Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, met with Mark Bryson-Richardson, the British Ambassador to Egypt, and his accompanying delegation at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was attended by Mohamed El-Oqbi, Assistant to the Minister of Social Solidarity, and Amira Tag El-Din, Director General of the General Administration for International Relations and Agreements. During the meeting, Morsy expressed her appreciation for the distinguished relations between Egypt and the United Kingdom, as well as for the ongoing cooperation with the British Embassy in the fields of research and social studies — particularly within the framework of the Takaful and Karama programme. She praised the fruitful partnership and voiced her aspiration to expand this cooperation in the coming period. The Minister outlined the objectives of the Strategic Financial System for Economic Empowerment, which aims to enhance access to financial services related to social protection and economic inclusion. The system is designed to maximise the benefits of existing financial, banking, and insurance programmes and infrastructure, while establishing a unified beneficiary database to ensure efficient and reliable access to the most vulnerable groups. Morsy also reviewed the mechanism of the Takaful and Karama programme and the support provided to beneficiary families, including the "exit system" that allows families to leave the programme once their financial situation stabilises, making room for new eligible families. She stressed that the programme is dynamic rather than a permanent assistance scheme, as beneficiaries are reassessed every three years; those whose income exceeds the poverty line transition to economic empowerment initiatives. The Minister emphasised that there are currently no waiting lists for the programme, noting that as families' financial conditions improve, new ones are added. She underscored that the ministry encourages beneficiaries to work and become self-reliant rather than depend solely on cash assistance. Morsy also discussed Egypt's humanitarian and relief efforts in delivering aid to the Gaza Strip through the Egyptian Red Crescent, which has served as the national mechanism for aid delivery since the beginning of the crisis two years ago. These efforts include the provision of tents, blankets, medical supplies, and other forms of relief in cooperation with international partners such as the Palestine Red Crescent Society. For his part, Ambassador Bryson-Richardson expressed his eagerness to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, commending the nature and scope of its work. He reaffirmed the UK's commitment to expanding collaboration with Egypt in the humanitarian and development fields, noting Britain's continued support through the British Red Cross and other humanitarian programmes, particularly during the Gaza and Sudan crises. He also referred to the medical and relief assistance provided by the UK, including the deployment of British field hospitals in Gaza and the evacuation of medical cases — among them 50 children transferred to the United Kingdom with their families. The Ambassador praised Egypt's role in managing humanitarian crises, especially in Gaza, and its ability to sustain relief operations under challenging circumstances.
