Sahrawi Desert Lab Keeps Medicines Flowing Amid Sand, Funding Gaps

The Mohamed Embarek Fakal·la Pharmaceutical Production Laboratory, dubbed a “desert rose,” has been operating since the mid-1990s within the Sahrawi refugee camps of Tindouf, Algeria, producing paracetamol, ibuprofen, eye drops, antibiotics and other medicines for the displaced population. Eleven technicians, led by director Mohamed Lamin Abdi, contend with relentless sand, high temperatures and frequent equipment failures, while also facing chronic shortages of active ingredients and containers.

Funding, historically supplied by Medicus Mundi Mediterrània, the Catalan Fund for Development Cooperation, AECID and other donors, has declined over the past two years, creating cash-flow challenges. The lab proved vital during the COVID-19 crisis by manufacturing hand sanitizer and now fulfills the entire demand for sodium-chloride irrigation bags, reducing costly imports. Recent projects blend traditional Sahrawi herbal knowledge into vitamin and iron capsules that have shown promise in improving hemoglobin levels among women and children. Despite limited staff salaries and the exodus of younger workers, the facility remains a critical emergency reserve for the camps' healthcare system.