Migration Trends in Algeria

Algeria is one of the last stop of a long journey that Sub-Saharan and West African migrants undertake upon reaching and establishing in North Africa and possibly Europe. The IOM Data Tracking Matrix (DTM) reports that between 30 June 2016 and 30 April 2017, most the migrants surveyed along migratory routes indicated their intention to travel to Algeria and Libya while 37% say they wanted to go to Europe, mainly to Spain. According to the same survey, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Niger constitute the main transit countries for migrants after Mali. It shows an increase in the number of people declaring they will transit through Algeria.

Findings on routes used by migrants from Senegal and Nigeria show a similar pattern of an increasing intention to use the routes through Algeria in view of reaching Libya. Algeria can also be considered as a haven for Palestinians, Syrians and Yemenis who fled their war-torn countries to seek safety.

After often long and dangerous journeys, migrants often find themselves stranded without resources, in poor physical condition (hungry, badly clothed, signs of physical violence, tired and sick), without any documents, means of communication and information about the living conditions/infrastructures prevailing in Algeria as well as the administrative procedures to engage in safer migration options.

In this context, the BOSLA Algeria platform aims to provide information on services available to migrants in irregular situation, asylum seekers, rejected asylum seekers and refugees in Algeria.