The Algerian International Cooperation Agency for Solidarity and Development and UNICEF Algeria sign a key partnership for the immunization of Saharawi refugee children

ALGIERS and TINDOUF, 16 December 2024 - The Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (AICA) and UNICEF country office in Algeria have signed a partnership agreement to support the immunization programme for children in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, a key initiative to ensure their survival and a better start in life.

This generous contribution from AICA of more than 25,000 doses of vaccine worth approximately US$350,000., follows the appeal for donations launched by UNICEF in Algeria in July 2024 after the deterioration of the health situation in the Saharawi refugee camps, marked by the appearance of the first cases of measles confirmed by the Pasteur Institute of Algeria in March 2024, the vulnerability of the refugee camps to disease outbreaks in neighboring regions (e.g., polio, measles, diphtheria) and a 53% increase in the budget devoted to vaccination with the introduction of the new vaccination calendar.

Thanks to the decisive support of AICA, 6,000 Sahrawi refugee children will receive their first vaccines, in addition to the 21,000 children under the age of 5 who will be covered by the various immunization campaigns. UNICEF in Algeria is therefore able to protect them from preventable diseases that could otherwise endanger their lives or have lifelong consequences. This intervention is being carried out by UNICEF in Algeria as part of its humanitarian programme under the United Nations Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan (SRRP) for the period 2024-2025.

Speaking at the end of a field visit to vaccination centers in refugee camps near Tindouf, organized yesterday, Sunday 15^th  with a delegation from AICA, the UNICEF Representative in Algeria, Ms. Katarina Johansson, said: “I would like to thank the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (AICA) for its generosity and support for UNICEF's humanitarian programme in the Sahrawi refugee camps. Thanks to this important contribution from AICA, which joins those of other UNICEF donors, we and our partners are able to protect and ensure a better start in life for Saharawi refugee children and ensure their right to health and survival.”

AICA's Director General, Abed Hallouz, said: “AICA's contribution to UNICEF vaccination programme for Saharawi refugee children is in line with the Agency's mission to promote humanitarian action, particularly in Africa”’.