THE U.S. ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR SAHRAWI REFUGEES

USPA NEWS - On November 25, 2015, was announced by the Office of the Spokesperson of the United States Department of States, the Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sahrawi Refugees in Response to Severe Floods...

On November 25, 2015, was announced by the Office of the Spokesperson of the United States Department of States, the Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sahrawi Refugees in Response to Severe Floods.


'In response to catastrophic flooding in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, the United States announces a contribution of more than $4 million in humanitarian assistance to help meet the acute needs of Sahrawi refugees. This new contribution includes support for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Program, and the UN Children´s Fund. '

'These funds will be used to support the reconstruction of shelters, schools, and health clinics. They will also help replace food rations that were destroyed by the flooding.'

'The devastation across the five camps is unprecedented, with some 7,000 families left homeless and 30,000 without access to health care. Through this contribution, the United States continues to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of the Sahrawi refugees and calls on other nations to support the Sahrawis in their time of need.'

According to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC ) although generally sparsely populated, some 90,000 people living in refugee camps in the region were affected, 35,000 of them severely. More than 17,000 homes were damaged by the flood waters and torrential rain, half of which were totally destroyed....Since the onset of the disaster, Red Crescent teams have been on the ground providing assistance to those in greatest need. Many families lost practical items like mattresses and water containers in the deluge, and a large number of latrines have also been destroyed or rendered unusable... (Floodlist)

'With stagnant water left behind by the floods, Red Crescent volunteers have been actively promoting hygiene practices, in an effort to prevent the spread of diseases. In response to the crisis, the Red Crescent has collected more than 1,400 tonnes of food items, including staples such as rice and lentils, from communities that were not affected and have provided this relief to those in need. Non-food items, including mattresses, blankets and clothing have also been provided to affected families. (Floodlist)

The United Nations Failure in Southern Morocco (Global Security in 1997) :

' In June 1991, the United Nations sent a multinational military mission to stop the war between the State of Morocco and group of people called Polisario in the southern region formerly called the 'Western Sahara'. The key problem for UN peace keeping was how to solve difficulties of implementating a political solution through a referendum. So the mission of the UN peace keeping operation was to restrain local security forces, identify and register voters, conduct the referendum, certify the results, and supervise the losing side's withdrawal or disarmament.'

'But from 1991 until now, the UN has failed to solve the conflict and conduct a referendum in the region. Even if this failure continues in the region and the UN leaves the territory, it will not likely result in a war, because Morocco now controls more than 90% of the land, and the Polisario doesn't have any military support from the major countries that formally supported them (especially Algeria and Libya).'

Ruby BIRD
http://www.portfolio.uspa24.com/