Lack of funds means Western Saharan refugees risk going hungry: UN agency

Efforts by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to feed Western Saharan refugees in Algeria are being stymied by a 30 per cent shortfall in funds which are essential to guarantee the continuation of food distribution.

The refugees, who subsist almost entirely on assistance from the international community, fled to Algeria in 1975 to escape the fighting between Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO independence movement. They live in camps in the desert town of Tindouf which experiences harsh weather extremes and is devoid of economic opportunities.

“These people risk being forgotten,” stated Marius de Gaay Fortman, WFP’s Country Director of Algeria. “WFP is committed to supporting them as long as they require assistance, but to do so we will need continued funding from the donor community.”

The operation, set to last 30 months, is $13 million shy of the $43 million it needs. Lack of sufficient funding has already caused serious breaks in food supplies, and these interruptions could continue unless the necessary funds, crucial for purchasing 6,000 tons of food over the next five months, are donated.

Malnutrition is a large concern among the 90,000 refugees: 39 per cent of children under the age of five are chronically malnourished while two out of every three women of childbearing age suffer from anaemia, according to the most recent nutritional study which was conducted in 2005.

WFP today applauded the $1.3 million contribution from European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) to this operation.

“Time and again the European Commission has shown its generosity and concern by funding WFP’s work in assisting these refugees, who remain extremely dependent on humanitarian aid,” Mr. Fortman said.

Currently, a 12-day mission is underway in the area to assess the food situation. Representatives from WFP and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), along with those from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and donor countries, will meet with refugees and Algerian authorities to collect information regarding nutrition, food distribution and warehousing.