In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry clarified that the fine — set at EGP 20,000 — is part of a transitional framework as the government works on finalizing a new law regulating foster care.
The forthcoming legislation, the ministry said, will define the rights of foster children and clarify the responsibilities of foster families.
Alaa Abdelatty, Director General of Family and Institutional Care at the ministry, told El-Watan newspaper that foster care in Egypt is intended to be a long-term commitment.
“Children are meant to remain with their foster families,” he said, adding that returns should only occur under exceptional circumstances.
Children are sometimes returned to state care homes either voluntarily by the families — often due to changing financial or personal circumstances — or upon recommendation from the ministry when concerns about the child’s safety arise. However, Abdelatty did not specify in which cases the fine is enforced or waived.
The ministry’s clarification comes amid growing public attention and criticism on social media over the perceived penalization of foster families.
Rights advocates have called for greater transparency and support for households that take in children without parental care.
In response, the ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting foster families through training programmes and follow-up visits aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of fostered children.
It also highlighted recent efforts to simplify the registration process via a digital platform and promoted a dedicated hotline (16439) for inquiries and support.
According to the latest government figures, as of January 2025, a total of 12,323 children are living in foster care across Egypt, supported by 12,094 families.
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