Algeria

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Algeria

Working environment

The context

Algeria is a country of transit for mixed-migration movements towards Europe. It is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and has approached UNHCR for assistance in developing a national asylum system. In mid-2012, UNHCR identified an expert to help support the Government in updating the draft asylum law in accordance with international standards.

Meanwhile, UNHCR registers asylum claims and conducts refugee status determination (RSD) under its mandate. By the end of August 2012, UNHCR had registered nearly 120 refugees and more than 1,300 asylum-seekers living in urban areas, mostly nationals of sub-Saharan African countries. There are also more than 4,000 Palestinians in Algeria who are well integrated and have not approached UNHCR.

Since the eruption of violence in Mali in early 2012, a significant number of Malians have sought safety in Algeria, according to Government sources. Most are being hosted by families along the border. There are also reports that thousands of Syrians have arrived in Algeria by air. Both the Malians and Syrians are being assisted by the Croissant-Rouge algérien, which currently has the necessary resources to address both refugee situations.

Four camps and one settlement in the south-western province of Tindouf continue to host refugees from Western Sahara. The Algerian Government estimates their number at 165,000. Pending registration, this UNHCR programme is based on a planning figure of some 90,000 vulnerable refugees in the camps.

The needs

The lack of legal status and residence are difficulties which urban refugees and asylum-seekers continue to face in Algeria. These challenges result in limited access to economic, social and civil rights and the risk of detention and expulsion.

In the absence of a political solution to the Western Sahara issue, Sahrawi refugees remain dependent on international assistance. Income-generation and livelihood activities are difficult to implement in the desert, reinforcing the refugees' reliance on international aid.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

URBAN REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS

Fair protection processes and documentation

Reception conditions are improved.

• UNHCR increases its capacity to register asylum-seekers and determine their claims by 20 per cent.

Civil-registration and civil-status documentation capacity is strengthened.

• The recognition of UNHCR documentation by national law enforcement structures is improved, resulting in improved responses on behalf of detained people of concern.

Favourable protection environment

Access to legal assistance and legal remedies is 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.

• UNHCR assists the national authorities 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 vulnerable refugees have access to adequate shelter.

• Some 128 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.

SAHRAWI REFUGEES

Basic needs and essential services

The supply of potable water is increased or maintained.

• An average of 20 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 for children 6-59 months old.

• Anaemia among pregnant and lactating women and children below five years of age is reduced by 20 per cent.

The population has optimal access to education.

• All children in the population of concern aged 6-11 are enrolled in primary school.

• Some 90 per cent of school-age children 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.

• An eight-month ration of cooking gas is provided to refugees. Food security is improved.

• Some 650 metric tons (MT) of fresh foods for Ramadan are provided, as well as some 68 MT of dried yeast and some 150 MT of green tea.

The population lives in satisfactory conditions of sanitation and hygiene.

• Some 45,000 litres of bleach are provided.

• Domestic waste is collected.

Favourable protection environment

Administrative institutions and practices 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 2013

In urban situations, UNHCR will continue to implement its comprehensive strategy to enhance the asylum space in the country. In collaboration with partners, the Office will work to ensure protection-sensitive management of broader migratory movements within the framework of the 10-Point Plan of Action. Pending transfer to national asylum structures, UNHCR will continue to conduct registration and RSD under its mandate. Following adoption of the national asylum law, UNHCR will enhance its capacity-building initiatives to assist the Government in reinforcing asylum procedures.

In line with the shift in focus of the Sahrawi refugee programme from humanitarian aid to development-oriented activities, UNHCR will continue to invest in critical sectors such as water, nutrition, health and education. The Office will strengthen protection monitoring and interventions through field offices that have been established in the camps, which allow for regular home visits and improved identification of humanitarian needs. UNHCR will also continue to conduct human rights awareness campaigns in the camps and training sessions for law enforcement structures.

Constraints

The main constraints in the urban context are the absence of regional and national migration strategies, the lack of legal and administrative asylum frameworks, and non-recognition of the status granted to refugees.

New security measures for UN and NGO staff in Tindouf have restricted movement to the Sahrawi refugee camps.

The withdrawal of Spanish NGOs in July 2012 has affected the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Moreover, bilateral support for the refugees has been reduced due to the global financial situation which has directly affected some European countries.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR will reinforce partnerships with IOM and NGOs to improve monitoring capacity and the understanding of migratory patterns affecting Algeria.

UNHCR has partnership agreements with local NGOs and is part of a project with the Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati (CIR) on mixed migration. Additional national civil-society partners will be identified, even as UNHCR seeks more Government involvement in asylum issues.

UNHCR has a strong network of partners to implement programmes in the Sahrawi refugee camps. To enhance coordination with implementing and operational partners, UNHCR has established an operational base in the compound of Weather Haven in Rabouni, as well as a physical presence in the camps.

Financial information

The comprehensive budget for the operation in Algeria in 2013 amounts to USD 28.2 million, as compared to USD 25.6 million in 2012. The increase of USD 2.6 million is mainly for investments in critical sectors in the Sahrawi camps that will allow the progress made thus far to be sustained.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

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