OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Algeria  - Floods
13 November 2001


The Government of Algeria urgently requests international assistance.

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 12 November indicate a dramatic increase in the number of
persons killed by the catastrophic rains and floods: 575 persons were
killed throughout the country (among 538 reported deaths in Algiers).

2.  Dozens of persons remain missing, and a total of 316 injured. Above
figures are still provisional.

3.  Out of the total official number of 4,000 families affected by the
disaster, it is estimated that 90% are in the ALGIERS area (3,5 million
inhabitants), especially in the low-lying, low-income areas of BAB EL
OUED. The remaining 10% are in TIPAZA, AIN TENOUCHENT, CHLEF, BOUMERDES,
ORAN, MOSTAGANEM and MASCARA.

4.  More rains are expected in the coming three days in northern Algeria
according to WMO. The peak is for Wednesday.


Communications

5.  Substantial damage to infrastructure was caused by the deluge, mud and
debris. Road and railway traffic continues to suffer interruptions in
different parts of northern and western Algeria which were hit by the
heavy rains and floods. In the Algiers area, several roads remain cut.

6.  The Minister of the Interior appealed to the population of the capital
city through the national media on 11 November to refrain from unnecessary
movement for the next 48 hours, so as to avoid further traffic congestion
in parts of town.


Needs

7.  The Government of Algeria requests international assistance in the
following areas (as mentioned in OCHA Situation Reports 1 and 2):
winterized tents, blankets, sanitation/medical kits, water purification
equipment, chain saws, water pumps, electric generators, field lamps and
sleeping bags.


National response

8.  The President of the Republic and the Prime Minister visited the
worst-affected area of Bab El Oued on 12 November. A three-day national
mourning has been declared. On the same evening, rescue operations were
momentarily hindered by renewed rains which fell in the Algiers area.

9.  Search and rescue operations are continuing, and bodies continue to be
recovered from the mud and rubble in different parts of the city; several
bodies were recovered from the sea, near the port in Algiers.

10.  Media reported a great effort of national solidarity, spontaneous, by
the population of Algiers: for instance, over 200 persons went to blood
banks in major hospitals in Algiers in order to give blood (morning of 12
November).


International response

11.  Several Governments have already replied to the emergency:

12.  The Italian government is providing relief material from the United
Nations Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi, which will arrive on
Wednesday 13 November. It includes 20 winterized tents, for 10 persons
each, 20 winterized tents for 15-20 people each, 8,000 blankets, 30
kitchen sets for communities (adapted for camping sites), 100 kitchen sets
for families, 5 generators (13 Kw), 5 generators (6 Kw), 2 emergency
health kits (medicines for 10,000 persons), and 5 water pumps. The
donation is worth USD 149,496.

13.  France is sending a cargo aircraft with relief supplies (tents,
blankets and sanitation equipment).  Earth moving equipment and other
rescue operation supplies are to arrive with an additional group of 60
disaster relief professionals (French Civil Protection) in coming days.
The Algerian Embassy in France has opened a bank account as a possible
channel for voluntary cash contributions for the disaster.

14.  Libya has dispatched a cargo aircraft with 70 MT. of rice, tents,
blankets and mattresses.

15.  Germany is shipping 12,000 blankets by air cargo to Algiers.

16.  The European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is releasing
758,000 (approx. USD 670,000) for humanitarian relief assistance to be
channeled through MSF France and Belgium and the IFRC.

17.  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
on Monday appealed for two million Swiss francs (USD 1,22 million) to help
victims of the floods. The money is needed to assist 6,000 families
(24,000 individuals) for up to three months in shelter, food, clean water,
blankets, warm clothing and basic health care.

18.  The OPEC Fund for International Development today approved an
emergency assistance grant of $400,000 to help purchase relief supplies
for victims of the floods and mudslides that struck several areas of
Northern and Western Algeria this past weekend.

19.  The NGO Medecins du Monde is dispatching one emergency team (1
medical doctor and one logistician), with medicines and water purification
equipment.

20.  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.


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

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

23.  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.

24.  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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