Egypt seeks help from NGOs to advance social protection programs
The Egyptian government is working with NGOs to advance social protection programs despite criticism that the state is seeking to control these associations and eliminate political Islam.
CAIRO — Egypt has recently increased charity work across the country as part of efforts to support the government’s social protection programs.
In cooperation between the Egyptian government and 18 charitable institutions and associations, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched Sept. 15 the “Gates of Goodness” convoy — Egypt’s largest charitable convoy to help low-income households and the most vulnerable groups.
The convoy includes 1,000 trucks carrying various sorts of aid to serve 1 million families across the country. It targets the sectors of health care, social protection, urban and economic development, support for education and training, and also efforts to face disasters and crises.
The Long Live Egypt Fund, which organized the launch ceremony of the convoy, is the government’s main arm for coordination between the state and civil charity organizations to benefit from the latter’s capabilities and presence in the local community across Egyptian governorates, cities and villages, through networks of volunteers and donors. This coordination comes as part of various presidential initiatives such as the Decent Life initiative that are aimed at eliminating poverty, hunger, slums and disease.
