The Refugee Influx from Syria and Sudan in Cairo: An Analysis of the Dynamics of Resilience, Hospitality and Hostility
A new report from Queen Mary University of London, sheds light on the challenges and coping mechanisms of Syrian and Sudanese refugees in Egypt’s capital.
With Cairo experiencing a growing influx of refugees from Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, and Palestine, the report examines how these communities navigate an evolving environment of both welcome and exclusion. It explores how local adaptation efforts are increasingly at odds with national policies and shifting public sentiment, influenced by economic pressures and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric.
The report analyses the legal, social, and economic barriers facing refugees in areas such as employment, healthcare, and education. It highlights the resilience strategies employed by refugee communities while also documenting the mounting hostility they face. Key findings suggest that while Cairo has a long history of welcoming displaced populations, negative perceptions of refugees as burdens rather than contributors have grown in recent years.
Recommendations include countering hate speech on social media, supporting refugee-led initiatives, improving data collection, and fostering integration through community-led programmes. The report also calls for stronger collaboration between the Egyptian government, civil society organisations, and international humanitarian groups to improve service provision and refugee rights.