Smara refugee camp
Smara refugee camp
مخيم السمارة | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 27°29′26″N 7°49′37″W / 27.49056°N 7.82694°W | |
| Country | Algeria |
| Province | Tindouf |
| Population (2003) | |
• Total | 39,000 |
Smara refugee camp (Arabic: مخيم السمارة) is one of the Sahrawi refugee camps located in Tindouf province in southwest Algeria. According to UNHCR statistics and the Algerian Red Crescent, the camp has a population of about 39,000 Sahrawi refugees. Attempts to create an accurate census have been met with resistance from the Moroccan government. The refugee camp was named after the Western Saharan city of Smara. It is located about 30 miles (50 km) from Tindouf.
After his visit to the Smara refugee camp, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke of a "human tragedy" and said the world "must act" to help the Sahrawi people. He rejected criticism from Morocco of his remarks on Western Sahara, and pledged to push for action to advance peace efforts.