Sahrawi refugee camps

The Sahrawi refugee camps are five settlements in Tindouf Province that house around 173,000 Sahrawi and sit in one of Algeria's driest regions. Life here is defined by extreme desert heat and sparse landscape that strikes visitors immediately.

The camps were established in 1975 when Sahrawi fled their territories after Morocco took control of Western Sahara following Spain's withdrawal. This exodus created one of the longest displacements in modern times.

The four main settlements carry the names of Western Sahara cities: Laayoune, Smara, Dakhla, and Auserd, keeping the connection to their homeland alive. This choice reflects the hope of one day returning to those places.

Visitors should expect very few green spaces and extremely harsh conditions with limited modern facilities. It is important to bring plenty of water and prepare for intense heat, especially during the warmest months.

The camps function as a self-governing system with their own administrative structures, schools, and services despite being in one of the world's most remote desert areas. This unexpected organizational capacity shows how a community manages to coexist under extreme circumstances.

Inception: 1975

GPS coordinates: 27.60283,-8.09650

Latest update: December 20, 2025 02:56