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A new charity campaign has been launched in Águilas to collect essential supplies for Sahrawi refugees living in camps in the Algerian desert.

 

The initiative is being organised by the Association of Friends of the Sahrawi People of Águilas, which is calling on residents to donate basic goods for families who have now spent almost 50 years in exile.

 

The Sahrawi people are originally from Western Sahara, a territory in North Africa that was formerly a Spanish colony. Following Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, control of the territory was disputed, leading to conflict and the displacement of tens of thousands of Sahrawis.

 

Many have since lived in refugee camps near Tindouf, in Algeria, where generations have grown up in harsh desert conditions and remain heavily dependent on international aid.

 

According to organisers in Águilas, the humanitarian situation in the camps remains critical, with ongoing shortages of food and basic supplies.

 

The current campaign is focusing on collecting non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, pulses, tinned goods, sugar, flour and oil. Nappies and feminine hygiene products are also particularly needed.

Donations can be dropped off on Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, between 6pm and 8pm at the former Social Services office on Calle Floridablanca in Águilas.

 

 

A cultural event in solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic will also take place on Saturday March 7 at 7.30pm at the Francisco Rabal Cultural Centre. The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which was marked on February 28. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make donations there.

 

The campaign is being supported by Águilas Town Hall, whose collaboration organisers describe as essential to the initiative.

 

The Association of Friends of the Sahrawi People has appealed to the solidarity of local residents, stressing that even small contributions can help improve living conditions for a community that has spent decades awaiting a lasting political solution.

 

For more local events, news and visiting information, contact the tourist office of Águilas (telephone 968 493285) or go to the home page of Águilas Today.