The High Commissioner for Refugees stated in press statements on May 29, 2023, that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is “trying to establish a presence on the Sudanese side,” and that “the commissioner’s team in Sudan is working to provide more support at the borders.”
The statement comes during the High Commissioner’s tour to Egypt to visit border crossings and meet with several displaced Sudanese nationals and Egyptian government officials.
The High Commissioner added, “The Egyptian government is encouraged to keep the door open to those fleeing conflict zones, and international donors will support ongoing relief efforts urgently.” He also pointed out that “there are rules for receiving displaced individuals set by the Egyptian government, which we appreciate and respect. Many individuals have lost their passports during the war, and we are working with the Egyptian authorities on finding a solution that allows Sudanese nationals who have lost their passports to travel to Egypt.”
The UNHCR had previously appealed to the international community to provide USD 151.4 million to support the refugee community in Egypt and the conditions of newly displaced individuals from Sudan. Additionally, it has previously provided EGP 50 million worth of aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent to support the displaced. Furthermore, the European Union has allocated EUR 200,000 to the Egyptian Red Crescent for the provision of support to people arriving in Egypt from Sudan. Since the onset of the conflict, Egypt has received approximately 160,000 individuals from Sudan, including more than 153,000 Sudanese nationals. However, on May 25, Egypt ceased accepting temporary travel documents for individuals crossing into Egypt, which had been in effect since the beginning of the conflict, leading to increased congestion at border crossings.
It is worth noting that the border crossings between Egypt and Sudan are suffering from difficult humanitarian conditions, including congestion, weak infrastructure, slow procedures on both sides and a lack of healthcare services and necessities. Additionally, there has not been any presence of international organizations on the Sudanese side since the beginning of the conflict to date.
The Refugees Platform in Egypt has been monitoring and documenting the movement and displacement conditions, as well as the conditions of the Egyptian-Sudanese border crossings since April 15 to date in various reports. Among these reports and statements were the following:
From Sudan to Egypt: Who Allows Their Crossing?
From Sudan to Egypt: Status Report Updates for the Period From the Evening of 26 – 28 April 2023
From Sudan to Egypt: Status Report for the Period 22-26 April 2023
Becoming a Refugee is Never a Choice
A Guide for Support and Service Providers for New Arrivals in Egypt
