OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Algeria  - Floods
12 November 2001


This report summarises information received from the UN Resident
Coordinator's Office in Algiers, Algeria.

Situation:

1.  The latest figures announced by the authorities on national TV on the
evening of 11 November indicate a total of 338 persons killed throughout
the country; among these, there are 316 reported deaths in the capital
city of Algiers.

2.  The same reports indicate dozens of persons missing, and a total of
300 injured. The figures above are still provisional.  Also, bodies
continue to be recovered as the rescue operations continue.

3.  According to the Ministry of the Interior, the total figure of persons
directly affected by the disaster remains at 4,000 families.


Affected Areas:

4.  The worst hit areas are ALGIERS, TIPAZA, RELIZANE, CHLEF, TIARET,
MASCARA, MOSTAGANEN, ORAN and TIZI-OUZOU.

5.  In ALGIERS, most of the damage and deaths occurred in the area of BAB
EL OUED.


Needs:

6.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated to the Office of the UN
Resident Coordinator that the following items are needed: winterized
tents, blankets, water purification equipment, medical kits, chain saws,
and water pumps.


National response:

7.  An emergency meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister,
was held on 11 November; emergency measures were adopted and coordination
arrangements put in place, as follows:

- rescue effort: over 2,000 persons are presently involved in the rescue
operations; over 50 heavy earth moving vehicles have been mobilized;

- a Crisis Team has been established at the level of each Wilaya
("prefecture"), and each Wali ("prefet") is coordinating the effort, on
behalf of the national authorities; an inter-ministerial Crisis Team
headed by the Prime Minister himself has been established;

- emergency measures include the immediate allocation of 1,500
apartments/houses to an equal number of families affected by the disaster
in the Algiers area;

- a financial allocation of 200,000 Algerian dinars (approximately
US$2,700) per affected family has been approved (i.e., for families who
either lost their homes or had their homes severely damaged); in addition,
for families having lost family members, a supplementary allocation of
100,000 Algerian dinars has been approved;

- a labour-intensive programme of reconstruction of roads and housing
infrastructure has been approved, and emergency resources have been
budgeted for this purpose. The programme will benefit unemployed youth.


International response:

8.  OCHA has decided to allocate an Emergency Grant of US$ 30.000 for
local purchase of relief items and or logistical support to assist the
affected population. In addition, the Government of Norway is providing an
Emergency Grant of US$ 30.000 through OCHA to assist the local population.

9.  OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used
for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with
relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be
transferred to:

Bank's name: Chase Manhattan Bank, NY
    Address: International Agencies Branch
             1166, Avenue of Americas, 17th floor
             New York, NY 10036-2708
             USA
A/C name:    United Nations Geneva General Fund
A/C:         485-001802
ABA Code:    021000021 (US Banking Code)
Swift Code:  CHASU33
Reference:   OCHA - Algeria - floods


10.  OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details
concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.

11.  For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA
Geneva, as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and
their corresponding values by item.

12.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident
Coordinator in Algeria and will revert with further information, as it
becomes available.

13.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. Max Bonnel  Direct Tel. +41 22 917  1457
  Mr. Marcel Mikala  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1729

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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