For Refugees & Asylum-seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa , Iraq & Yemen
STRATEGIC VISION & RESPONSE PLAN
The 2018 strategic direction and response plan for refugees and asylum-seekers from sub-Saharan Africa , Iraq , and Yemen residing in Egypt aims to address the needs of these populations . There will be a strong focus on protection including child protection , public health , education , basic needs , and livelihoods , along with community-based interventions to enhance outreach .
UNHCR will continue to lead efforts focusing on the preservation of the protection space , the prevention of refoulement , and enhanced access to asylum and effective protection in Egypt . In 2018 , mainstreaming access to services ( health and education ) for all refugees will be one of the main priorities , along with strengthening the prevention and response to Sexual and Genderbased Violence ( SGBV ), and child protection . Partners will also focus on building resilience , and on analysing and documenting protection trends .
As in previous years , UNHCR and partners will continue to assist those in need of international protection , through legal , material and counselling support , including those in detention . Agencies will also advocate for the release of extremely vulnerable detainees caught in mixed migration , particularly children , and alternatives to detention . Efforts will continue regarding the regularization of stay of those who have irregularly entered Egypt and regarding the facilitation of family unity visa . Specific activities aiming at strengthening resilience , self-reliance and awareness raising about the risks linked to irregular movements will be pursued .
The 2018 planning for protection is undertaken on the basis of several assumptions : that the Arab Republic of Egypt will continue to host asylum-seekers and refugees ; will continue to support refugee protection ; and will facilitate implementation of activities through national and international NGOs . It is also assumed that the crises in the countries of origin will remain unresolved . Asylum applications from sub-Saharan Africans are expected to remain high .
The protection partners will work closely with authorities to provide for greater access to asylum , as well as easier access to residency procedures and the prevention of refoulement . UNHCR will continue to support the Government of Egypt with the registration of refugees and RSD processes . Case management , child protection and response to SGBV , as well as multi-sectoral service provision , will continue , as well as the involvement of community volunteers for information dissemination and prevention activities .
The education partners will continue to advocate with the Ministry of Education to ensure the successful integration of African refugees into Egyptian public schools . Enhancing the capacity of teachers who work with African , Iraqi and Yemeni students will also be a priority . A bridging programme will be established to ensure smooth access for refugee children to the national education system . Education grants will continue to support African , Iraqi and Yemeni families in covering the costs of education . Children with specific needs will be supported to access appropriate schools based on their potential . UNHCR will continue its advocacy efforts with donor governments regarding higher education scholarships for refugees .
In the public health sector , partners will support the access and further integration of all refugees into public health care facilities according to the memorandum of understanding signed with the Ministry of Health and Population ( MoHP ). This will be done through the provision of support to selected facilities in areas with high density of refugees . UNHCR will support and collaborate with MoHP to ensure that refugees have access to curative and preventative health care services . Awareness raising activities will benefit African , Iraqi , and Yemeni refugees to inform them of the available health services in order to enhance access and utilization of public services . The health sector will also support access to immunization for children , access to comprehensive reproductive health care for refugees , and life-saving secondary health care through a centralized referral system and standardized criteria to ensure equitable services for all refugees and asylum-seekers .
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