CRS in Egypt

Egypt has witnessed periods of instability related to the changing political environment. This instability has had a substantial impact on the population, comprised of almost 90 million Egyptians and more than 190,000 refugees. CRS Egypt remains committed to playing a significant role in supporting Egyptian and refugee populations.

CRS' History in Egypt

In 1956, at the invitation of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Catholic Relief Services began providing relief assistance in Egypt to people affected by the Suez War. During the decades that followed, CRS Egypt moved from large-scale food relief to long-term poverty alleviation and development programs.

Currently, CRS Egypt supports economic opportunities for refugees, women and other marginalized groups. CRS Egypt’s current interfaith action strategy promotes collaboration between Muslims and Christians in at-risk communities in Egypt to reduce interreligious conflict through community action. 

CRS Egypt also offers education assistance to refugees from Africa, Syria and Iraq. CRS works closely with Egyptian organizations to carry out these programs, supporting each organization to become more effective, efficient and responsive—creating lasting positive change as this age-old society goes about reinventing itself.