhance access to livelihoods and skills training both to enhance self-reliance in Egypt and to prepare for eventual return to Syria.
  
• Promote coexistence between Syrian communities and their Egyptian hosts.
  
• Coordinate protection response with particular emphasis on child protection, SGBV and prevention of irregular migration

HIGHLIGHTS

• UNHCR and Egypt Post signed an agreement regarding the disbursement of cash assistance for refugees in 2016 through the postal service. Partnering with Egypt Post ensures funds are distributed efficiently and reliably. At least 30,000 refugees will be able to access cash assistance at approximately 3,000 Egypt Post branches nationwide.
  
• UNHCR and UNICEF Egypt provided a one time winterization grant for the most vulnerable families of all nationalities registered with UNHCR in Egypt. This cash assistance supported families to secure winterization items and to stay warm, healthy, and protected.
  
• UNHCR participated in a conference organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to celebrate the “International Volunteer Day on 16th December 2015. UNHCR was part of a discussion panel with other UN agencies (UNV, UNDP and UNFPA) as well as different institutions and local NGOs working with volunteers to talk about obstacles and challenges they face.
• Following the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and "Orange Your World" Campaign, the dome at Cairo University was lit in orange on December 2nd in the spirit of a future free of violence against women.
  

UPDATE ON ACHIEVEMENTS

Operational Context

• As the Syrian conflict enters its fifth year, the refugee response in Egypt continues to address the rights and needs of Syrian refugees in Egypt, in addition to advocacy with the Government.
  
• Most Syrians in Egypt are living in urban neighborhoods, renting and sharing accommodation but also benefitting from access to public education and health care services. UNHCR conducts registration, provides counseling, and works with partners to provide legal assistance. Interagency operational partners also work to address the social, education and health needs of vulnerable Syrians in Egypt.
  
• The 3RP resilience component lead by UNDP aims to bring together humanitarian and resilience-based responses to achieve common objectives such protection and support for Syrians refugees and impacted host communities.