Mission report February 2026: Emergency Smile in Egypt

In February 2026, the Emergency Smile team returned to Cairo. Following our mission at the end of 2025, it was clear that the need for sustained psychosocial support among displaced communities remained urgent. For two weeks, our team navigated the high-pressure environment of the Egyptian capital, where thousands of families from Gaza, Sudan and Yemen are currently seeking refuge.

Beyond words

The mission began with a strong focus on inclusion at Basmat Amal. Head of Mission Craig worked alongside artists Marija, Ezzat and Mario, engaging Egyptian and Sudanese children living with physical disabilities.

‘When you don't share the same language or culture, music and touch build the bridges,’ Craig notes. The team used a signature blue sensory fabric, allowing children to physically feel the rhythm and movement of the music.

The microphone moment

One of the most intense parts of the mission took place at the UNHCR reception centre. Imagine a waiting room packed with 60 to 90 children at any given time, alongside exhausted parents and older relatives.

It was here that one of the mission’s most beautiful moments unfolded. Marija, one of the artists, was strumming her ukulele when she noticed an older man leaning against the wall, holding a walking stick. 

‘Marija didn’t just play near him. She turned his walking stick into the star of the show, pretending the handle was a professional microphone. You could see the shift in the space and many adults started smiling and laughing.’

Support for Gaza and Yemen

The second week focused on targeted interventions for those most recently affected by conflict. Working with the LifeBlood Foundation, Hands Up Project and Meera Kindergarten, the team met with hundreds of Palestinian children from Gaza.

Caring for the carers

Emergency Smile missions recognise that humanitarian work takes a heavy toll. We conducted Humour Relief Workshops for UNHCR staff.

These workshops provide tools for emotional regulation and team cohesion and create space to release the tension of day-to-day work while having fun together. By practising trust exercises and cooperative games, these frontline workers, who deal with thousands of people in distress every day, were able to reconnect with their own emotions and ensure they can continue to provide care with empathy and strength.