Algeria

Global acute malnutrition affects almost 8 percent of children aged 5 or less. The  prevalence of anaemia is alarmingly high with more than half of children aged 5 or less and women of reproductive age affected, possibly indicating a dietary iron deficiency. In addition, poorly diversified diets and a lack of nutritional awareness result in overlapping nutritional problems including mineral and vitamin deficiencies and overweight/obesity in women.

Despite continued negotiations, the political situation remains unsolved, so refugee camps have been the only alternative for Sahrawi refugees. The status quo has fueled frustration and disillusionment, especially among the young.

A COVID-19 outbreak risks overwhelming the camps’ fragile health system and exacerbating the refugee’s already difficult situation. The humanitarian community including UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP prepared a joint COVID-19 response strategy to prevent transmission of COVID-19 among Sahrawi refugees, provide adequate care for patients affected by COVID-19 and support their families, and adapt programmes in education, food security, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to mitigate the worst effects of the pandemic.

At the request of the Government of Algeria, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been supporting the most food insecure refugees since 1986, covering basic food and nutrition needs.