Algeria

For 50 years, Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees, making it one of the world's longest-standing refugee situations. The interagency Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan launched in November 2023 estimates the population needing humanitarian assistance to be 173,600 individuals in five camps. Additionally, apart from the Sahrawis, Algeria hosts approximately 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers, four-fifths of whom are Syrian, and the remainder is made up of a variety of countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

The five Sahrawi camps are in an extremely harsh environment, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in summer. Sandstorms are common, and floods are occasional. Livelihood and economic opportunities are scarce, and while the refugees are primarily self-governing and women play a crucial role in aid distribution and camp leadership, they rely heavily on Algeria and the international community for basic needs. The long duration of the situation and the absence of progress towards a political solution have made it difficult to sustain international attention and support. 

For asylum-seekers and refugees elsewhere in Algeria, the government recently committed Algeria to providing essential services to them. It indicated, too, that a comprehensive national law on refugees would soon be shared. In the meantime, UNHCR continues to provide protection and assistance services consistent with its mandate through several implementing partners, including the Algerian Red Crescent. 

Additional information

For information about our work in Algeria: