In the Tindouf refugee camps, Messaouda Sustains Her Family with Resilience and Support from WFP

In the remote desert of southwestern Algeria, near the town of Tindouf, life is shaped by hardship and resilience. For over five decades, Sahrawi refugees have lived in camps scattered across this arid landscape, where temperatures soar, resources are scarce, and opportunities are limited.

Among them is Messaouda, a 45-year-old mother whose daily life reflects both the challenges of displacement and the importance of sustained humanitarian support.

Messaouda and her daughter carrying some WFP food commodities back home. ©WFP/Algeria

Inside her modest shelter, carefully arranged mats, cooking utensils, and food supplies reveal a household organized around survival and dignity. Food must be carefully stored and stretched, meals prepared with efficiency, and resources shared among family members.

Access to food in the camps remains heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance. The harsh desert environment makes agriculture difficult, and economic opportunities are scarce. For families like Messaouda’s, regular food assistance is a lifeline.

Preparing the distributed Barley before cooking it. ©WFP/Algeria

Through its operations in the camps, the World Food Programme (WFP) provides monthly food rations thanks to donors like the European Union. These rations cover basic nutritional needs and include cereals, pulses, vegetable oil and fortified products to help prevent malnutrition, particularly among women and children.

WFP’s general food assistance at one of the final distribution points at the Awserd refugee camp ©WFP/Algeria

However, available assistance does not always cover families’ needs throughout the month, and combined with severe water scarcity, extreme heat, frequent sandstorms, and recurring electricity outages, life in the camps remains extremely challenging.

“While we appreciate the good quality of the food provided, the quantities are insufficient and do not last for the entire month,” Messaouda says.

Much of the responsibility for managing these constraints falls on women like Messaouda. They are at the heart of food security in the camps, managing food supplies, preparing meals, rationing limited resources, and making difficult decisions to ensure that every family member is cared for. Their ability to stretch scarce resources and adapt to changing conditions is critical for household survival.

A group of women involved in WFP’s food distribution. ©WFP/Algeria

Despite the difficulties in the camps, a strong sense of solidarity binds the community together. Families support one another, particularly during times of shortage. Social gatherings, though simple, remain an essential part of life and offer moments of connection and resilience.

“Even in the hardest times, we rely on each other as a community. Sharing what little we have brings us strength and dignity,” Messaouda says. “When one family struggles, we stand together, because supporting each other is the only way we can move forward and give our children hope.”

In addition to her family members, Messaouda is sharing the meal with some neighbours. ©WFP/Algeria

For Messaouda, one of the greatest priorities is ensuring that children in her family grow up healthy. In refugee settings like Tindouf, malnutrition, particularly among young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, can have long-term consequences.

This is why WFP complements food distributions with programmes aimed at improving dietary diversity and resilience, including fortified foods and targeted nutrition support for vulnerable groups. These interventions are critical in a context where food insecurity remains a constant concern.

“My family is my top priority. It is very important to me that my children have access to proper nutrition so they can grow up healthy and strong. Good health enables them to stay focused, perform well in their studies, and build a solid foundation for their education. This, in turn, reassures me that they will have better opportunities and a brighter future ahead.”

Children waiting for their mother at the food distribution point. ©WFP/Algeria

Beyond meeting immediate needs, Messaouda hopes to secure a better future for the next generation, one where her children and grandchildren can thrive beyond the constraints of the camps.

“Despite everything we have been through, I hold on to hope. I want my children to grow up with dignity, to have opportunities I never had, and to believe that their future can be brighter than our past.”

WFP has been supporting Sahrawi refugees since 1986. While humanitarian assistance has helped stabilize living conditions, needs remain high. Sustained donor support, such as that from the European Union, remains critical to ensure that families like Messaouda’s can continue to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.