EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATIVES VISIT WFP PROJECTS IN EGYPT HIGHLIGHTING THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF JOINT INITIATIVES

The delegation, drawn from the Working Parties of the Council of the European Union, and consisting of representatives of the European institutions and 22 Member States, accompanied by representatives from WFP, UN sister agencies, and EU institutions — conducted field visits showcasing key initiatives. This included vocational training centres, WFP-supported agricultural projects, community schools, and women and children nutrition units. The visit is aligned with the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council, encouraging stronger European action on food security, which will be reflected in upcoming Council Conclusions on stepping up Team Europe support to Global Food and Nutrition Security.

As global challenges like climate change, economic pressures, and development needs intensify, the partnerships between Egypt, the EU and its member states and WFP continue to demonstrate the importance of combining large infrastructure projects with locally driven initiatives, to create lasting and transformative change. 

The visit included vocational training sites established under WFP’s refugee programme, in partnership with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, EU Member States and local organizations. The initiative provides market-driven skills training to refugees and host community members in carpentry, manufacturing, and digital tools, fostering self-reliance and economic inclusion.

Showcasing agricultural innovations, the EU delegation met with smallholder farmers, supported by WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, who have adopted enhanced agriculture techniques, such as solar-powered drip irrigation and land consolidation, which have boosted productivity by up to 40%. These practices offer sustainable solutions to challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and food insecurity.

The visit also focused on community education, with stops at WFP-supported schools in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. WFP’s school feeding programme provides nutritional support and cash assistance to encourage attendance and continued education. Supported schools have also been equipped with digital tools and training for teachers to enhance the learning experience and ensure students have equal opportunities with their peers nationwide.

The EU Member States representatives also explored WFP’s women’s empowerment programmes, developed with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. These initiatives provide women with training and micro-loans, enabling them to start their own businesses, increasing their household incomes by nearly 50%, and transforming their lives and those of their families. 

“Addressing today’s complex challenges requires solutions that empower communities, build resilience, and unlock opportunities,” said WFP Egypt Representative and Country Director Jean-Pierre de Margerie. “What we see in Aswan, as one example of our work, reflects the strength of our partnerships with the EU in cooperation with the Egyptian Government in transforming lives and sustainable growth.”

On the nutrition front, the delegation visited health units under the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s (MOSS) “First 1,000 Days” Programme, supported by WFP. Delegates observed nutrition assessment screening for school-aged children and met with pregnant and breastfeeding women benefiting from the initiative that combats malnutrition and promotes maternal and child health during the formative years of a child’s life.

Building on a longstanding partnership, WFP and the EU continue to drive impactful development across Egypt. Earlier this year, the EU and WFP launched a €2 million programme to empower 6,000 refugees and host community members through vocational training and private sector engagement, reinforcing their shared commitment to inclusive growth.

In 2023, the European Union and its Member States' global contributions to WFP reached €2.4 billion — over 30% of WFP’s annual budget.

#                       #                   #

About WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on Twitter @WFP_Egypt

And on Instagram @WFP_Egypt

For more information, please contact:  

WFP

Amina Alkorey, WFP/Cairo, email: amina.alkorey@wfp.org

Kanzy Mahmoud, WFP/Cairo, email: kanzy.amr@wfp.org

EU

Rasha Serry, EU, email: rasha.serry@eeas.europa.eu