OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Algeria  - Floods
14 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 13 November
indicate a provisional number of 583 people killed and 318 wounded by the
catastrophic rains and floods throughout the country (among 538 reported
deaths and 300 wounded in Algiers).

2.  Though many families are still looking for relatives, the official
number of reported missing people is as low as 8 persons. All above
figures are still provisional.

3.  Showers, snow and black ice have cut many roads and trails in western
wilayas (SIDI BEL ABBES, TLEMCEN, RELIZANE, MOSTAGANEM, MASCARA and AIN
TENOUCHENT), center (TIPAZA) and eastern wilaya (TEBESSA).

4.  As mentioned in previous Situation Reports, ALGIERS is the most
affected area, particularly the localities of AIN BENINA, RAIS HAMIDOU and
HAMMAMET, which are isolated. BAB EL OUED district (200,000 inhabitants)
is also isolated, electricity, gas and telephone connections interrupted.
Food supply is difficult. Several buildings threaten to collapse. Algiers'
port has also been adversely affected, thus reducing economic activities.


Needs

5.  Response to the Government of Algeria's identified needs can be
directly sent to:

   A) In kind

   Comité "Solidarité Algérie" (Siège du Consulat Général)
   308 bis Route de Lausanne
   1293 Bellevue - Genève
   Tel. (022) 774 19 19
   Fax (022) 774 19 06
   Switzerland


   B) In cash

   Compte postal "Solidarité Algérie"
   CCP 17-438510-9
   CP 14-1293 Bellevue - Genève - Switzerland


National response

6.  Search and rescue operations carried out by the Algerian Civil
Protection with the assistance of affected people are continuing. Since 13
November, 31 agents of the Moroccan Civil Protection as well as a team of
the NGO Medecins du Monde are assisting national rescuers.

7.  First relocations of affected families, which started on 13 November,
have already benefited 210 families, according to official sources. Tents
were distributed amongst affected people waiting for relocation.

8.  The Ministry of Health has launched a programme of medical and
psychological assistance as well as free distribution of medicine to the
affected populations.


International response

9.  Contributions reported to OCHA since Situation Report N°3 are the
following:

10.  The Belgian government has decided to send relief assistance to
Algeria to be distributed by Belgium First Aid and Support Team (B-FAST).
It comprises three C-130 flights with respectively (1) 3,200 blankets; (2)
2 electric generators (100 KVA), 3 light Trolleys, 3,000 individual
nutrition kits accompanied by two technicians for an initial period of
seven days; (3) 70 tents ?capacity 600 persons-, 1 electric generator (50
KVA) and 1,300 nutrition kits.

11.  The United States Office of Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has made
available USD 25,000 for the flood-affected victims.

12.  Other companies and institutions, such as the Fondation
Internationale Carrefour provided 310 tents (of 4x3 m for 6-8 persons) and
26 electrical generators (worth FF 700,000 ? approx. USD 97,000); Groupe
Khalifa, Société Cévital, Saidal, Air Algérie have also offered
assistance. The trans-Mediterranean transport company CGM, based in
Marseilles, has offered to transport relief items.

13.  The total amount of contributions so far recorded by OCHA is of USD
1,3 million.

14.  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


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

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

17.  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.

18.  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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