Misery of Sudanese Migrants in Egypt :

By: Ali Noureldin Abdulrahman

Sudanese people in Egypt are facing considerable challenges and hardship, including limited access to essential services. While many fled the war at home, they often find their misery continues in Egypt, with humanitarian aid failing to meet their overwhelming needs.

Skyrocketing rent and daily expenses, exacerbated by Egypt’s economic recession and inflation, make it extremely difficult for Sudanese families to afford basic necessities.

Moreover, Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers cannot legally obtain work permits, forcing many into exploitative and unstable informal labour market, often in low-skilled jobs.

Many of these rely on their depleted savings and humanitarian assistance, but aid often proves insufficient to cover basic food and rent, leaving them in dire circumstances.

In March 2025, a funding crisis forced the UNHCR to suspend many life-saving services.

Meanwhile, the asylum application process is usually lengthy with waits for official residency appointments sometimes exceeding two years. This leaves asylum seekers in a legal limbo, vulnerable to arrest and deportation.

Beyond the initial trauma of fleeing war, many of these asylum seekers continue to face psychological distress from their financial instability and poor living conditions.