The UK Government has unveiled a significant expansion of its North Africa Migration and Development programme, injecting an additional £9 million into regional initiatives aimed at rebuilding the lives of migrants displaced by conflicts. The move is part of Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's visit to Egypt, where she emphasised the need for international cooperation in tackling global migration challenges.
The NAMAD programme, initially launched in Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia, will now extend its reach into Libya for the first time. This increased funding will be used to create local employment opportunities within host communities across North Africa, particularly addressing the impact of displacement caused by the ongoing Sudan crisis.
During her visit to Egypt, Ms Cooper met with Sudanese migrants who have benefited from the UK-backed programme, highlighting their experiences and the importance of integration support. With over a million Sudanese refugees currently residing in Egypt, following the conflict's outbreak in 2023, this initiative demonstrates the significant humanitarian efforts underway.
Since its inception, NAMAD has provided critical assistance to more than 22,500 individuals in Egypt alone, including essential skills training for over 2,500 migrants and vulnerable Egyptians, medical support to over 15,000 through mobile teams, and multi-purpose cash assistance or non-food items to nearly 13,400 people.
The Foreign Secretary also announced a new £8.7 million partnership with the World Bank, focused on providing technical assistance and analysis to Egypt until 2029. This initiative aims to boost inclusive private sector-led growth and enhance the country's economic resilience in managing its displaced population, while fostering long-term economic development.
The expansion of NAMAD aligns with the UK Government's foreign policy priority of addressing international migration challenges and curtailing illegal migration to the UK. By focusing on preventative work supporting migrants and refugees closer to their regions of origin, the programme complements enhanced law enforcement efforts against criminal smuggling gangs.