Algeria

2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Algeria

Working environment

The context

Algeria is confronted with the effects of mixed migration flows and often serves as a transit point for human smuggling. Among them are people who fall under UNHCR's mandate. Algeria is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and has approached UNHCR for assistance in developing a national asylum system. UNHCR conducts refugee status determination (RSD) under its mandate.

By the end of August 2011, UNHCR had registered some 140 refugees and 670 asylum-seekers living in urban areas, mostly nationals of sub-Saharan African countries. More than 4,000 Palestinians and an unknown number of Iraqis also live in Algeria. As they are well integrated, they do not approach UNHCR.

Tens of thousands of refugees from Western Sahara arrived in Algeria in 1975-1976 and were recognized on a prima facie basis. Since then, they have continued to live in four camps and one settlement in the south-western province of Tindouf. The Algerian Government estimates their number at around 165,000. Pending registration, UNHCR's programme is based on a planning figure of 90,000 vulnerable refugees in the camps.

The needs

Recent political events in North Africa and the Government's growing security concerns have had a negative impact on the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers, in particular from sub-Saharan Africa, considered as illegal migrants, and those at risk of detention and expulsion.

In the Sahrawi refugee camps, UNHCR provides assistance covering basic needs and services. However, food is generally lacking essential micronutrients, resulting in high rates of anaemia and malnutrition among infants and children, as well as pregnant and lactating women. To combat these problems, additional funds have been allocated to provide nutritional supplements for those at risk, but further efforts are required.

Existing health and educational facilities require constant rehabilitation due to the harsh climatic conditions. The lack of specialized training opportunities and gainful employment affect the level of health care and education being provided. Income-generation and livelihood activities are scarce and difficult to implement in the desert, reinforcing the Sahrawi refugees' dependence on international aid.

Main objectives and targets for 2012

FOR REFUGEES IN URBAN SETTINGS:

Fair protection processes and documentation

Reception conditions are improved.

• Access to asylum is improved by a 20 per cent increase in UNHCR's capacity to register asylum-seekers and determine their claims.

Civil registration and civil-status documentation capacity are strengthened.

• Recognition of UNHCR documentation by national law enforcement structures results in positive responses to interventions on behalf of detained people of concern.

Favourable protection environment

Access to legal assistance and legal remedies improved.

• No refugees are deported for reasons of illegal entry or stay in the country.
• Legal interventions are made in all cases of arbitrary detention.

Laws and policies relevant to protection are developed and strengthened.

• National authorities are assisted in the drafting/adoption and subsequent implementation of an asylum law consistent with international standards.

Basic needs and essential services

Shelter and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained.

• All mandate refugees who need it have access to adequate shelter.
• Some 130 vulnerable refugees receive basic food and non-food items.

Durable solutions

The potential for resettlement is realized.

• Some 30 extremely vulnerable refugees are submitted for resettlement.

FOR REFUGEES FROM WESTERN SAHARA:

Basic needs and services

The supply of potable water is increased or maintained.

• An average of 15 litres of water per person per day is distributed to refugees.

The nutritional well-being of the population of concern is improved.

• The global acute malnutrition rate is reduced to 5 per cent or under.
• Anaemia among pregnant and lactating women and children below five is reduced by 20 per cent.

The population has optimal access to education.

• All children in the population of concern aged six to 11 years are enrolled in primary education.
• Some 90 per cent of children of school age have school materials and text books.
• One school is rehabilitated.

The health of the population is improved.

• Some 50 per cent of essential laboratory services are provided.

The population has enough access to fuel supplies.

• A four-month ration of cooking gas is provided to refugees.

Favourable protection environment

Administrative institutions and practice are developed or strengthened.

• All arrested refugees have access to fair and timely trials.

Logistics and operational support

Logistics and supply are optimized to serve operational needs.

• A fleet of 32 water tankers, 12 delivery trucks, 14 ambulances and 25 light vehicles is maintained.

Strategy and activities in 2012

The 10-Point Plan of Action will continue to serve as a framework for ensuring the protection of refugees in mixed migratory movements. UNHCR will build on the momentum created by the Government's request for support in drafting a national asylum law. It will also strengthen communication and partnership with the authorities and assist in the establishment of efficient asylum and migration management structures. Capacity-building initiatives will target governmental and civil-society institutions.

UNHCR's operational capacity will be strengthened to ensure protection, while the provision of assistance will range from documentation, including issuance of birth certificates to newborn refugee children, material support and the search for durable solutions. UNHCR will intervene with law enforcement authorities and health structures on behalf of victims of sexual and gender-based violence. It will also identify the most vulnerable refugees and submit them for resettlement. In addition, under a joint project with the Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati (CIR) and the Algerian National Commission for Human Rights, UNHCR will assist rejected asylum-seekers to return to their countries of origin.

The focus of UNHCR's programme for Sahrawi refugees has shifted from care and maintenance interventions to more development-oriented activities through increased support in sectors such as water, nutrition, health and education. This strategy includes strengthening protection monitoring and interventions. Field offices have been established in the four camps, where information leaflets are disseminated and human-rights workshops conducted.

Constraints

In the urban context, the main constraints include the absence of regional and national migration strategies, the lack of legal and administrative asylum frameworks, non-recognition of refugee status by the State, fragile security, and continuous threats to UN personnel.

In the absence of a political solution to the Western Sahara situation Sahrawi refugees will continue to depend on international assistance for survival.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR has concluded partnership agreements with local NGOs in Algiers and is part of a project with the CIR on mixed migration. More national civil society partners will be identified, even as UNHCR seeks more Government involvement in asylum issues. Areas where activities can be implemented jointly with other UN agencies, particularly with regard to sexual and gender-based violence and trafficking, will be identified. The greater involvement of the media and academia in asylum issues will also be encouraged.

UNHCR has established a strong network of partners to implement programmes and has recently established a physical presence in the camps. To improve coordination with implementing and operational partners, including the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), the Spanish International Cooperation and Development Agency, and the Sahrawi authorities, UNHCR has established an operational base in the compound of Weather Haven in Rabouni.

Financial information

From 2008 to 2011, the budget for UNHCR operations in Algeria increased three-fold for needs of people of concern, while still falling far short of total needs of the Sahrawi refugee population. As in 2011, the total budget for the programme in Algeria in 2012-2013 amounts to around USD 25.5 million per year.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013

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