Egypt has rehoused 118 Coptic families who fled North Sinai after a spate of killings of Christians, Egypt's Ahram Online reported Sunday (February 26th).
The state has housed 118 Coptic families fleeing from North Sinai in four governorates, Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Omar Marawan said Sunday.
Of this number, 96 families were given shelter in neighbouring Ismailia governorate, eight families in Qalioubia, 12 in Assiut and two in Cairo, he said.
"The social solidarity ministry will bear the cost of education, accommodation and healthcare for the displaced families, as well as allocating 1,000 Egyptian pounds ($64) each in urgent financial aid," he added.
In the past few days, churches in Ismailia have received dozens of Coptic families who have fled the North Sinai provincial capital of al-Arish following a number of killings of Christians.
On Saturday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered the government to take all necessary measures to provide assistance to Christians who have fled Sinai.
In a cabinet meeting, al-Sisi stressed the importance of countering attempts to "undermine security and stability in Egypt", saying the displaced families had been "received and housed until terrorist elements are dealt with".
Meanwhile, a number of political and civil society groups issued statements calling on the government to protect Copts who remain in North Sinai, facilitate the exit of those who opt to leave and safeguard their properties until they return.
