Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Ghada Wali, has participated in a celebration held by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) to mark African Youth Day, jointly with UNICEF.
The African Union, currently headed by Egypt’s President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi,marks African Youth Day in November every year.
The celebration was attended by Dr Moamena Kamel, Secretary-General of the ERC; Ronald Ofteringer, head of the International Committee of the Red Crescent in Cairo; as well as representatives of African embassies in Egypt including Mali, Malawi, Cameron, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, and representatives of a number of international organisations working in Egypt.
Dr Wali said she had been keen to attend the ERC’s celebration of African Youth Day, and applauded the ERC which, apart from its famous services in emergency care and health, extended to other emergency services in Egypt, such as the integration, rehabilitation and training of refugees and immigrants. “Egypt’s policy has been to embrace all Africans who come here, ensuring they are able to exercise their rights unhindered, including the right to volunteer,” Dr Wali said. She commended the ERC for rehabilitating “our guests from the African continent”, developing their skills, and qualifying them for work.
She also praised ERC’s regional endeavours that extended beyond Egyptian borders, notably in Libya, and thanked the ERC staff and its young men and women volunteer workers, whom she termed “the real wealth of ERC”, for their efforts.
For her part, Dr Kamel reviewed the role played by the Red Crescent in supporting the most needy migrants in Egypt and providing them with healthcare and the social services that would help them integrate with their host society.
On the sideline of the celebration, Dr Wali insepcted an exhibition of African heritage handicrafts made by African refugees and migrants in Egypt. She was impressed by the variety of products on display, and the skill which went into producing them.
The celebration included musical performances led by veteran Egyptian musician Hany Shenouda.
Watani International
19 November 2019
