Spanish families to host Sahrawi children in summer initiative

Spain’s annual “Holidays in Peace” programme is placing Sahrawi children with Spanish families during the summer as part of a humanitarian initiative, state owned Algerian AL24 News reported on 23 March.

The programme allows children from Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, to spend the summer months in Spain, where they receive accommodation, food and access to healthcare services that are limited in the camps. The initiative also offers a break from extreme desert temperatures, which can exceed 50 degrees Celsius during summer.

Spanish authorities described the initiative as a long-standing effort to improve children’s health and living conditions during their stay in Spain.

Around 50 volunteer families are expected to host children in Madrid this summer, the city council said. The children will undergo medical check-ups and, where necessary, receive treatment including dental and eye care. The council said it would continue to support the programme in 2026, including funding travel costs.

In the southern province of Huelva, 105 children are expected to take part in the programme this year. However, local organisers said that 17 children had not yet been matched with host families and appealed for additional volunteers. The initiative allows children to improve their nutrition and access medical examinations that are difficult to obtain in the camps.

The programme in Huelva is coordinated by the Provincial Federation of Associations in Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, which also organises humanitarian efforts including the “Caravan for Peace” campaign which sends food, medical supplies and school materials directly to the camps in Tindouf.

It runs annually across several Spanish regions, with participation coordinated by local associations and municipalities.

Sahrawi refugees have lived in camps in southwestern Algeria since Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975. Many families have limited access to basic services and depend on humanitarian assistance.

AL24 News, The Government of Spain and Council of Ministers, Madrid City Council, San Juan del Puerto City Council, Maghrebi.org