The initiative is part of Egypt's National Solid Waste Management Programme (NSWMP). Through this programme, workers in the waste sector will be better protected in their daily operations. Following a videoconference with officials, relevant governors and development partners, Egypt’s Minister of Environment announced £29 million ($1.8 million) to protect workers in the waste sector, according to a report in Afrik21.

The funding covers the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbeya, Qena and Assiut. According to the environment minister, Yasmine Fouad, this emergency envelope is intended to protect workers against the spread of Covid-19. The minister also indicated that the next phase of the NSWMP programme would be the maintenance of waste management facilities, including recycling plants and landfills, as per the report.

Supported by Germany, the NSWMP aims to develop and improve the efficiency of the municipal solid waste management system in these governorates through an investment of more than $85 million. The programme is jointly implemented by the Egyptian authorities, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) (German development agency), European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.