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Egypt

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Terre des hommes has been active in Egypt since 1983. Tdh combats child labour, supports children in conflict with the law and refugees, and assists children affected by disabilities. In 2012, more than 26’500 people benefited from Tdh activities.

The context

Egypt has undergone political changes since the 2011 revolution. In June 2012, Mohamed Morsi was elected president, a new constitution was passed in a referendum in December 2012 and parliamentary elections will be held in October 2013. Egypt’s economy is suffering from a severe downturn and the government faces numerous challenges as to restore growth, market and investor confidence.
The political and economic tensions strained a social environment still fairly difficult for the most vulnerable children. The number of refugees soared last year making it difficult for the existing mechanisms to function. 7% of the children aged between 5 and 14 have to work and the lack of consciousness around this issue does not encourage the authorities and the public opinion to deal with it. Children with disabilities do also suffer from a lack of understanding and do not benefit from their basic rights.

Centered at 30.802498 26.820553 5

Children's situation

  • Child mortality rate (under 5): 22‰ (CH: 5‰)
  • 7% of the children aged from 5 to 14 are working
  • Nearly 15% of the youth (aged 15-24) are illiterate
  • More than one third of the population is under 18 years old

Delegate: Laure Baudin
Expatriate staff: 0
National staff: 35
Budget: 1'912'263 CHF

In collaboration with: 19 local organisations, CBR, ROAA, UNHCR, GAWLA, CDAs, GWLA, ACDA, Women's Association for Health Improving

Assistance for children with disabilities

Promote rights and participation of children with disabilities and influence the policy reform process. Community based rehabilitation is implemented through the combined efforts of people with disabilities themselves, their families, organizations and communities as well as the relevant governmental and non-governmental services.

Psychosocial support for refugees in Cairo

Provide psychosocial and health support to refugee children and their families and establish a training centre for social workers – refugees themselves – who work in the isolated communities. It includes providing psychosocial services in the frame of UNHCR's sustainable support to refugees communities.

Combating exploitation of Child labour in Assiut and Damietta

Reduce child labour through enhanced education and family support. Tdh offers working children access to schools or to apprenticeships, in collaboration with employers, parents and local communities and draws up a protective environment and code of conduct within children's workplaces.

Juvenile justice

Support child-rights approach in juvenile justice system through the use of alternatives to deprivation of liberty, the training of lawyers specialized in child rights, the awareness about juvenile justice, the setting up of a governance committee and a monitoring body for young defendants from their arrest to the moment they are placed in care centres.

  • In Damietta and Assiut, 5000 working children benefited from services enabling them to access education and improve their work environment, while educating employees and local communities about the risks of exploitation.
  • In Cairo, 4500 refugee/migrant children and their families received psychosocial and mental health support.
  • In Upper Egypt, Tdh conducted activities for disabled individuals to promote their rights and facilitate their access to public services.
  • Finally, a project was launched to improve the functioning of the Egyptian juvenile justice system and to introduce new services to strengthen its effectiveness.

In this country we deal with the following themes