Western Sahara
Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco occupied in 1975.Many Saharawis fled to refugee camps in the barren desert of Algeria to escape the bombing. Around 174,000 refugees have been living there for 50 years. Together with our local partner organisation UJSARIO, we strengthen the cultural identity of the Saharawis and create prospects for young people. We use information and lobbying work to ensure that the world does not forget the of the Saharawis’ plight.
Hear from the people on the ground
Mariam Abdaslam
17 years old
The Saharawi refugee camps are located in an area with extreme climatic conditions: the region is dominated by the Sahara Desert and has high temperatures, little rainfall and very limited natural resources. A UN referendum on the self-determination of the Saharawi people has been continuously blocked by Morocco. The third generation of Saharawis is now growing up in the camps. Despite a high level of education, especially among the young Saharawis, there are hardly any income opportunities. The refugees are dependent on international aid.
The aim is to create prospects for the young people in the camps and to promote values such as solidarity and cohesion within the Saharawi population.
4,623 children children, adolescents and young adults benefit from our work every year.
the UJSARIO (La Unión de Estudiantes de Saguía el-Hamra y Río de Oro) is the only youth organisation in the Smararefugee camp . terre des hommes schweiz has been supporting the organisation since 2008.
In nine youth centres in the Algerian desert, near the city of Tindouf. The region is known for its extreme climatic conditions. The current project phase covers the years 2023–2025 with an annual budget of CHF 65,000.
terre des hommes schweiz
Kasernenhof 8
4058 Basel