Nigerien criminal networks exploit refugees in Algeria

The President of the Algerian Red Crescent and member of the Human Rights Council Sada Benhbiless Tuesday said more than 18,600 Nigerien nationals were deported to their homeland. They included 5,900 minors and more than 4,000 women.

« The deportation operation was conducted upon request from Niger’s goverment. It asked for help as its nationals were exploited by Nigerien crimnal networks. The operation is still underway, » Benhbiless told a national radio channel.

Speaking about international reports about the protection of refugees in Algeria, she said « those presented figures are wrong. Algeria played a big role in caring for refugees. The last annual report 2016 showed that 37 percent of healt services were intended to refugees. »

She also said a total of 200,000 needy families were reported. « The Red Crescent has recently visited families hit by bad weather. Some of them live in mountains. More than 5,000 families received food, blankets and new clothes. »

An non official organisation called The Algerian Red Crescent’s Frends will be set up. An agreement will eb signed with the National Office of Author’s Rigts will be signed.