Algeria

Hunger in Refugee Camps

Refugees in Algeria are suffering from food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies. You can help us deliver lifesaving food and school meals.
WFP/Lourdes Melendo/2017

One of the Longest Refugee Crises in the World

Algeria has been hosting refugees from Western Sahara since 1975, making it one of the longest-running refugee crises in the world. The Sahrawi refugees live in five camps near the town of Tindouf – a harsh, isolated desert environment of western Algeria where opportunities for self-reliance are limited, forcing them to depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival. 30% of Sahrawi refugees are food insecure and 58% are at risk of food insecurity.

The prevalence of anemia in Algeria is alarmingly high, with more than half of children under the age of 5 and women of reproductive age affected. In addition, poorly diversified diets and a lack of nutritional awareness result in overlapping nutritional problems including mineral and vitamin deficiencies and overweight/obesity in women.

Despite continued negotiations, the political situation remains unsolved so refugee camps have been the only alternative for Sahrawi refugees. The status quo has fueled anxiety and disillusionment, especially among the young population, which could lead to increased insecurity and tensions in the sub-region.

Refugee women and children sit and wait for food at a camp in Algeria WFP/Lourdes Melendo
Make a difference in Algeria

Hunger in Algeria

Refugees in Algeria live in harsh desert conditions, which limit their ability to be self-reliant, resulting in food insecurity and malnutrition.

WFP’s Work in Algeria

At the request of the government of Algeria, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been supporting the hungriest refugees since 1986, covering basic food and nutrition needs. In 2021, WFP programming supported 138,421 people in Algeria. 23,022 MT of food was distributed and nearly $1M distributed through cash-based assistance.
Algeria, Laayoune refugee camp, Tinduf, 29 November 2017 Algeria has hosted refugees from Western Sahara since 1975 in what has become one of the worldÕs most protracted refugee crises. The Sahrawi refugees are located in five camps near the town of Tindouf in Western Algeria. The harsh and isolated desert environment limits opportunities for self-reliance and, as a result, the refugees depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival. Malnutrition and anaemia rates had been high in the past, but recent assessments have shown an improvement of the overall nutrition situation of women and children. Both chronic malnutrition and global acute malnutrition among children aged 5 or less are at an all-time low. However, anaemia rates, indicating a dietary iron deficiency, are alarmingly high- at 39 percent among children aged 5 or less, and 43 percent among women of reproductive age. The latest assessments also suggests the emergence, amongst the refugee population, of new issues of public health concern, namely overweight and obesity affecting mostly women, as well as diabetes. In the photo: Food distribution at Laayoune refugee camp Photo: WFP/Lourdes Melendo
Food & Cash
WFP distributes almost 134,000 food rations to refugees per month. Food baskets are handed out through 116 distribution points in all five refugee camps and include several types of cereals, beans, sugar and vegetable oil.
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a young girl holding an energy bar
Nutrition
WFP combines prevention and treatment approaches to address anemia, stunting and malnutrition among children under the age of 5, and pregnant and nursing women through 29 nutrition centers.
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Algeria, Laayoune refugee camp, Tinduf, 29 November 2017 Algeria has hosted refugees from Western Sahara since 1975 in what has become one of the worldÕs most protracted refugee crises. The Sahrawi refugees are located in five camps near the town of Tindouf in Western Algeria. The harsh and isolated desert environment limits opportunities for self-reliance and, as a result, the refugees depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival. WFP provides mid-morning snacks Ð in the form of milk, fortified biscuits and if available dates Ð to 40,500 children in 70 primary schools and kindergartens. WFP also rehabilitates and constructs school kitchens and stores. In the photo: School meals in Laayoune refugee camp. Photo: WFP/Lourdes Melendo
School Meals
To encourage children to enroll in, and attend school, WFP provides daily mid-morning snacks – in the form of milk and fortified biscuits– to around 40,000 children in all 31 kindergartens, 26 primary schools, 10 intermediary schools, 10 special needs centers and five koranic schools in the refugee camps. WFP also rehabilitates and constructs school kitchens and stores.
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Bins of fresh grass can go from seed to shoot in a matter of days.
Resilience Building
WFP implements complementary activities that improve Sahrawi refugees’ food security and nutrition. This resilience-building approach includes activities like green fodder production using low-tech hydroponics and a fish farm.
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Lastest News

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  • April 28, 2021

How to Grow Goat Food in the Sahara, Barley in Refugee Camps & Veggies in Desert Slums
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  • April 23, 2020

UN Humanitarian Agencies Appeal for $15 Million for Joint COVID-19 Response for Sahrawi Refugees in Algeria

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  • Blog
  • October 7, 2017

How Innovation Is Transforming The Way Refugees Grow Food

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