PDES calls for refugee registration in Tindouf camps

The non-governmental organization ‘Promotion of Economic and Social Development’ (PDES) has called for the establishment of a credible registration and documentation system for residents in the Tindouf camps, located in southwestern Algeria. Speaking at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, representative Aicha Douihi highlighted a persistent gap in the official registration of refugees.

Currently, residents rely on personal documents issued exclusively by an identification center within the camps. PDES argues that a more reliable system is necessary to accurately identify individuals and their needs, facilitate access to rights and services, and protect against violations. The organization emphasized that as displacement becomes protracted across generations, the approach must move beyond immediate humanitarian aid—such as food, water, and health—toward long-term protection and legal documentation.

PDES urged Algeria, as the host country, to enhance cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to create a trustworthy pathway for documentation. This would allow for more precise data to guide humanitarian responses and support sustainable solutions for displaced populations.