Western Sahara is a forgotten conflict. For over 30 years more than 160 000 refugees have lived in four separate refugee camps, isolated from the outside world in the Algerian Sahara desert. Temperatures range from the scorching to the freezing and the camps are totally dependent on external support, such as from The World Food Program.More than 80 countries have gained independence since the United Nations was founded, but not the Western Sahara - it is now the last colony of Africa.
Several UN resolutions affirm that the Sahrawis have the right to referendum which will decide their own future, yet the world still refuses to uphold international law and bring the occupation to an end. The Sahrawi people have declared their own republic in exile, which has been recognized by more than 90 other states. As the situation is now, an entire people is divided from one another by Marroco's 2,200 kilometre-long wall which separates the Sahrawis in the occupied areas from those in the refugee camps.
SahaNor is an exchange program between the Red Cross Nordic United World College and the Ministry of Sport and Youth/Polisario which is the governing body of the Saharawi people. The project is made possible with the funding and encouragement of Fredskorpset, the Norwegian Peace Corps. It is a reciprocal exchange with two Arabic teachers coming to Norway and six Norwegian volunteers teaching English in Algeria. Please keep in mind that this blog reflects our personal experiences and opinions and are not the official views of our partner organisations. Also, feel free to promote this blog to anyone you like. Our aim is that more people around the world will know about the situation for the refugees. Hopefully, more attention and awareness about the conflict will increase the chances of a free and independent Western Sahara.
