Everything from Nothing: Sahrawi women in Algeria rewrite stories of resilience

In the vast arid expanses of Tindouf, in southwestern Algeria, live tens of thousands of Sahrawis. Since 1975, these refugees have survived in camps, far from their homelands in the western Sahara region, facing extreme conditions. Yet in the last few years, fluctuations in the prices of basic food items on international markets have exacerbated shortages of food, vaccines and medical equipment that the Sahrawis have access to. This, combined with increasingly difficult weather conditions, makes daily life extremely complicated.

The support of UN agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR), UN Children's Agency (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) has been crucial in helping the Sahrawis lead dignified lives. Yet, with mounting needs, greater international solidarity and support is vital so they are no longer left behind. UN agencies and partners have launched a 2024-2025 response plan to meet the needs of 173,600 Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. With a budget of $214 million, this plan aims to improve food security, health, education and access to water, while strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable solutions that guarantee their autonomy and improve their quality of life.

In this video, hear from Azza Mebarak, 24, and Jamila Shelh, 34, who are community leaders in the refugee camps. At the age of 18, Azza co-founded a charity called Badhrat El Khayr with her friends. Their mission: To provide essential support to the most vulnerable families in the camps. Whether it’s distributing clothes, diapers, or baby formula, or raising money for medical care abroad, Azza is dedicated to her community.

Jamila Shelh on the other hand is a respected figure in the Smara camp. A midwife since 2017, she embodies the commitment of Sahrawi women in the health field. Inspired by her mother, who was also a midwife, Jamila has made caring for women and children her vocation. In the clinic where she works, the days are full: monitoring pregnancies, caring for young children, vaccinations and home visits after births.

Azza and Jamila are the face of Sahrawi resilience. Their commitment shows that, even in adversity, the human spirit can overcome the greatest trials. Their stories remind the international community that it cannot lose sight of the lives and dreams of the community behind the numbers.

For more information about the UN's work n Algeria, visit algeria.un.org.