Algeria - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2002/0178
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Algeria - Floods
30 August 2002
This report summarises information received from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Algiers, Algeria.
Situation:
1. Unusual heavy rains in Eastern Algeria have killed at least 29 people, most of them children, in the last few days. However, the death toll may be much higher as media reports that the Civil Protection established a total unverified figure of 43 dead, 16 wounded and 457 affected families as of 29 August.
2. Eighteen of Algeria's 48 provinces have been hit by the floodwaters this week, but the most affected area is Mila, about 370 kilometres east of the capital Algiers, where 15 children died.
3. Hundreds of homes have been flooded or battered by hailstones in the affected regions of Guelma and Annaba. Several bridges were also destroyed and vegetable farms devastated in the Batna region. Roads were blocked (National Road 16 and 81) but have now been cleared.
4. The capital Algiers was also affected by floods though no casualties were reported.
5. So far, the official death toll from floods is as follows:
|
Region
|
Casualties
|
| Aures - Oued Aouf / Taxent - Oum el-Bouaghi |
2 5 |
| Mila |
15
|
| Guelma - Dahouara |
3 |
| Batna |
2
|
| Others |
2
|
| TOTAL |
29
|
National and international response
6. Local authorities and the Algerian Red Crescent are assisting the floods victims.
7. International assistance has already started, with three planes loaded with 21 tons relief items sent by Morocco on Wednesday 28 August 2002. The aid will be distributed in the form of medicine and medical equipment (07 tons) and blankets (14 tons) to help those affected by the floods.
8. 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.
9. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officer:
Mr. Max Bonnel, direct Tel. +41 22 917 1457
Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) - Mr. Brian Grogan, direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43