UNHCR in collaboration with the National Centre for Judicial Studies organized a 2 day workshop back to back on 4-7 September in Alexandria for 80 judges and and public prosecutors working in Alexandria and Kafr El Sheikh. The workshops titled “International Protection of Refugees: Current Protection Gaps and Challenges” aimed to raise awareness about the principles of international protection, non-refoulement, rights and obligations of asylum seekers and refugees in the country of asylum. It also highlighted the role of the judiciary system to protect asylum seekers and refugees in Egypt and brain storm on current protection measures to bridge the gaps. These two workshops are the fifth in a series of workshops organized with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice in 2016.

UNHCR conducted a Focus Group Discussion with female Syrian refugees at the Syrian Association to validate the components of the Minimum Expenditure Basket, and to conduct a preliminary Wealth Ranking Exercise.

UNHCR conducted 21 awareness sessions for Syrians in Egypt since the beginning of 2014 about the rights and obligations of refuges under international law.

UNHCR conducted 2 training sessions in Alexandria and New Damietta aimed at increasing the understanding about the rights and obligations of refugees law

UNHCR attended a ceremony honouring the creative expatriate students for the school year 2015/2016, which was organized by the Central Administration Central Services and supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNICEF and UNHCR. The students exhibited works of art, paintings and scientific inventions that impressed all the attendance, and offered a musical show with poetry and chants in different languages.

UNHCR and the Ministry of Education held the opening ceremony of their joint teacher training programme for 2016. The training focused on developing the required skills for Arabic Language teachers who are working with primary students. The event was attended by Ms. Marian Schilperoord UNHCR Senior Operations Manager who gave a speech about the importance that UNHCR gives to the education of refugees. Ms. Schilperoord thanked the Ministry of Education for its generosity in admitting Syrian and Sudanese refugees in public schools at same footing as Egyptians. While Ms. Mai Mahmoud, UNHCR Associate Protection Officer presented UNHCR’s mandate to help the teachers understand better the circumstances of the refugee student they meet every day in their classroom.

UNHCR and the League of Arab States jointly commemorated World Refugee Day

UNHCR and UNICEF Egypt provided a one-time winterization grant for the most vulnerable families of all nationalities registered with UNHCR in Egypt. This cash assistance supported families to secure winterization items and to stay warm, healthy, and protected.

UNHCR and Egypt Post signed an agreement regarding the disbursement of cash assistance for refugees in 2016 through the postal service. Partnering with Egypt Post ensures funds are distributed efficiently and reliably. At least 30,000 refugees will be able to access cash assistance at approximately 3,000 Egypt Post branches nationwide.

UNHCR and Alexandria Marathon organized a 8.6 km marathon along the Alexandria Corniche to commemorate WRD