A-Z Site Index

Far from the headlines: After 50 years refugees from Western-Sahara are still in camps

What is the crisis about?

For 50 years, Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees, making it the world’s 2nd longest-standing refugee situation.  It is estimated that 173,600 individuals in five camps need humanitarian aid.

The so-called Sahrawi refugees live in five camps near the town of Tindouf in Western Algeria, characterized by temperatures that can exceed 50 degrees Celsius and very low rainfall. The harsh and isolated desert with frequent sandstorms, limits livelihood and economic opportunities.

Background on the situation

A conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front over Western Sahara’s sovereignty has gone on since Spain withdrew from the area in 1975.

The political situation remains unsolved, so refugee camps have been the only alternative for Sahrawi refugees. The status quo has fuelled frustration and disillusionment, especially among young people.

A Sahrawi  boy. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
A Sahrawi boy. UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Impact on the people

88% Sahrawi refugees are food insecure or at risk of food insecurity. 60% are  economically inactive, and a third are without any source of income whatsoever. Global acute malnutrition affects almost 11 percent of children aged 6 months to 59 months. Anaemia affects more than half of the children in that age bracket, and women of reproductive age.

Poor diets and lack of nutritional awareness result in problems including mineral and vitamin deficiencies and overweight/obesity in women.

The Sahrawi people are at risk of losing their culture and their identity due to the protracted nature of this political impasse.

Sahrawi refugees at the Smara Refugee Camp outside of Tindouf, Algeria.UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Sahrawi refugees at the Smara Refugee Camp outside of Tindouf, Algeria.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

UN Response to the Crisis

Western Sahara has been on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories since 1963 following the transmission of information on Spanish Sahara by Spain under Article 73 of the Charter of the United Nations.

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by the Security Council resolution 690 in 1991 in accordance with settlement proposals accepted in 1988 by Morocco and POLISARIO).

The settlement plan provided for a transitional period for the preparation of a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. The referendum has still not taken place.

The United Nations has long been engaged in the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict over Western Sahara. On 6 October 2021, the Secretary-General appointed Staffan de Mistura as his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara to provide good offices on behalf of the Secretary‑General.

UN agencies in the field

In addition to its traditional in the refugee camps, the UN Refugee Agency has since 2002 built a “humanitarian bridge” between the Western Sahara Territory and the refugee camps in Algeria.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been supporting the most vulnerable refugees since 1986, at the request of the Government of Algeria, covering basic food and nutrition needs. https://reporting.unhcr.org/algeria-sahrawi-refugee-response-plan-arabic

Make a difference and get involved:

Your voice matters! Share this article on your social media and talk about this crisis in your network.

You can also choose to help through the UN agencies involved.

Related posts

Far from the Headlines: Myanmar – The Rohingya crisis

Over one million Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar, have fled conflict and persecution in multiple waves...

Far from the Headlines: the Democratic Republic of Congo

The success of the national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Cup of...

Far from the Headlines: One in four Venezuelans have left the country

More than one in four Venezuelans have left the country amid spiralling hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, political turmoil, violence and persecution.

In focus pages

The UN and the crisis in Sudan

26 November UN relief chief underlines "epidemic of sexual violence" against women and girls (OCHA) Statement by...

The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS 26 November Lebanon: Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the announcement of a ceasefire...

The UN and the war in Ukraine: key information

News on Ukraine in your language French Portuguese German   Quick Navigation: Main facts | Humanitarian Appeal | Protection of civilians ...

UNRIC News

Pulp and paper industry – How to make the circular economy work? (FAO)

2 December 2024 - 15:00 – 16:30 CEST – Brussels, Geneva and online – Info & Registration The global...

Belgium: the fight against femicides and violence against women

Lydia, Hélène, Maria, Eman, Mélissa... These are the names of women killed in Belgium over the past...