As a result of the conflict in Western Sahara in 1975, refugees moved from the region into Algeria. They settled in four camps located from 40 to 180 kilometres southwest of Tindouf, where they have been living ever since. WFP has assisted the Government of Algeria in meeting the basic food needs of the Western Sahara refugees living in the desert camps since 1986. To date, WFP assistance totals over US$153 million.
WFP’s US$43 million two-year relief operation provides a general food package to the most vulnerable refugees. People living in the camps also receive humanitarian assistance from a number of bilateral donors, non-governmental organisations, UN agencies (WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR) as well as from the Government of Algeria. Because of the harsh, desert environment, the nutritional situation, particularly of vulnerable groups including women and children, remains fragile and needs to be monitored closely.
WFP moves food from the port of Oran to the Rabouni complex in Tindouf. From this point, it is collected by the refugee authorities who are responsible for dispatching and final distribution of commodities to vulnerable people in the camps.
The food pipeline for the current operation has been very fragile. Pipeline breakdowns have occurred over recent months, which were reportedly only partly covered with bilateral donations.