Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Egypt has implemented various governance structures to address the challenges posed by extreme heat, integrating these efforts into broader climate change adaptation and disaster risk management strategies.
The National Climate Change Strategy and Egy pt Vision 2030 outline Egypt’s overall approach to enhancing resilience across sectors such as agriculture, health, and urban planning. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the Ministry of Environment lead these efforts, collaborating with other relevant ministries and organizations.
The National Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction (NCDRR) is expected to play an increasing role in disaster risk management, including extreme heat preparedness, though its involvement in this area is still developing. Local initiatives in cities like Cairo and Alexandria are focused on addressing the urban heat island effect through increased green spaces, improved urban planning, and public awareness campaigns. However, the scale and impact of these initiatives vary, and they may be more pilot projects than widespread programmes at this stage.
Community-based adaptation programmes, supported by NGOs and international organizations, contribute to local resilience through awareness programmes and infrastructure improvements, including cooling centres, health services, and urban greening. However, these initiatives are often localized and vary in scope and effectiveness.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are beginning to play a role in enhancing climate resilience, though their scale and impact are still evolving. For example, Cairo has explored smart city technologies to monitor heat, with potential partnerships involving companies like IBM and Vodafone Egypt. These efforts are in the early stages, and their impact is still being assessed.
In Alexandria, there are ongoing discussions about potential collaborations between the Alexandria Health Directorate and private sector entities like Cleopatra Hospitals Group to improve heat-health preparedness, but these initiatives are not yet fully operational.
Egypt also collaborates with international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank for technical assistance and funding. Ongoing research and data collection by Egyptian institutions, supported by international partners, aims to better understand and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to build resilience against climate-related risks, including extreme heat