Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin El-Kabbaj hailed efforts of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), being two of the leading global networks in terms of preparing for disasters and crises and the fastest in responding to health and social emergencies. She added that their fundamental message is about human protection in those circumstances, whether migration, disasters or emergencies.
The minister’s remarks came as she participated in the conference of the IOM and the International Federation of the Red Cross on “Promoting Dialogue on Climate Action”.
Al-Kabbaj said that migration is a human right as long as it is done in orderly and safe conditions as defined by international law, including the common goals and responsibilities in the countries of origin, transit, or receiving countries. She noted that the term “environmental migrant” has recently been introduced.
This term refers to a person, who is compelled to leave his or her country of origin due to sudden, long-term changes in the local or regional environment, which may threaten his or her livelihood or food security or threaten their life and survival.
Al-Kabbaj reported that the Middle East and North Africa region hosts more than 40 million migrants and 11 million internally-displaced persons. She added that the increasing number of people who die while trying to cross borders without permission has focused international attention on the risks involved in irregular migration, as migrants face risks that have impacts on their lives, safety, dignity and well-being.
The minister also stressed that climate change has added an impact on doubling the numbers of migrants and refugees, leading to changes in human settlement patterns and ecosystems, and the adequacy and efficiency of natural resources, which have a direct impact on the lives of all.
The role of the ERC in supporting migrants and refugees, whether registered or unregistered or asylum seekers, was discussed, as access to basic needs, cash assistance and health services, including mental health, psychosocial support, child protection programmes, education, life skills, and the provision of HIV vaccines are provided.
This effort has been doubled at the time of the coronavirus pandemic. In this respect, the ERC played an important role in light of the confidence it has gained from its presence among the refugee and migrant communities, thanks to the partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the IOM, the UN and civil society partnerships.
The ERC has also established a firm and solid societal approach by building the capacities of community volunteers of different nationalities until they have become a cornerstone in implementing the its programmes within their communities, which ensures acceptance and continuity of humanitarian work, and an investment in their practical and educational capabilities.
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