Second Edition of ‘Farhet Masr’ Initiative Launched to Support 8,000 Families

وزيرة التضامن.

Dr. Maya Morsi, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, presided over a press conference today to unveil the results of the inaugural edition of the “Farhet Masr” initiative and announce its second phase. The event was held under the patronage of Mrs. Intisar El-Sisi, the First Lady, and attended by various ministry leaders, private sector partners, civil society representatives, media personnel, and public figures.

During her address, Dr. Morsi extended her gratitude to Mrs. El-Sisi for her ongoing support of the initiative since its inception, as well as to partners from various ministries and governmental agencies including the Tahya Misr Fund, Nasser Social Bank, and the Egyptian Red Crescent.

The minister emphasized that Egypt prioritizes its citizens’ welfare. She stated that “Farhet Masr” is not merely a celebratory event but a national message underscoring the responsibility of ensuring happiness for all citizens. She noted that many young people face challenges in starting their families due to rising living costs and social obligations. This understanding has shaped Egypt’s vision to place human welfare at its core.

Dr. Morsi highlighted that the initiative was guided by political leadership aimed at alleviating burdens on families. It introduced an electronic system for distributing support vouchers as part of social service vouchers and launched a digital platform for “Farhet Masr.” Field teams were deployed to verify eligibility before culminating in a mass wedding ceremony attended by Mrs. El-Sisi.

The first edition focused on four pillars: comprehensive national partnership, digital governance, sustainability, and human dignity. Dr. Morsi shared that more than 32,310 young couples registered for participation, with 2,954 completing their applications. Ultimately, 1,000 couples were selected based on transparent criteria; among them were 34 individuals with disabilities and 148 orphans.

To ensure transparency and fairness in access to support, over 3,000 field studies were conducted in collaboration with social workers and official databases. Support was disbursed through secure vouchers redeemable at numerous outlets nationwide.

The initiative involved 36 partners including 13 government entities and 23 civil society organizations working alongside over 16,500 organizers and volunteers who contributed significantly to the effort. Notably, about 60% of participating brides received assistance from civil society organizations.

Dr. Morsi also noted that over 175 hairdressers and beauticians were made available for brides during preparations for their weddings. The Al-Mahrousa restaurant provided more than 46,000 meals throughout the event period while also creating job opportunities for those in need.

The Egyptian Red Crescent played a vital role in managing transport logistics with over 152 vehicles across Egypt while providing medical services through nearly a thousand volunteers.

The minister reiterated that support extends beyond material preparations; couples were enrolled in the “Mawda” program aimed at preserving family unity. Since its launch in 2019, this program has trained over 2.2 million citizens.

Dr. Morsi announced that the second edition of “Farhet Masr” aims to reach an additional 8,000 couples from underprivileged families while enhancing partnerships with civil society and private sectors. The platform is now open year-round at FarhetMasr.CSF.eg for eligible applicants to register.