At the second ministerial meeting of the EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative—also known as the Khartoum Process—held this week, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty appealed for increased European support to help manage growing migration challenges, amid rising economic pressure and a sharp decline in U.S. humanitarian aid.
Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt has made significant strides in curbing irregular migration. “Since implementing our national migration strategy in 2016, no migrant boats have departed from Egypt’s shores,” he said. He credited this success to Egypt’s commitment to border control, anti-trafficking policies, and integration programs for migrants. However, he noted that Egypt now shoulders an increasingly heavy burden as a host country. “We have more than 10 million refugees and migrants living in Egypt. They have access to our public services and labor market, but we urgently need additional international support,” he said.
The minister called for targeted investments in education, healthcare, and job creation, warning that without stronger economic opportunities for both Egyptians and migrant populations, more individuals may risk dangerous Mediterranean crossings to Europe.
Abdelatty also cited the loss of funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which was previously a key contributor to humanitarian and development projects across North Africa and the Horn of Africa. The shortfall has impacted multiple countries along major migration routes, including Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Tunisia.
Katja Keul, Germany’s Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, acknowledged the growing crisis. “USAID was the largest donor. Germany was the second. But it is no secret—we cannot fully fill the gap left behind. It is a catastrophe, and we are doing our best to maintain our current funding levels,” she said.
The Khartoum Process, launched in 2014, brings together European and African countries to coordinate migration management and combat human trafficking. At this year’s summit, held under increasing geopolitical and economic strain, participants renewed calls for deeper cooperation, long-term investment, and balanced responsibility-sharing between countries of origin, transit, and destination.
Egypt, with a population exceeding 110 million and rising economic challenges, currently hosts migrants primarily from Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Officials have reiterated that despite its limited resources, the country remains committed to offering safe refuge—but cannot sustain these efforts alone without broader international backing.
