New York (United Nations), August 24, 2025 (SPS) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, in his annual report on Western Sahara presented during the 80th session of the General Assembly, warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis faced by over 170,000 Sahrawi refugees in the camps near Tindouf, Algeria.
The report noted that "dwindling humanitarian assistance" has impacted "food, gas, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition" (paragraph 20), with malnutrition rates reaching 13% and stunting exceeding 30%, despite repeated contributions from the host country, Algeria, to compensate for part of the 30% reduction in World Food Programme rations.
The report mentioned that the 2024–2025 Humanitarian Response Plan achieved some gains; however, "major needs persist," with a funding gap of "$103.9 million in 2025" (paragraph 20). These figures reflect the fragility of the humanitarian situation and the continued dependence of Sahrawi refugees on international aid in the absence of a just political solution to end their decades-long suffering.
This humanitarian deterioration is inextricably linked to the continued Moroccan occupation of the territory, which prevents the Sahrawi people from returning to their land, exercising full sovereignty over it, and realizing their aspirations and hopes for developing their homeland and benefiting from its resources. Furthermore, the suspension of "confidence-building measures" related to family reunification (paragraph 22) has increased the suffering of the refugees and prolonged the separation of families.
The Secretary-General called on the international community to assume its legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards this forcibly exiled people, to work towards providing urgent funding, and to ensure the sustainable delivery of aid until a political solution is achieved that guarantees the refugees' right to a voluntary and dignified return to their homeland.
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