Primary Health Care Mainstreaming of Syrian Refugees in Egypt

The mainstreaming of refugees into a host country’s health, education, and social service programs presents unique challenges in urban areas. Even when governments are willing to support such mainstreaming, refugees may experience numerous barriers. Also, the host communities may find that limited resources are stretched even further when accommodating a new population in need of services.
To respond to these challenges, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) adopted an urban policy in 1997 addressing the needs of urban refugees. It specified that if its goals were to be achieved, an appropriate resource base would be required, coupled with effective cooperation and support from a wide range of other actors; especially host governments and city authorities hosting the growing number of urban refugees.
In 2011, UNHCR guidelines regarding refugee health services in urban areas recommended that Syrian refugees be mainstreamed into the primary health care system of host countries to the fullest extent possible.