Emergency Smile in Egypt: September 2026
On their third visit to Cairo this year, healthcare clown artists from the Emergency Smile team of RED NOSES International spent three weeks with children, parents and aid workers, bringing joy and laughter to those in need of hope.
The waiting area at the UNHCR registration centre is always full. People queue for hours, often with their children, for an appointment. For those still waiting to be recognised as refugees in Egypt, it is one of the last steps of a long journey.
On the team's first activity, clown artists Nina, Razan and Gintautas started a parade through the waiting area. Head of Mission Salomé noticed some mothers wiping away tears, not of sadness, but of emotion and relief as the clowns brought moments of lightness, joy and happiness into an otherwise stressful environment.
Once a week, the team gave two shows in the centre's child-friendly space, each for 50 to 80 children. This time, the artists opened the door to everyone. Mothers came in, then fathers too. UNHCR staff said they hadn't seen so many adults join before. Parents, it turned out, needed this as much as their children.
Enlarge photoClown Show at the UNHRC Main Building
Most people the team met are from Sudan, with many from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen. Through UNHCR, the artists also visited some of the 260 community spaces it works with across Cairo. Many are run by the communities themselves.
Sudanese families in Cairo
Since 2023, more than 1.5 million people have fled Sudan's civil war and arrived in Cairo. This year, life has become harder still. Amnesty International reports a rise in arrests across Egypt's cities, especially affecting Sudanese families since end of 2025. Some parents are now too afraid to send their children to school.
School fees already put education out of reach for many Sudanese families, especially those with several children. To keep children learning, Sudanese teachers run community schools of their own. Through UNHCR, the team visited several, along with some of the 260 community spaces it works with across Cairo. At one school, 80 children came together on the rooftop for a single show. At others, the team split them into groups, so nobody missed out.
After each show, the artists stayed on. They taught red nose tricks, which some children said was their favourite part. When there was space, children split into three groups to try scarves, juggling balls and rings with each artist.
Enlarge photoCircus Smile workshop at the Terre des Hommes centre
In community centres, mothers asked to join, so the team invited everyone the room could hold. The adults reacted just like the children. Where rooms were too small, the artists often added a small parade for the parents waiting outside.
Enlarge photoClown Show mostly for women at the Bent al Osoul community center
A first visit to children from Gaza
Palestinians in Egypt can't register with UNHCR, so the team usually meet these audiences through local Palestinian organisations. This time, we joined Save the Children at its ‘Child Friendly Space’ for children from Gaza. Over two days, the artists ran four sessions for around 50 children each. Over two days, the artists ran four sessions for around 50 children each.
The children arrived with a lot of energy and a strong need to move. The sessions were outdoors and with a wide mix of ages. The artists shaped the activities around that energy, and it worked beautifully. The teachers soon got to know the team and happily joined in and helped. They have asked us to come back.
Enlarge photoPainting made by the children at the Save the Children Child Friendly Space
Laughing again
Staff at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in Cairo face some of the hardest situations every day. For our first Humour Relief Workshop together, 18 staff members of different nationalities took part, in English and Arabic. One woman told the team she hadn't laughed like that in six years. Coordinators want to use the games with their own teams, and there's interest in a second workshop.
Word gets around
UNHCR staff shared something we were glad to hear: our visits help them build stronger ties with the communities they serve. As news spread that the clown artists were in Cairo, more organisations got in touch asking for a visit. With 260 community spaces, there's always another door to knock on.
Enlarge photo
Enlarge photoHelp us go back
If you'd like to help create more moments like these support us and help our healthcare clown artists return to the schools and community centres asking for them.