In Cairo's Faisal district, Sudanese refugees who fled the civil war in their homeland say they face violence, uncertainty, and a hostile environment that leaves them with little hope. Many are now considering a dangerous voyage across the Mediterranean to Europe as their only escape.
A Desperate Situation
Nadir, a 26-year-old Sudanese refugee, is among an estimated 1.3 million Sudanese living in the greater Cairo region. Most fled after the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in April 2023, which has killed at least 150,000 people and displaced approximately 4.5 million. Instead of finding safety in Egypt, Nadir and others describe life there as a horror story.
“The situation here is so hopeless that I am now preparing for a second crossing [to Europe]. I haven’t told my mother yet as I don’t know if she would survive losing a second child,” says Nadir, who asked not to be identified by his real name.
Arbitrary Arrests and Racism
Once in Egypt, Sudanese refugees face racism and what the UN describes as an “intensifying campaign of arbitrary arrests and human rights violations.” Since late 2025, there has been a surge in deportations of Sudanese nationals, often without assessments of whether they face risk of torture or harm. Nadir says, “Here in Egypt, you are confined like a criminal. It offers so little prospect of a future that you begin to lose yourself.” He shows his swollen hand, injured after defending himself from a racist attack.
Refugees risk detention if they cannot present a residence permit at the time of arrest, even if they left it at home momentarily. Omar, 25, who also uses a pseudonym, says he has had friends disappear without contact after being caught near police checkpoints.
Economic Exploitation
Finding affordable housing is a major struggle. Yassin, 23, cares for his three younger sisters after their father died earlier this year. He says landlords often assume Sudanese have money from abroad, despite most having lost everything. “The money we receive to support ourselves is almost entirely spent on rent,” he says.
Many Sudanese are forced into informal labor, such as washing dishes or cleaning, but lack of legal status makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Some employers pay below minimum wage and threaten to report workers who try to resign. Yassin says, “We would like to contribute to the Egyptian economy, but as long as we do not have legal status, our lives remain so restricted that we are left in limbo.”
The Mediterranean Gamble
The hostile climate is driving many to consider leaving Egypt. Nadir already attempted to reach Italy by boat through Libya but was kidnapped by smugglers and held captive for seven months. His closest friend did not survive. Despite this, he is preparing for another attempt. For now, Yassin stays indoors to minimize risks, but says if not for his sisters, he too might try the crossing.
These stories highlight the desperate plight of Sudanese refugees in Cairo, caught between violence at home and a hostile reception abroad, with the Mediterranean offering a deadly but tempting escape.
* Names have been changed to protect identities.
