The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a US$560,000 contribution from the US State Department to support the WFP’s innovative fish farm in Algeria’s Tindouf refugee camps
This is the second US contribution to WFP’s activities in Algeria that provide refugees with livelihood opportunities and enhance food security in the camps.
The US contribution will allow WFP to increase access to fresh fish produced at the world’s first fish farm in a refugee camp, with an expected annual production of 21,000 kg of tilapia fish.
Tilapia, a resilient fish that can withstand high temperatures, is raised in cycles of eight months in several basins. The farm was built in partnership with French non-government organisation, Triangle Génération Humanitaire, with funding from the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. WFP has been testing the technique since February this year and trained a team of 15 refugees.
Imed Khanfir, WFP representative and country director in Algeria, said, “A fish farm in the desert seems like a crazy idea at first but the technique has been successfully implemented under similar conditions in Algeria and the last months have shown that it can be replicated in these refugee camps where groundwater is available.”
For more than 40 years, the refugees from Western Sahara have been living under extremely harsh conditions in five camps in the desert, near the Algerian town of Tindouf. Despite regular food assistance, malnutrition rates and anaemia prevalence remain a challenge, especially among women and children. Refugees rely almost entirely on WFP monthly food rations and have limited access to fresh produce.
“This fish farm is a successful addition to WFP’s low-tech hydroponic units introduced in the camp two years ago allowing refugees to grow fresh animal fodder in just seven days,” stated Khanfir. “These food solutions can be replicated anywhere in the world to support the food needs of vulnerable families living in harsh environments.’’
