«The humanitarian crisis is worsening» in the Tindouf camps, warn UN agencies. Preliminary results from a recent nutritional survey conducted in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, reveal a sharp decline in the nutritional status of the population, particularly among children and women. These findings raise alarm over the potential onset of a nutritional emergency in what remains one of the world's longest-running humanitarian crises. «The Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate has reached 13.6%, the highest recorded since 2010», the UN reports, noting that according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, this level is considered critical. The crisis is severely impacting the health and survival of children under five. One in three suffers from stunted growth, a sign of chronic malnutrition. Additionally, 65% of children and 69% of non-pregnant women of childbearing age are affected by anemia. Alarmingly, only 25% of households have access to what is considered an acceptable diet, the UN further warns. The situation is being compounded by declining donor support for the Polisario. «Only 34% of the $103.9 million required for the 2024, 2025 Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan has been mobilized», acknowledges Savina Ammassari, the UN Resident Coordinator in Algeria. Notably, UN agencies are not involved in the reception, transportation, or distribution of humanitarian aid within the Tindouf camps. Morocco has repeatedly denounced what it describes as the massive and systematic diversion of aid by Polisario leaders, aid that is meant for the camp population. These accusations have been voiced by Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale. Meanwhile, despite repeated calls from the UN Security Council, Algeria continues to block any UN-led census of the Sahrawi population in the Tindouf camps.
