The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have completed a three-year initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods, nutrition and resilience of refugees and host communities in Egypt. The programme, supported by a USD 6 million contribution from KOICA, focused on vulnerable populations in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta and Matrouh.
The initiative provided market-driven vocational training to more than 14,000 refugees and members of host communities, helping participants develop skills aligned with local labour market needs. It also supported microgrants for small business creation, enabling many beneficiaries to establish or expand income-generating activities.
Within six months of implementation, 39 percent of participants had begun earning income, with more than 5,600 individuals securing employment and reporting an average household income increase of 62 percent. These outcomes highlight the programme’s emphasis on economic empowerment and self-reliance.
In addition to employment support, the programme strengthened social cohesion through psychosocial support services, with nearly all participants reporting improvements in mental wellbeing and stress management. The initiative also included efforts to improve nutrition among vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant and breastfeeding women.
WFP provided monthly cash assistance to approximately 9,500 women with young children, conditional on health check-ups, while also delivering nutrition education in partnership with Egypt’s National Nutrition Institute. These interventions contributed to improved dietary diversity among participating women.
Officials from both WFP and KOICA emphasized that the programme helped strengthen resilience among refugees and host communities, particularly in the context of increased displacement pressures from regional conflicts. They highlighted the importance of skills development, income generation and targeted nutrition support in fostering long-term stability.
The programme demonstrates how international cooperation can support both humanitarian response and economic inclusion, helping vulnerable populations move toward greater self-reliance while improving overall community wellbeing.
