The Syrian Sports Academy, which is a community based initiative that was recently founded in Alexandria and supported by UNHCR through its partner Caritas, hosted the first Arab Tournament for Football. The kick-off was on 9 August where 120 athletes formed 12 teams from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and South Sudan participated in the tournament which was held with high sportsmanship. The league was held under the theme “Youth United Abroad”.

The Ministerial Conference on “Belonging and Legal Identity” concluded last week in Tunis in the presence of the member states of the جامعة الدول العربية - League of Arab States (LAS). By hosting this event - the first of its kind in the region - UNHCR and LAS contributed to supporting and strengthening protection measures for stateless persons, and developing concrete solutions to prevent and reduce the statelessness risks in the region. At the conclusion of this Ministerial Conference, Member States adopted the Arab Declaration on "Belonging and Legal Identity", which shows their shared commitment to enhancing the protection of individuals in the region through the strengthening of civil registration and citizenship systems, with particular attention to individuals at risk including refugees. “Longstanding traditions in the Arab Region recognize all rights of children to belong to enjoy their rights to family life, unity, and to have a name, a legal identity and a nationality. UNHCR and LAS brought together all relevant sectors to uphold these principles to safeguard the future of refugee children and strengthen the access of refugee women to nationality rights,” said Karim Atassi, UNHCR Egypt Representative. The event was organized by UNHCR, LAS and the Republic of Tunisia, under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Tunisia, Mr. Béji Caid Essebsi.

The Houch Ygaman and Y’ahl El-Hay - يا 'هل الحي projects funded by UNHCR Egypt and implemented by Œcumene Studio in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population, Obour City Administration and Obour Community Development Association have made their way to Venice, Italy! The two projects are being exhibited in the Egyptian pavilion, under this year's theme "Reporting From The Front" at the 15th Venice Biennale, Italy – one of the most prestigious art and architecture exhibitions worldwide. The projects focus on an integrated development of services approach which aims to ensure better access to health services for Syrian and Egyptian communities by the upgrading of the public health clinic, the public space in the surrounding area and two kindergartens located in the social solidarity buildings.

The Egyptian Governement, the UN, and their partners are appealing for almost US $380 million to cover both the refugee and resilience components in 2015.

The Centre for Democracy and Social Peace Studies (CDSPS) in Alexandria conducted an introductory workshop on Non-violent Communication on the 30th of May. 15 Syrian refugees attended the workshop. The introductory workshop introduced the participants to the concepts of non-violent communication which includes peaceful interaction, critical thinking, conflict resolution, negotiation, anger management, social skills, etc.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in cooperation with UNHCR and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights organized an event titled “Refugees in Egypt”. The event focused on the refugee situation in Egypt and the role of UNHCR in assisting refugees through its international and national partners in Egypt.

The Arab Women Organization, in collaboration with Cairo University, organized a march on February 1, 2017 in support of Arab Solidarity with the displaced and refugee women in the Arab region. The march was headed by Ambassador Mervat Tallawy, Director General of AWO, Dr. Gaber Nassar, President of Cairo University, Dr. Mohamed Fayek, President of the National Council for Human Rights, Ms. Maya Moursi, President of the National Council for Women, Yousra and Ilham Shahin (prominent Egyptian actresses) and Kaidar Ayoub from UNHCR.

Over 3000 toys were wrapped with Marwa Fayed's Toy Run and MBC Hope at the Wrap a Toy evening, on July 2, 2016. The event was dedicated to bringing some joy and toys to vulnerable children living in Egypt over the upcoming Eid. The wrapped toy gifts are to be donated to young refugee children living in Egypt through UNHCR Egypt and underprivileged children with support from the Egyptian Food Bank .

On the eve of World Refugee Day 2017, UNHCR Egypt hosted a major film event at the Zamalek Cinema, under the theme "Refugee Voices in Film. Guests showedtheir support to the refugee cause by signing the #WithRefugees and sharing messages about #RefugeeDay on social media. UNHCR Egypt was supported by Arab Cinema Center

On the January 4, 2017, UNHCR Representative to the Arab Republic of Egypt and to the League of Arab States, Mr. Karim Atassi met with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, H.E. Mr. Aboul Gheit, to discuss cooperation in regards to the current regional refugee situation. During the meeting, the Secretary General stressed the need to strengthen the existing cooperation between both institutions and highlighted the importance of capacity building of the League of Arab States on issues related to refugees as well as the importance of the adoption of Arab Convention on regulating the refugee situation; that is being discussed among the member states. H.E Mr. Aboul Gheit acknowledged UNHCR’s efforts in favor of refugees worldwide and in particular in the Arab region.