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The National Council for Child Motherhood and Childhood (NCCM) signed a cooperation protocol today with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to enhance support and protection for refugee and asylum-seeking children in Egypt.

The agreement was signed by Sahar El-Sonbati, President of the NCCM, and Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to Egypt and the League of Arab States.

The protocol aims to establish a formal institutional framework to integrate non-Egyptian children into the Council’s services and activities, ensuring they receive the same essential rights and social care as their Egyptian peers.

El-Sonbati emphasized that Egypt hosts migrants and refugees of various nationalities without discrimination. She noted that the state is committed to integrating these "guests" into the Egyptian social fabric, providing them with access to basic services and community support.

A key part of the protocol is coordination between NCCM and UNHCR, including activating referral pathways for children who are at risk. The aim is to help them reach support and protection services faster, while also improving institutional and operational support, exchanging expertise, and building capacity in international protection.

El-Sonbaty also said the cooperation will expand the use of “best interests” procedures for refugee and asylum-seeking children, in line with international child protection standards.

The council also highlighted its legal role under Egypt’s constitution and relevant laws, including its capacity to act as a legal representative for unaccompanied children when families or legal guardians cannot be identified.

Source: Egypt Today