Algeria remains a country of transit and destination, that hosts refugees and asylum seekers from more than 20 nationalities. With no asylum legislation, reception facilities or referral mechanisms in place, and limited access of UNHCR outside the capital, access to asylum and risk of refoulement are among the main protection concerns. In this context, the protection space remains fragile. In 2021, UNHCR continued to undertake registration, refugee status determination (RSD), and issued documentation to refugees and asylum seekers. In 2021, UNHCR continued discussions with the Government of Algeria (GoA) on the introduction of measures to strengthen the asylum system and the protection environment for asylum seekers and refugees across the country. As a result, cooperation was improved and strengthened. Nevertheless, the capacity of the authorities to address challenges in responding to the specific protection needs of people on the move (including asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons) remained limited.
In Algiers, COVID-19 affected the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom lost their informal jobs and saw the deterioration of living standards, with limited access to health, education, food security, livelihoods and vocational training. Refugees and asylum seekers suffered from a nationwide increase of food prices due to the progressively more challenging economic situation triggered by a sustained dip in oil prices.
The overall situation in and around the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf also remained compromised by the harsh climate and remoteness with very limited prospects for self-resilience and livelihoods. In summer, scorching temperatures approach 50C° while during winter drop at night and can approach 0C°. Moreover, the area is barren and prone to frequent sandstorms and occasional floods.
The political settlement of the Sahrawi refugee situation remains an elusive goal, and humanitarian aid is therefore critical to address rising needs. The absence of durable solutions in the foreseeable future continues to be one of the major constraints that Sahrawi refugees are facing, exacerbating frustration among the population, in particular youth born in the camps. This growing frustration also stems from other factors related to community mobilization including the limited youth participation in the decision-making processes pertaining to the community.
The strategic dialogue needs to be supported to promote a clear action plan to strengthen youth initiatives through the different linkages with educational opportunities, technical and vocational training (TVT) and livelihoods. Consistent and impactful assessments, as the planned joint assessment mission (JAM) on households’ vulnerability assessments (VAs) report will be finalized, endorsed and issued in 2022. The findings of such a report and that of the age, gender, diversity (AGD) exercise carried out in December 2021, upon final compilation, will prepare the ground for more accurate planning and reporting.