The Sanad Initiative: Bridging Service Gap for Displaced Palestinians in Egypt

Israel’s occupation of Palestine has forced thousands of Palestinians to flee the country in search of safety and security. Unfortunately, many displaced Palestinians, including those in Egypt, lack legal status as refugees, which affects their access to essential services. In response, a group of displaced Palestinians in Cairo launched an initiative to assist other Palestinian refugees and bridge the gap in service access.

Cost of Lives and Displacements

Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories has persisted for decades. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has led to an estimated 41,118 Palestinians lost their lives, with over 95,125 others wounded since October 2023. However, considering four indirect deaths every one direct death and potentials for unreported cases, the actual death toll might have exceeded 186,000.

Furthermore, the occupation has also forcibly displaced many Palestinians from their homes and even out of the country. In Egypt, more than 100,000 Palestinians have sought refuge.

Unfortunately, displaced Palestinians in Egypt lack refugee status due to the Egyptian government’s refusal to recognize them as refugees. This refusal is driven by concerns of permanent expulsion and fear that Israel might prevent their return. As a result, they are ineligible for most international aid meant for refugees.

The Sanad Initiative: From and To Displaced Palestinians

Recognizing the gap in refugee services, civil society in Egypt decided to take action. Among these efforts is the Sanad Initiative. 

The Sanad Initiative originated from a group of displaced Palestinians in Cairo who sought to support other Palestinian refugees in Egypt. They operate in Cairo and Gaza to assist internally and externally displaced Palestinians. 

The initiative provides essentials such as food, medicine, and clothing to displaced Palestinians in Cairo while also addressing the needs of internally displaced Gazans by supplying hygiene products, sanitation, and clean water. Additionally, psychosocial support and peer sessions are also offered to build a supportive community environment.

The initiative is run on donations and community-led responses. Through shared experience, they intimately understand the unique challenges and needs of displaced Palestinians in Egypt. 

Urgency of Inclusive Humanitarian Support

Safeguarding the rights of displaced communities and ensuring proper care and support outside their conflict-ridden homeland is essential. This care should also include psychological and mental support to help them cope with trauma and help rebuild their lives.  Therefore, community-led responses, like the Sanad Initiative, are especially important amid uncertainties.

Moreover, displaced people are forced to leave due to urgent circumstances, and the lack of proper documentation or clear legal status may significantly affect them. This also signifies the importance of filling the gaps that arise and guaranteeing inclusive humanitarian support. 

However, ultimately, it is the responsibility of world leaders and international law upholders to prioritize ending conflicts, persecution, and other human rights violations across the globe so that everyone can lead safe and peaceful lives without exceptions.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

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