The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population, other key Egyptian ministries and the Egyptian Red Crescent Society, has announced an initiative to provide urgent support to over 100,000 vulnerable children, their caregivers, and medical evacuation patients in Egypt. Supported by a €5.4 million grant from the European Union, this initiative will also enhance essential services, and resilience for host communities in the Governorate of North Sinai and nearby areas.

This support from the European Union will ensure comprehensive humanitarian assistance to medically evacuated Palestinian children, their caregivers, and their host communities in Egypt. It will address the immediate needs in North Sinai and surrounding governorates, focusing on improving access to essential health and nutrition services, ensuring continuous quality education, providing psychosocial support, delivering integrated social care, and maintaining safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Additionally, the initiative will strengthen the capacity of health and social care professionals and fortify the health system’s response capacity to future crises through improved secondary and tertiary care capabilities.

On this occasion, Mr. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt stated: “Our commitment through this initiative is not just about urgently required assistance to vulnerable children but also about building resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing challenges. We value our partnership with the European Union, the Egyptian Government, and the Egyptian Red Crescent. We must ensure that critical services reach every child, and we reaffirm our commitment not to leave any child behind during these critical times.”

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union: “Alleviating the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza is our utmost priority, especially when it comes to children. The EU and its Member States are the biggest humanitarian donor for the people in Gaza. With this €5.4 million grant, we continue to provide concrete support to UNICEF, that in cooperation with the Egyptian authorities, will bringrelief to over 100 000 vulnerable children. What is happening in Gaza is a tragedy, only a ceasefire through the ongoing negotiations will be able to halt the suffering of the civilian population.”