OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Algeria  - Floods
26 November 2001


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

Situation:

1.  Sixteen days after the devastating floods that hit northern Algeria,
the latest provisional toll announced by the Algerian authorities reached
751 people killed, out of which 700 deaths in Algiers alone. 170 persons
are still missing. In total, floods may have affected up to 10,000
families (40,000 to 50,000 persons).

2.  The fifty other deaths were reported in the wilayas of Chlef (13),
Tipasa (11), Relizane (09), Tiaret (05), Tlemcen (04), Mascara (03),
Aïn-Témouchent (02), Mostaganem (01), Oran (02) and one in Tizi-Ouzou.

3.  Of the 48 existing Wilaya in Algeria (1,541 communes), 12 were
particularly affected by floods. A total of 73 communes were affected, out
of which 56 seriously affected. An exhaustive list was provided by
authorities:

Chlef : 15 communes seriously affected :  El Marsa, Moussadek, Héranfa,
Ténès, Sidi Abderrahmane, Dahra, Talassa, Bouzghaia, Taougrit, Tadjena,
Breira, Oued Goussine, Sidi Akkache, Zeboudja, Abou El Hassan.

Tlemcen :  11 communes partially affected :  Tlemcen, Sebdou, El
Ghazaouet, Sidi Djilali, Beni Senous, Terni, Ben Sekrane, Maghnia, Aïn
Ghouraba, Aïn Tounane, Aïn Talout.

Tizi-Ouzou :  2 communes seriously affected : Tigzirt, Azzefoun ; 5
communes partially affected :  Mezrana, Akkerou, Iflicen, Aït Chaffa
Aghrib.

Algiers :  7 communes seriously affected : Bab-El-Oued, Oued Koriche,
Bouloghine, Raïs Hamidou, Hammamet, Aïn Bénian, Bouzaréah ; 4 communes
partially affected : Dély Ibrahim, El-Biar, La Casbah, Alger-Centre.

Saïda :  5 communes seriously affected :  Saïda, Aïn Hadjer, El Hassasna,
Ouled Khaled, Aïn Skhouna.

Mostaganem : 1 commune seriously affected : Sidi Bellater ; 10 communes
partially affected : Mostaganem, Aïn Nouissi, Forkala, El Hassaine, Aïn
Boudinar, Kheïreddine, Seyada, Sidi Lakhdar, Achacha, Sour.

Mascara :  12 communes seriously affected : Mamounia, Aïn Farès, El
Matmar, El Goumri, Bouhnifia, El Gaâda, Bouhani, Sidi Abdeldjabar, Oued El
Abtal, Gherrous, Sidi Abdelmoumen, Aïn Frass.

Oran :  1 commune seriously affected :  Sidi Chahmi ; 9 communes partially
affected : Arzew, Gdyel, Bettioua, Mers El Hadjadj, Oued Tlilat, El Braya,
Aïn Turk, El Ancer, Mers El Kébir.

Boumerdès :  1 commune seriously affected : Cap Djenet. 1 commune
partially affected : Zemmouri.

Tipasa : 4 communes seriously affected : Sidi Ghilès, Damous, Aghbal, Béni
Melik.

Aïn Defla :  3 communes seriously affected : Tacheta, El Abadia, Aïn
Bouyahia. 31 communes partially affected : Khemis Méliana, Sidi Lakhdar,
Bathia, El Hasnia, Belaâs, Djelida, Bourached, Djemaâ Ouled Chikh, Aïn El
Achiakh, Oued El Djemaâ, Aïn Soltane, Bourdj Amir Khaled, Tarek Ibn Ziad,
Bir Ould Khelifa, Aïn Defla, Rouina, Almaine, Zedine, Hammam Righa, Aïn
Torki, Aïn El Bénian, El Attouf, Tibrikatine, Méliana, Ben Allal, El Amra,
Arib Mekhatris, Djendel, Bir Bouche, Oued El Chorafa.

Relizane :  5 communes seriously affected :  Hamri, Sidi Khettab,
Bellasel, Ouarizane, Ouled Sidi Mihoub.


4.  Search and rescue operations have ended with the departure of main
international teams (up to 80 persons from France, Morocco and Tunisia
coordinated by the Algerian Civil Protection). Operations to clean the
city continue. So far, more than 1,1 million m3 of mud have been removed
from the worst affected district. According to media, at least 800.000 m3
are still to be removed from small streets, cellars and basements.

5.  Teams specialized in epidemics are assessing the worst affected areas
and have reported no danger of water-borne diseases.

6.  Many roads are still impassable, particularly in Algiers, Blida,
Relizane, Chlef, Tebessa and Oran. So far, more that 6,120 houses have
been assessed in Algiers (out of which 2,749 are not anymore habitable).
Some 335 vehicles and 240 commercial premises were reported damaged by
floods. In total, the provisional evaluation of damage reaches DZD 50
billion (approx. USD 670 million).

7.  Thirty-seven schools are closed in the districts of Bab El Oued and
Bouzareah.


National response

8.  A Government council meeting was held on 19 November to take stock of
the current situation of assistance.

9.  Some 1,172 affected families were relocated.  Some 21 schools are
still occupied by 846 families, where living conditions are difficult
(overcrowded, lack of water and sanitary facilities).

10.  Already 279 families have received cash advances on death
compensation and more will soon received the total sum: DZD 700,000
(approx. USD 9,300). Another 112 families benefited from compensation for
loss of houses (DZD 200,000, approx. USD 2,680).


International response

11.  Contributions reported to OCHA since Situation Report No. 6 are the
following:

   |--------+------------------------------+---------------|
   | DONOR  | ITEM                         | Value in USD  |
   |--------+------------------------------+---------------|
   | Sweden | Cash donation DZD 8 million  | Approximately |
   |        | to Swedish Red Cross         | 107,152       |
   |        | for the purchase of water    |               |
   |        | purification equipment       |               |
   |--------+------------------------------+---------------|
   | France | Relief flight (tents,        | Not specified |
   |        | blankets, cloths) from NGOs, |               |
   |        | association and privates.    |               |
   |--------+------------------------------+---------------|
   | Qatar  | 121 tons of pharmaceutics,   | Not specified |
   |        | food, tents and blankets.    |               |
   |--------+------------------------------+---------------|


12. UNICEF is providing emergency humanitarian aid amounting to USD
220,000. The aid will be distributed in the form of medicine, vaccine and
medical equipment to help those affected by the floods. UNICEF will also
provide cooking equipment, infants'blankets and winter clothing and boots
for children. The agency plans to provide psychological counselling and
set up educational and recreational facilities for traumatised children.

13. UNDP is planning to make available USD 100,000 for the rehabilitation
of basic economical activities (local handicraft) in Algiers area. The
Ministry of Social Action and National Solidarity is preparing the
inventory list of recipients of assistance.

14. The total amount of contributions so far recorded/reported to OCHA is
of USD 3 million.

15. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be
used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination with relevant
organizations in the United Nations system. For banking details please
contact the desk officers indicated below. OCHA provides donor governments
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 (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
  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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