Egypt and EU sign grants to strengthen child protection and health care

On Tuesday, October 22, during a meeting of the Egyptian House of Representatives led by Dr. Hanafi Gabali, the chamber approved two grants totaling €11 million (LE577 million) from the European Union (EU).

These grants support Egypt’s efforts to strengthen child protection systems and increase production of vaccines and medicines.

The first grant, totaling €8 million (LE420 million), is allocated to the EU Support for Future Generations programme. This funding will help improve Egypt’s national approaches to child protection by focusing on the policy, legal and institutional frameworks to combat child labor.

The grant also aims to increase children’s access to basic services such as education, health, food and housing, creating an enabling environment that protects their rights.

The objectives of the grants are in line with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which Egypt is committed, including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, by addressing children’s basic needs and ensuring equal access to vital resources.

As for the second grant, worth €3 million (EGP 157 million), it will support the project “Standards for Process Improvement in the Production of Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals and the Implementation of Health Technologies.”

The second grant is designed to sustainably increase local production of health products and ensure equitable access to these products across Africa.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, stressed that these grants reflect the strong partnership between Egypt and the EU.

For example, in March 2023, Egypt and the EU signed a strategic partnership that included a €7.4 billion (EGP 388 billion) financing package to support green and sustainable investments until 2027.