The Egyptian parliament's Social Solidarity Committee held a meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026, to discuss a request for information submitted by MP Christina Adel regarding the exclusion of citizens who have faced deteriorating financial circumstances from the Takaful and Karama program. Adel stated that some citizens who lost their jobs or faced financial difficulties due to emergency circumstances were not being included in the program.
Adel cited a case of a citizen who was working as a driver, sold his car, and had his data updated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, but was still not added to the Takaful and Karama program. She also mentioned that some social affairs offices in Asyut governorate were reluctant to update citizens' data. The committee chair, Dr. Randa Mustafa, asked Adel to provide a list of social affairs offices that were not cooperating with citizens.
Dr. Ahmed Abdel Rahman, head of the Central Administration for Social Protection at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, explained that the ministry relies on direct network connections between various agencies and ministries, rather than updating data. He stated that citizens who sell their cars must provide proof of sale, which must be registered in the traffic department's database.
Abdel Rahman mentioned that the ministry conducts regular field research, currently re-evaluating 600,000 citizens as part of a plan to reassess beneficiaries every three years. He emphasized that during re-evaluation, beneficiaries' support is not stopped. However, some MPs disputed this, stating that support is often stopped during re-evaluation.
MPs expressed concerns about the halt in support during re-evaluation, citing difficulties faced by beneficiaries. They also raised concerns about the lengthy process of addressing complaints, with some taking up to a year to resolve. Abdel Rahman denied that complaints take this long, stating that it is "impossible" for the ministry to take a year to address a complaint.
The committee also discussed the issue of redefining "poverty" and providing more support to those in need. MP Saeed Reza Al-Wasim noted that in his constituency, only 2,000 out of 9,000 registered citizens were actually receiving support. The committee aims to find solutions to these issues and improve the support provided to citizens in need.
The Takaful and Karama program currently supports around 4.7 million families. The committee's discussions highlight the challenges faced by citizens in need and the importance of improving the support system. Key issues, including the halt in support during re-evaluation and lengthy complaint processes, will be addressed to ensure more effective support for beneficiaries.
Key points
- The Egyptian parliament's Social Solidarity Committee is considering adding citizens who lost jobs due to emergency circumstances to the Takaful and Karama program.
- The committee discussed concerns about the halt in support during re-evaluation and lengthy complaint processes.
- The Takaful and Karama program currently supports around 4.7 million families.
