Malnutrition Rates Rose in Long-Term Refugee Camps
Children in Tindouf face increased health risks as international response plans struggle with funding and census gaps.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Nutrition
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The UN has reported rising rates of acute malnutrition, stunting, and anemia among residents in the Tindouf camps, where approximately 80% of the population faces food insecurity. Morocco has requested that the UNHCR prioritize voluntary return and resettlement as the camps reach over 50 years of continuous operation.
Why it matters
Prolonged displacement in these camps has left generations without access to adequate nutrition, which significantly heightens the risk of developmental health issues in children. The current reliance on humanitarian aid, which is chronically underfunded, has failed to reverse these persistent health trends.
Official reports indicate rising acute malnutrition and anemia among children, compounded by significant discrepancies in refugee population estimates between the UN and UNHCR. These conditions persist despite ongoing international efforts to fund food and health services.
The players
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, responsible for coordinating international aid and long-term settlement solutions.
United Nations (UN)
The international body that maintains global health data and provides oversight of humanitarian response plans for displaced populations.
The details
Food insecurity impacts the health of these refugees by limiting access to essential nutrients, which is directly linked to the reported increases in stunting and anemia. Beyond nutritional deficits, the lack of an accurate census hampers the delivery of healthcare services, including the vaccination of 30,000 children under five who remain at risk of immunization gaps. Morocco is now urging a shift toward permanent solutions to address these systemic failures.
Timeline
1975: Sahrawi refugees first began living in the Tindouf camps.
October 31, 2025: The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797.
October 1, 2026: The UN Secretary-General issued a draft report on camp health conditions.
October 13, 2026: Morocco presented its appeal during the UNHCR Executive Committee session.
Health Landscape
The situation in the Tindouf camps underscores the limitations of long-term humanitarian reliance in managing the health of displaced populations. It marks a departure from standard emergency response, highlighting the need for permanent solutions to address entrenched nutritional deficits.
The rising rates of malnutrition and anemia in these camps emphasize the critical nature of nutritional stability for pediatric development. Identifying and managing these risks remains a priority for aid organizations and is worth discussing with your doctor if you are managing nutritional concerns in high-risk areas.
The takeaway
The nutritional crisis in long-term camps highlights the severe health consequences of persistent, underfunded displacement. Families facing food insecurity should track nutritional markers and consult with healthcare providers regarding necessary dietary support and available public health resources.
Further reading
For more on how food systems impact public health, visit our Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Morocco World News.
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Should funding for long-term refugee camps shift toward prioritized repatriation and resettlement programs?
