UNHCR, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood Sign Cooperation Protocol to Support Refugee Children in Egypt

Cairo, Egypt, 11 March 2026 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, signed today a cooperation protocol with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) aimed at strengthening protection and support for refugee and asylum-seeking children in Egypt and facilitating their access to national services.

The protocol was signed by Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to the Government of Egypt and to the League of Arab States, and Dr. Sahar Al Sonbaty, President of NCCM, in the presence of Dr. Wael Abdel Razek, Secretary-General of the Council, and Counsellor Mohamed Sayed Abdel Azim, Legal Adviser to the Council.

“We are grateful for Egypt’s longstanding commitment to ensuring that children have access to essential services and opportunities within the Egyptian society,” said Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to Egypt, emphasizing that the partnership with NCCM represents a cornerstone of efforts to strengthen protection systems for refugee children.

“Our role goes beyond protecting women and children. It is also about empowering them,” she added. “By strengthening national systems together, we can identify risks earlier, respond effectively, and ensure that every child enjoys the right to safety and dignity.”

The agreement establishes a framework for closer cooperation between the two institutions to support the inclusion and participation of refugee and asylum-seeking children in the services and programmes of the Council, while strengthening child protection mechanisms and ensuring access to essential services.

“The Government of Egypt continues to host migrants and refugees of different nationalities without discrimination and works to support their inclusion in Egyptian society,” said Dr. Sahar Al Sonbaty, President of NCCM. “Our aim is to ensure that they can benefit from basic and social services alongside Egyptian citizens.”

The protocol will also strengthen coordination between both institutions and enhance referral pathways for refugee and asylum-seeking children at risk, enabling them to access protection and support services. It further includes provisions for institutional and operational support, exchange of expertise, and capacity-building in the field of international refugee protection.

Dr. Al Sonbaty noted that the cooperation will also support the expanded application of Best Interests Procedures for refugee and asylum-seeking children, in line with international child protection standards. She highlighted that the Council plays a key role in protecting children’s rights in Egypt, including acting as the legal representative of unaccompanied children whose families or guardians cannot be identified under Egyptian law.

Through the Child Helpline (16000), the Council also receives reports related to children without discrimination and ensures rapid intervention to protect children from situations of risk, violence, or neglect in coordination with relevant national authorities.