In response to the growing refugee crisis, Egyptian officials have called for increased international funding, highlighting a recent EU grant of 12.2 million euros aimed at supporting health and education services for refugees.

On December 17, 2024, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi signed Egypt's first asylum law, which has raised significant concerns among human rights groups due to its security-focused approach.

The new law transfers the responsibility of refugee registration from the UNHCR to Egyptian authorities, establishing a permanent refugee committee under the prime minister to oversee asylum applications.

Under the new legislation, refugees entering Egypt illegally must apply for asylum within 45 days, raising concerns about potential legal vulnerabilities and vague language that could weaken protections.

Critics have pointed out that the law includes provisions allowing authorities to take measures against refugees during wartime or national security crises, as well as criminalizing the housing of refugees without police notification.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the law for potentially undermining asylum seekers' rights and enabling arbitrary denials of asylum.

Activists have condemned the law for being rushed through without adequate consultation with civil society or the UNHCR, describing the legislative process as urgent and lacking transparency.

Amid rising anti-refugee sentiment due to the financial crisis, refugees in Egypt reportedly receive minimal assistance from the government or the UN, despite the significant burden they place on public services.

Parliamentarians have justified the law's urgency by citing increasing refugee numbers and geopolitical challenges, arguing that a regulatory framework is essential for managing the refugee situation.

Egypt has experienced a substantial influx of refugees, with over 1.2 million Sudanese arriving since April 2023, amidst rising anti-refugee sentiment linked to economic strains.

The government claims that the new law aligns with international treaties and aims to streamline refugee data by integrating it with UNHCR databases.

Official estimates indicate that Egypt hosts over nine million refugees and migrants, referred to as 'guests' by the government, highlighting the scale of the refugee crisis.