UNHCR Egypt extended its reception hours last week and received 3,876 individuals (1,709 families), approaching the office to renew their documents, update their information and add new family members to their records. Continuous verification contributes to a better understanding of the profile and needs of people registered with UNHCR. This exercise has also considerably reduced the waiting period to obtain a renewal appointment in our offices, which decreased from 3 months to 1 month. Additionally, 86 Syrian families also had the opportunity to complete their vulnerability assessment interviews.

UNHCR and the Ministry of Education held the opening ceremony of their joint teacher training programme for 2016. The training focused on developing the required skills for Arabic Language teachers who are working with primary students. The event was attended by Ms. Marian Schilperoord UNHCR Senior Operations Manager who gave a speech about the importance that UNHCR gives to the education of refugees. Ms. Schilperoord thanked the Ministry of Education for its generosity in admitting Syrian and Sudanese refugees in public schools at same footing as Egyptians. While Ms. Mai Mahmoud, UNHCR Associate Protection Officer presented UNHCR’s mandate to help the teachers understand better the circumstances of the refugee student they meet every day in their classroom.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 25 November, UNHCR Egypt celebrated the day with a Marathon and a scooters parade of around 600 people along 6 km of the Cornish in Alexandria. The event also marked the first day of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign” that runs annually from 25 November to 10 December. Syrian Sports Academy, which is a sports initiative supported by UNHCR, participated with 40 Syrians living in Alexandria while Alex Free Riders Club has participated with 45 riders parading side by side with the runners. Alexandria Marathon sports group supports UNHCR in raising awareness about refugee issues in Alexandria.

UNHCR Egypt Representative Ms. Elizabeth Tan met with 350 teachers from all governorates in Egypt who have benefitted from the Active Learning Training programme, which was successfully implemented from the 31st of October to the 5th of November 2016. The event, held in the Student’s Union building, was organized by UNHCR in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Ms. Tan thanked the Government of Egypt and the Ministry of Education for their generosity in hosting refugees, as well as giving their children access to public schools. The Representative also thanked the teachers, and acknowledged the efforts and patience they show the refugee children that may face difficulties in adapting in a new environment. Ms. Tan said that UNHCR is committed to support the Ministry of Education in delivering high quality education and ensuring that schools are a safe learning environment for both refugee and Egyptian children.

UNHCR in collaboration with the National Centre for Judicial Studies organized a 2 day workshop back to back on 4-7 September in Alexandria for 80 judges and and public prosecutors working in Alexandria and Kafr El Sheikh. The workshops titled “International Protection of Refugees: Current Protection Gaps and Challenges” aimed to raise awareness about the principles of international protection, non-refoulement, rights and obligations of asylum seekers and refugees in the country of asylum. It also highlighted the role of the judiciary system to protect asylum seekers and refugees in Egypt and brain storm on current protection measures to bridge the gaps. These two workshops are the fifth in a series of workshops organized with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice in 2016.

NilFurat Project has started its second phase in 2016. The project focuses on empowering refugee and host community women through engaging master craftswomen and design specialists to bring about remodelled products. The second phase of the project is working on fostering opportunities for a sustainable and ongoing production of the NilFurat products, and on empowering participant women on different levels as per their needs. The project is paving the way to set up a business model and a sustainable framework for working with the women.

On 25 August, the Ministry of Social Solidarity held its annual ceremony to celebrate its yearly achievements by organizing an arts and crafts exhibition for the production of NGOs in Alexandria. The day also celebrated and honoured the youth who excelled in cultural and sports activities organized by the ministry during the year. UNHCR participated with the cooperation of its partner Caritas with six tables of Syrian and Egyptian handmade accessories, leather bags, wood crafts and food products.

Two arts and culture events were held for some 150 Syrian and Egyptian children, co-organized by UNHCR Egypt and Caritas Alexandria on 28 and 29 August in the Ras El Soda and Borg Al Arab areas in Alexandria. Refugee and Egyptian children enjoyed fun activities hosted by the Mac Club including face paintings, accessory making, games and colouring followed by a theatre performance of a play called “Star of the Orient.” Produced by the Swedish NGO Re: Orient, the play depicts the story of the legendary late Egyptian singer Om Kalthoum.

The Syrian Sports Academy, which is a community based initiative that was recently founded in Alexandria and supported by UNHCR through its partner Caritas, hosted the first Arab Tournament for Football. The kick-off was on 9 August where 120 athletes formed 12 teams from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and South Sudan participated in the tournament which was held with high sportsmanship. The league was held under the theme “Youth United Abroad”.

The Houch Ygaman and Y’ahl El-Hay - يا 'هل الحي projects funded by UNHCR Egypt and implemented by Œcumene Studio in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population, Obour City Administration and Obour Community Development Association have made their way to Venice, Italy! The two projects are being exhibited in the Egyptian pavilion, under this year's theme "Reporting From The Front" at the 15th Venice Biennale, Italy – one of the most prestigious art and architecture exhibitions worldwide. The projects focus on an integrated development of services approach which aims to ensure better access to health services for Syrian and Egyptian communities by the upgrading of the public health clinic, the public space in the surrounding area and two kindergartens located in the social solidarity buildings.