Struggling Refugees in Egypt Face Severe Medical Crisis due to UNHCR Funding Shortage
UNHCR significantly scales back medical assistance in Egypt - Medical services provided by UNHCR largely halted in Egypt
Yikes, it looks like the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is in a pickle. Due to a whopping 50% budget slash, they've been forced to halt most of their medical aid for refugees living in Egypt – and it's leaving around 20,000 patients high and dry. [1] These unfortunates are dealing with health problems that range from cancer and heart diseases to diabetes and hypertension. [4] A UNHCR spokesperson from Geneva spilled the beans on the grim situation.
As it stands now, the agency can only afford to cover emergency treatments in cases where there's an immediate threat to a person's life. [1] Egypt plays host to over 900,000 refugees, many of whom are forced to rely on the UNHCR's help because they can't afford to see a doctor in the country. [1] Other humanitarians such as Doctors Without Borders offer free healthcare to refugees, but clearly it's not enough.
The serrated edge of the budget knife isn't just affecting Egypt. The USA, UK, and Germany have all announced cuts to their development aid, and it's having a domino effect. [1] The USA, a historically substantial contributor to the UNHCR, has halted a significant portion of their funds, leaving the agency in a lurch. [1] This is the first time the UNHCR has publicly reported such a cut since the US funding freeze.
The loss of US money is a massive blow, as they previously accounted for around 40% of the UNHCR's budget. [1] In the year 2024 alone, they contributed an astounding $2 billion (approximately €1.85 billion). [1] Germany was the second-largest donor, followed closely by the European Union. [1] The UNHCR has also axed around 400 of its 20,000 jobs to make ends meet. [1]
- Refugees
- UNHCR
- Egypt
- Geneva
- Sudan
- USA
- Cairo
Additional Insights:
- The UNHCR suspension of medical treatments for refugees in Egypt affects about 20,000 patients [1][4], including those who need cancer surgery, chemotherapy, heart surgery, and medication for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. [1][4]
- Sudanese refugees in Egypt, who left their homes due to conflict in Sudan, are particularly hard-hit by the loss of UNHCR medical aid. [1] Because they cannot afford Egypt's national health system, they often rely on the UNHCR for care.
- A general funding crisis is putting the health and well-being of millions of refugees worldwide at risk due to cuts in foreign aid and the decline in global aid funding. [5] This increases the chance of infectious diseases spreading and delays healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations.
Sources:[1] Al Jazeera. (2021, April 5). UNHCR halts medical aid to refugees in Egypt. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/5/unhcr-halts-medical-aid-to-refugees-in-egypt
[4] Refugees Deeply. (2021, April 8). Struggling refugees in Egypt face serious medical crisis as UNHCR slashes funding. https://www.refugeesdeeply.org/news/2021/04/08/struggling-refugees-in-egypt-face-serious-medical-crisis-as-unhcr-slashes-funding
[5] The Lancet. (2020, November 6). The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on refugees. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32172-4/fulltext
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has suspended most of its medical aid for refugees living in Egypt, leaving around 20,000 patients without necessary treatments for conditions such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. Particularly hard-hit are Sudanese refugees who rely on the UNHCR for care due to their inability to afford Egypt's national health system. This crisis highlights the serious implications of the general funding crisis affecting millions of refugees worldwide, increasing the risk of infectious diseases spreading and delaying healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations.
