The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development Showcases the Objectives of the Egyptian National Rural Development Project "A Life of Dignity" for the Current Fiscal Year Plan 23/2024Cairo, February 1st, 2024

In a report issued by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the objectives of Egypt's national rural development project, "A life of dignity" was reviewed by the current fiscal year plan 2023/24.

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said, stressed that the initiative "A Decent life" is an unprecedented radical transformation of the Egyptian rural areas by targeting the needs of Egyptian villages for infrastructure and public services and ways to improve income and ensure a decent standard of living for rural communities. This initiative is also an ideal model that reflects the concerted efforts of all ministries to contribute - within their respective spheres of competence - to a decent life for rural communities. She also added that the initiative's coverage extends to more than 4500 villages and 28,000 affiliates at the 175 centers from 20 governorates nationwide, given the widespread coverage of the initiative, its services extend to about 58% of the country's total population.

Furthermore, El-Said added that the "Decent Life" initiative is a humanitarian initiative which contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the National Human Rights Strategy regarding the basic economic, social, and cultural rights, and the right of women, children, youth, and those who are otherwise capable. The initiative’s development projects and activities cover all areas of life and aim to improve the living conditions of all segments of the population in rural communities. It is also in line with the strategic objectives of Egypt's Vision 2030, and explicitly contributes to the achievement of all the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

El-Said declared that the 2023/24 development plan comes as part of the strategic direction towards the development of Egyptian villages to complete the implementation of the first phase of the initiative "A Decent Life," and fully execute it during the year of the plan, which was launched from the first July 2021. She also announced that EGP 350 billion was allocated for the implementation of its development projects, the first phase covers 1477 villages in 52 centers with approximately 19 million beneficiaries. The plan also aims to begin preparation work for the second phase, including the preparation of economic, social, and environmental studies, drawings and engineering designs, the completion of sewage and potable water projects, lining and rehabilitation of canals, in preparation for the start of the implementation steps of this phase in 2024/25, whose geographical scope extends to cover some 1667 villages.

 

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development report stated that the initiative's first phase targets, to be fully executed in 2023/24, about the social dimension, the plan aims to create, develop, and equip 15,330 classes. Maintenance of 1303 schools, completion of the development of 24 central hospitals, completion of the development and equipping of 1102 health units, the construction, and development of 367 emergency and ambulance units, the completion of 555 residential buildings for low-income people, in addition to completing the development and equipping of 983 youth centers. Regarding the urban dimension, the plan aims to complete the delivery and development of potable water systems at 8.5 km, complete the construction and development of 323 water purification plants, extend the sewage system network to 21.3 km long, in addition, the establishment and development of 1469 sanitation projects, the completion of 166 sanitation treatment plants, completing the development of 166 roads, finishing of the development of 116 railway stations, completing the development of 57 urban settlement within the scope of the initiative "A Decent Life", connecting fiber-optic networks to 1466 villages, establishing and developing 846 post offices, completing the laying of cables and installing lighting poles, kiosks, and electrical transformers to 1464 villages, and connecting natural gas service to 842 villages.

 

 

On the objectives of the economic dimension, the report explained that it concluded the establishment and preparation of 330 agricultural services centers establishment, the development of 46 dairy collection centers, the establishment, and development of 608 irrigation shops on watercourses, the preparation and lining of 6330 km long canals for the first and second phases. About the local development objectives, 332 government compounds were built and furnished, 128 markets were developed, 91 transportation hubs were established, 132 fire posts were constructed and developed, local road network for 1449 villages was extended.