Brussels, 26/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is following the humanitarian situation in Egypt closely and is ready to provide its aid as soon as the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has responded to its offer of €100,000. Violence in Egypt has created a worrying humanitarian situation which, nevertheless, can still not be described as a humanitarian crisis. However, human rights violations - including the growing stigmatisation of groups of refugees, especially Syrian refugees - are a major source of concern, according to the most recent update of the situation by ECHO, the European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection service.
ECHO has proposed contributing up to €100,000 to bail out the funds of the IFRC and the DREF (Disaster Relief and Emergency Fund) - the mechanism supporting the Egyptian Red Crescent (one of the main players on the ground for distributing medical assistance throughout the country) in providing immediate emergency aid to some 3,000 victims of the riots and crackdown. The response from the Red Cross is still awaited.
Over 110,000 Syrian refugees have asked to be registered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and to receive aid. Aid, such as the distribution of food vouchers in the region of Greater Cairo, to refugees and other vulnerable groups is gradually resuming after being suspended due to insecurity. Egypt's health minister has set up a crisis committee to coordinate emergency medical aid, and the Egyptian Red Crescent has deployed 50 emergency aid teams. The Egyptian authorities estimate that 250,000-300,000 Syrians are currently in Egypt. (AN/transl.fl)