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Algeria: Towards durable solutions for
IDPs?
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Although Algeria has been affected by large-scale internal displacement
caused by the internal conflict that has ravaged the country since the early 1990s, very little information is available on the current situation of the displaced and their numbers. The European Union
estimated in 2002 that violence had displaced one million people, while others put the number as high as 1.5 million. According to government sources, all internally displaced people (IDPs) have
returned home. However, no detailed accounts and statistics on the return have been published. IDMC is currently in contact with the Algerian Government and an update will be issued when more
information becomes available.
While security has steadily improved in the past few years, potential obstacles to finding durable solutions for IDPs seem to persist with access to livelihoods remaining the major concern. Moreover, as confirmed by the April and December 2007 bombings in the capital Algiers and by a number of other security incidents throughout 2007, clashes continue between the Algerian security forces and remaining armed groups, notably the organisation called “al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb”. This latest resurgence in violence seems at the same time to challenge the process of national reconciliation promoted by President Bouteflika and approved by the Algerian people in a 2005 referendum.
Several newspapers have reported on the return home of families displaced by the conflict. No reports, however, have been found on the level of integration of IDPs in their areas of displacement, or on their voluntary resettlement. Comprehensive surveys will be needed to assess whether displacement has come to an end and IDPs have attained a durable solution.
Read full Report on Internal Displacement in Algeria
Contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer
Head of Monitoring and Advocacy Department
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
Norwegian Refugee Council
Chemin de Balexert 7-9
CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)
Tel.: +41 (22) 799 07 03
Fax +41 (22) 799 07 01
www.internal-displacement.org
While security has steadily improved in the past few years, potential obstacles to finding durable solutions for IDPs seem to persist with access to livelihoods remaining the major concern. Moreover, as confirmed by the April and December 2007 bombings in the capital Algiers and by a number of other security incidents throughout 2007, clashes continue between the Algerian security forces and remaining armed groups, notably the organisation called “al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb”. This latest resurgence in violence seems at the same time to challenge the process of national reconciliation promoted by President Bouteflika and approved by the Algerian people in a 2005 referendum.
Several newspapers have reported on the return home of families displaced by the conflict. No reports, however, have been found on the level of integration of IDPs in their areas of displacement, or on their voluntary resettlement. Comprehensive surveys will be needed to assess whether displacement has come to an end and IDPs have attained a durable solution.
Read full Report on Internal Displacement in Algeria
Contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer
Head of Monitoring and Advocacy Department
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
Norwegian Refugee Council
Chemin de Balexert 7-9
CH-1219 Châtelaine (Geneva)
Tel.: +41 (22) 799 07 03
Fax +41 (22) 799 07 01
www.internal-displacement.org
