Algeria

Introduction

The political conflict in Western Sahara, unresolved for over 5 decades, has left thousands of Sahrawi refugees stranded. They live in 5 isolated camps in the southwest Algerian desert near Tindouf. The difficult access to livelihoods resources makes humanitarian aid essential to their survival. 

The EU is a long-standing humanitarian donor for the refugee population in Algeria, in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. 

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

€306 million since 1993

What are the needs?

In the remote region where the refugee camps are located, the harsh desert climate and limited natural resources render the living conditions particularly difficult.

Livelihoods and agricultural opportunity are scarce. Access to medicines, education, food, and clean water remains insufficient. All these sectors require support to ensure that the basic needs of the most vulnerable refugees are met.

How are we helping?

In 2025, the EU committed €9 million in humanitarian funding to tackle the most pressing needs.

The EU addresses main needs in the camps through: 

• food assistance and nutrition care
• the provision of clean water
• sanitation
• health care
• livelihoods
• and education

EU Humanitarian Aid has been supporting WFP in the provision of food to refugees since 1993. 

Thanks to the EU and its partners, pregnant and lactating mothers benefit from additional food intake to cover their specific needs, besides the usual food rations. 

EU humanitarian partners have devised a multi-year strategy to improve the water quality and the creation of a water network. Its implementation allowed to reduce the dependency on water trucking. 75% of the 5 camps are now covered by a water network. Remote and less populated area continue to benefit from pure water via water trucking.

EU Humanitarian Aid also provides about 75% of the essential medicines to cover the main health needs of the population in the camps. 

The EU is working to improve education for children in the camps. We have invested in the infrastructure and sanitary facilities in schools. We also support children and teachers with the provision of school materials.

In 2025, the EU will also establish small-scale income-generating activities, to help vulnerable refugees cover their basic needs.