Algeria
Algeria
For 50 years, Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees, making it one of the world's longest-standing refugee situations. The interagency Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan launched in November 2023 estimates the population needing humanitarian assistance to be 173,600 individuals in five camps. Additionally, apart from the Sahrawis, Algeria hosts approximately 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers, four-fifths of whom are Syrian, and the remainder is made up of a variety of countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
The five Sahrawi camps are in an extremely harsh environment, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in summer. Sandstorms are common, and floods are occasional. Livelihood and economic opportunities are scarce, and while the refugees are primarily self-governing and women play a crucial role in aid distribution and camp leadership, they rely heavily on Algeria and the international community for basic needs. The long duration of the situation and the absence of progress towards a political solution have made it difficult to sustain international attention and support.
For asylum-seekers and refugees elsewhere in Algeria, the government recently committed Algeria to providing essential services to them. It indicated, too, that a comprehensive national law on refugees would soon be shared. In the meantime, UNHCR continues to provide protection and assistance services consistent with its mandate through several implementing partners, including the Algerian Red Crescent.
Additional information
For information about our work in Algeria:
Are you a refugee or asylum-seeker in Algeria? Find information about your rights and available services on our HELP site.
For up-to-date information about our programmes and operations in Algeria, including funding level and donor contributions, visit Global Focus, UNHCR's reporting portal.
For legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection, visit Refworld.
Office contact details
The UNHCR Representative in Algeria
Street Address:
128 chemin Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Poirson,, El-Biar, 16000 Alger, Algeria
Mailing Address:
Boîte Postale 444, Hydra, Alger, Algeria
Phone:
+213 21 92 40 83
Fax:
+213 21 92 40 93
Email:
[email protected]
Time zone:
GMT +0
Working hours
- Monday: 8:30 - 17:00
- Tuesday: 8:30 - 17:00
- Wednesday: 8:30 - 17:00
- Thursday: 8:30 - 17:00
- Friday: closed
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: 8:30 - 17:00
Public holidays
- 1 January 2023, Jour de L' An
- 23 April 2023, Aid El-Fitr
- 24 April 2023, Aid El-Fitr
- 1 May 2023, Journee Internationale du Travail
- 28 June 2023, Aid el Adha
- 29 June 2023, Aid Al-Adha
- 5 July 2023, Jour de L'Independance
- 27 September 2023, Mawlid Enabawi Charif (Naissance du prophete)
- 1 November 2023, Jour de la Revolution
- 25 December 2023, Noel
- 25 December 2023, Christmas Day
The UNHCR Head of Sub-Office at Tindouf
Street Address:
89 - 90 Rue Moussani, Tindouf, Algeria
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 323, Tindouf, Algeria
Phone:
+213 49 92 3555
Fax:
+213 49 92 4229
Email:
[email protected]
Time zone:
GMT +1
Working hours
- Monday: 8:00 – 17:00
- Tuesday: 8:00 – 17:00
- Wednesday: 8:00 – 17:00
- Thursday: 8:00 – 17:00
- Friday: 8:00 – 17:00
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed
Public holidays
- 1 January 2023, Jour de L' An
- 23 April 2023, Aid El-Fitr
- 24 April 2023, Aid El-Fitr
- 1 May 2023, Journee Internationale du Travail
- 28 June 2023, Aid el Adha
- 29 June 2023, Aid Al-Adha
- 5 July 2023, Jour de L'Independance
- 27 September 2023, Mawlid Enabawi Charif (Naissance du prophete)
- 1 November 2023, Jour de la Revolution
- 25 December 2023, Noel
- 25 December 2023, Christmas Day