Shaheed El-Hafed, September 26, 2015 (SPS) – Prime Minister Abdelkader Taleb Omar received, Saturday at the SADR Presidency, the Chair of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR ExCom), Mr. Pedro Comissario, who is on visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps to find out about the humanitarian situation.
The two sides discussed the suffering situation of the Sahrawi refugees and the difficult circumstances endured by the Saharawi people, where the Prime Minister stressed the responsibility of his guest on the deteriorating humanitarian situation, which may result in political and security risks that cannot be controlled.
The meeting was attended by members of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front and the SADR government and President of the Saharawi Red Crescent Mr. Bouhbaini Yahia.
Mr. Comissario confirmed in a statement to the Sahrawi media, "the objective of this visit is to find out the suffering situation of the Sahrawi refugees and to express to them the solidarity of the international community with them," expressing his gratitude to the Algeria government and people for the support of the refugees.
For his part, the President of the Saharawi Red Crescent indicated that "the visit comes as response to the appeal launched by the Sahrawi Red Crescent and its support partners to intervene and witness the situation of the Sahrawi people that undergo critical humanitarian conditions due the failure of the international community to find a solution to ensure this people's right to self-determination and independence."
Mr. Comissario had arrived Thursday in the Sahrawi refugee camps on a visit lasts until Sunday, led him to the Wilayas of Boujdour and Smara and some national institutions, where he visited social facilities such as education, health, water and centers for people with special needs and listened to explanations on the functioning of these institutions. He also met with some of the refugees and listened to their concerns who confirmed their frustration to the lack of progress for a solution that guarantees the right of self-determination as soon as possible, as well as the decline witnessed in humanitarian aid.
The UNHCR Executive Committee meets once a year in the Swiss city of Geneva to discuss and approve the Organization's programs and budgets. It also provides an advisory opinion on issues related to international protection and the study of various issues with UNHCR and government and non-governmental partners. (SPS)
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