EGY Comprehensive Protection for Refugees (CPR)

- Between March 2023 and March 2025, an estimated 1.5 million Sudanese forcibly displaced persons have crossed into Egypt. Over 942,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR, mostly from Sudan, additional to the protracted displaced communities in Egypt. The registration and residency processes delay often and span over two years.

- Humanitarian Gaps and Economic Strain: With limited access to public services, employment challenges and rising inflation, many cannot afford housing, food, or medical care, and half of registered refugee children remain out of school. Cuts to international aid, especially from the U.S., have drastically reduced healthcare and cash assistance.

- Over 9,000 unaccompanied children remain at high risk without formal shelter or safe spaces. Education barriers push youth into precarious labor, early marriage, or risky migration to Libya, Europe or conflict zones.

- Refugee-led organizations provide vital education, health, and Gender Based Violence (GBV) services despite being underfunded. They face mounting pressure as demand for services, especially women and girls, continues to grow.

The project aims to directly benefit 140,000 migrants and forcibly displaced persons (60% female) receiving community-based services, focusing on (women and children) through direct services from StARS and partnerships with 10 Refugee Led Organizations through grants. While, in total 30 Refugee Led organizations will be engaged through capacity building and shared advocacy.
(Indirect beneficiaries are 210,000)

Target Groups:

- Newly arriving Sudanese Forcibly displaced persons

- Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons from all nationalities.

- Unaccompanied and separated children and Youth.

- Vulnerable families and adults

- Women and girls at risk

Outcome 1: Refugee-led Organizations provide sustainable community services -including GBV prevention/response- and develop peer-to-peer support to enhance community protection networks in Cairo.

Outcome 2: Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons increase their protection and wellbeing through accessing health and psychosocial support, GBV services, education, medical counselling, and direct assistance.

Outcome 3: Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons experience improved access to rights and protection through community-led advocacy efforts that are evidence-informed and backed by active stakeholder collaboration.

Outcome 4: Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons by the Sudanese conflict are better able to manage their lives in Cairo

Principaux résultats attendus:  

1.1.Five RLOs receive a three-year operational grant to strengthen their protection services.

1.2. Five RLOs receive a three-year project grant to strengthen their GBV response and prevention services.

1.3. RLOs access capacity sharing forums to share best practices and provide training amongst each other and with StARS.

2.1.Vulnerable adults and families are provided with psychosocial support, medical counselling, and direct assistance to address their protection concerns and build resilience.

2.2.Unaccompanied children and youth are provided with psychosocial support, medical counselling, and direct assistance to address their protection concerns and build resilience.

2.3. StARS staff engage in capacity building and capacity sharing initiatives with RLOs to strengthen and enhance referral pathways for holistic protection interventions.

3.1.Community-centered advocacy is strengthened through enhanced data collection and analysis systems within StARS and the United Refugee Network (URN).

3.2. StARS and URN deepen their evidence-based and targeted advocacy activities to ensure increased awareness of stakeholders on access to rights of migrants and other forcibly displaced persons.

4.1. Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons by the crisis in Sudan are assisted to access services.

4.2. Vulnerable migrants and forcibly displaced persons by the crisis in Sudan are better able to integrate and settle in Cairo.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

- The humanitarian contribution to the project’s first phase has exceeded its targets, reaching 73,927 displaced individuals with community-based services, well above the set targets. Despite challenging conditions, beneficiaries’ satisfaction remained high, with 99% for child and youth services and 94% of families and adults reporting improved coping in key life areas.

- Another success was the awareness sessions for new arrivals from Sudan that were run by the RLOs. 13,309 individuals were reached. Also access to legal advice was expanded for refugee communities across Greater Cairo, promoting localization.

The Development contribution1 has been a cornerstone of refugee-led response in Cairo. The program supported 17 RLOs to deliver critical services to over 102,000 migrants and forcibly displaced persons:

- RLOs provided over 175,000 services, including community education, psychosocial, healthcare, and emergency assistance.

- Through the formation and expansion of the United Refugee Network, now composed of 25 RLOs, RLOs advanced collective advocacy, engaged directly with UNHCR and INGOs, and participated in key development partner coordination platforms.

- Among impactful results are

1. the enhanced institutional capacity of RLOs,

2. the increased leadership of refugee women,

3. successful and rapid response to the Sudan crisis, and

4. the launch of GBV prevention and response services in five RLOs.

- Sustainability efforts reflect a durable and community driven approach to service delivery and advocacy, leading and responding to global calls to refugee leadership and meaningful participation in decision making.