Algeria — humanitarian situation

Algeria experienced a severe wildfire emergency in mid-July 2026, with 154 forest, vegetation, and agricultural fires recorded within 24 hours on 18 July across multiple wilayas in the northern, north-eastern, central, and western regions IFRC. The affected areas included Annaba, Souk Ahras, Skikda, Guelma, Bouira, Médéa, Mila, Mascara, El Tarf, Jijel, Sétif, Béjaïa, Tlemcen, Saïda, and Tissemsilt, with 138 fires extinguished and 16 remaining active at the time of initial reporting CRA, IFRC. The wildfire sequence had begun in early July, indicating a sustained period of fire activity across the country. WFP provided 133,672 rations and distributed 2,227 metric tons of food in July 2026, alongside USD 180,987 in cash transfers. However, the operation faces imminent funding constraints with a pipeline break expected by September 2026, threatening the continuity of general food assistance for affected populations. WFP requires USD 12.3 million for the next six months from August 2026 to January 2027 to sustain critical food and nutrition assistance, with urgent donor support needed to prevent disruption of services. Algeria continues to serve as a country of origin for mixed migration flows in North Africa. Between April and June 2026, Algeria was among the most frequently reported countries of origin for refugees and migrants arriving in Italy by sea, alongside Bangladesh, Sudan, and Somalia UNHCR. Broader regional trends in the Central Mediterranean Route showed a 57 percent increase in recorded deaths and disappearances compared to the same period in 2025, despite a 52 percent decline in sea arrivals to Italy, suggesting heightened risks for migrants attempting the crossing MMC. Additionally, isolated desert locust adults were observed at some locations in Algeria during July monitoring activities FAO.