In the Sahrawi Refugee Camps (SRC) located in the Algerian region of Tindouf, where 173,600 people live, this year has been marked by a significant deterioration of humanitarian conditions, especially in terms of food and nutrition. Food in the SRCs depends almost exclusively on the monthly distribution of one basic food basket per person. This already limited ration has been subject to an alarming decrease in terms of the quantity - 75% - and variety of products in recent months. The effects on health are already visible.
Preliminary results of the joint assessment and nutrition survey conducted in February 2022 by the WFP, UNHCR and CISP reveal:
Despite the gravity and fragility of this situation, the international community has shown almost zero commitment to this forgotten crisis, which has consistently faced ongoing difficulties regarding funding and lack of visibility. This is particularly alarming this year, as we are looking at an almost 20% drop in funding for SRCs in the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.
As a result, the discrepancy between the amount of aid provided and the actual need is enormous. For example, the funds needed for food assistance alone have doubled to US$39 million this year, from US$19.8 million before the pandemic began. This situation has also been exacerbated by the global economic crisis, the surge in inflation and the geopolitical context, and this is having a serious and direct impact on the living conditions of people in the camps, as well as on the external assistance provided. In response to this emergency, the UN launched an appeal at the end of August to increase funding and support for food and nutrition assistance and to avoid emergency food stock-outs. In addition, the Consortium of organisations working in the SRCs - of which Doctors of the World Spain is a member - supported this initiative.
When talking about life in the camps, it is important to remember that this is a situation that has been ongoing for 47 years, and that these are some of the oldest refugee camps in the world. Moreover, since the 14th of November 2020, the camps have been at the rearguard of an armed conflict, which has a direct impact on people's lives and mental health.
Added to this is the fact that the inhabitants face the extreme climatic conditions of the Algerian hamada, which include temperatures that exceed 50 degrees in summer and hover around zero in winter, water shortages, frequent sandstorms and flash floods that cause dramatic damage to infrastructure and housing. There is limited access to clean water, food and health services in the camps. These social and environmental determinants directly affect the health of Sahrawi refugees, especially the most vulnerable. The lack of incentives in the public sector, the business sector and other sectors is leading to an increasing exodus of people, especially those with university degrees, in search of better opportunities.
In order to respond adequately to this humanitarian crisis, we believe that it is more necessary than ever that the international community, and in particular the Spanish government, take a responsible long-term position as regards the Saharawi people.
This nutrition and, inevitably, health crisis is still preventable. In the meantime, its consequences could be irremediable. Therefore, responsible action is urgently needed from the Spanish state and the international community. The latter must, on the one hand, respond immediately to humanitarian needs and, on the other, act within the framework of the United Nations resolutions in order to move forward in the political process of resolving the conflict. This would allow the Saharawi people to live autonomously, to make decisions regarding their future and to finally envisage a solution to their forced exile.