infant mortality and malnutrition among children under five both decreased by half and life expectancy rose from 64 to 71 years.[35] The economy and the living standards for the vast majority of the population improved, although in an uneven manner.[36] While 18% of the Egyptian population still lives below the national poverty line, this figure goes up to 40% in rural Upper Egypt – and an additional 20% of the population has experienced poverty at one point during the last decade, heightening a sense of social vulnerability and insecurity.[37]