Copenhagen, March 16, 2012 (SPS) - Members of Danish Parliament, European Parliament, a political party and various Organizations have sent Friday a letter to Mr. Villy Soevndal, the Danish Minster of Foreign Affairs to draw his attention to the dismal humanitarian situation of the Saharawi refugee Camps, according to the Polisario representation to Denmark.
” The monthly portion of basic food distributed to the Saharawi Refugees doesn’t cover 50% of the individual need” wrote the signatories. A high level of malnutrition and anemia was found amongst the refugees. 30% of children under the age of 5 from malnutrition, while 53% suffer from anemia. 56% of pregnant women suffer from anemia, which increases to 67% amongst breastfeeding women” warned the signatories of the letter.
“the UNHCR’s office in the Saharawi Refugee Camps and the NGOs operating in these camps stressed during their annual meeting in October 2011, that the minimum amount of money required to cover the basic needs in the different sectors for 2012 is US$ 32 million. The budgeted aid by the UNHCR for this year is US$ 8,7 million” they wrote.
“Part of this aid reduction is probably due to the present economic downturn, but another reason is that Morocco has been continuously pressurizing the UN into not giving the refugees more aid. The strategy of the Moroccan regime is to starve the Saharawi refugees into accepting the Moroccan position. ” they added.
The signatories of the letter urged the Danish Government to give a regular and direct humanitarian aid to the Saharawi refugees in the refugee camps. "This can be done via the Red Cross or Red Crescent, which is present in the refugee camps, or via the UNHCR office in the refugee camps." (SPS)
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