Donate
Donate

Donate

Western Sahara

Solidarity with young people in the forgotten conflict

Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco occupied in 1975.Many Saharawis fled to refugee camps in the barren desert of Algeria to escape the fled. They have been living there for 50 years there for 174 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.

Voices on site

"I have lived in the desert since I was born and know no other life. What unites all Saharawis is the hope for a peaceful solution."
Portrait Mädchen Westsahara - terre des hommes schweiz

Mariam Abdaslam
17 years

Background

The Sahrawi refugee camps are located in an area with extreme climatic conditions: The region is characterized by the Sahara, with high temperatures, little rainfall and very limited natural resources. A UN referendum on the self-determination of the Sahrawi people has so far from Morocco. The third generation is now growing Saharawis in the camps. Despite a high level of education, especially of the young Saharawis, there are hardly any income opportunities. The Refugees are dependent on international aid.

Project goals

The aim is to create prospects for the young people in the camps and to promote values such as solidarity and cohesion within the Sahrawi population.

Project activities

Junge Sahraui Frauen sitzen im Zelt - terre des hommes schweiz
  • Youth work. We have supported 373,000 young people in 10 project countries.
  • Educational offers: We offer courses in IT, languages, cooking and sewing as well as workshops on topics such as first aid and traditional dances.
  • Cooperatives: We strengthen income-generating cooperatives such as vegetable gardens, fish farms and sewing workshops, first aid coursescouscous production, henna technique workshops and hairdressing courses.
  • Lobbying: We support the Saharawis in their peaceful struggle for the right to self-determination and promote their information and advocacy work so that the world can their situation is not forgotten.
Junge Frau bäckt Pizza im Kurs - Projekt Westsahara - terre des hommes schweiz
A welcome change of pace: The pizza-making course is very popular.

Beneficiaries

Our work benefits 4623 children children, adolescents and young adultsadults.

Our partner organization

The UJSARIO (La Unión de Estudiantes de Saguía el-Hamra y Río de Oro) is the only youth organization in the refugee camp Smara. terre des hommes switzerland has been supporting the organization since 2008.

Project location and phase

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.