Algeria: Explosion - Information Bulletin n° 1
This bulletin is being issued for information only. Following two bomb blasts in Algiers on 11 December, 60 people are known to have died. It is with immense sadness that Red Crescent volunteers identified their former colleague, Hind Boukhroufa as one of those who lost their lives. Ms. Boukhoufra is the previous head of the Algerian Red Crescent Society (ARCS) communication unit, and the daughter of the previous ARCS president. She had recently started working for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Federation's regional representative is planning to attend the funeral, representing the Federation.
Assessments of the situation are ongoing, and support for families may be needed. If so, support and resources could be requested from the Federation.
The Algerian Red Crescent, with the support of the Federation, has determined that external assistance is not required, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time.
The Situation
On 11 December at 09:40, two bomb blasts in different areas of Algeria's capital Algiers killed 60 people and wounded many more. The attacks seem to have targeted the Constitutional court, the United Nations offices (UNHCR and UNDP) and a police station in the Hydra district, an area where several Western companies have their offices. The death toll is expected to rise as the search and rescue work continues. So far, only six people have been pulled safely from the rubble.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
The Algerian Red Crescent Society (ARCS) was immediately informed and mobilized its intervention team and volunteers from different Willayas to quickly to assess the initial needs and support the civil defence at the site of the attacks. A task force was created at the ARCS headquarters. The Federation's regional office for North Africa was informed by the ARCS 15 minutes after the bomb blasts, and is in constant contact with the National Society headquarters.
The deputy president was called to the National Task force to discuss the coordination of the operation. Around 100 volunteers are involved in this operation, with teams organized and tasks attributed to provide efficient services:
- Assist the Civil Defence in search and rescue;
- Organize emergency health centres and provide first aid to those affected;
- Psychological support (PSP) to the victims, and the families. A school was used to establish an emergency PSP cell; Teams of Red crescent volunteers were also sent to the hospitals to assist the wounded families, and to provide PSP to the ones in need;
- Organize the transport and the dispatching of injured people to the hospital in Algiers, and deploying ten ambulances.
The volunteers were still in the emergency phase in the night of 11 December. A needs assessment was carried out on 12 December. Support for families may be needed, and the Federation is ready to provide the necessary support as required.
A regional First Aid workshop, gathering Moroccan and Tunisian Red Crescent Society representatives in Tipaza, 80 kilometres from Algiers, was interrupted due to the mobilization of the Algerian Red Crescent's first aid team.
How we work
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
The International Federation's activities are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Contact information
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Algeria: Dr BENZEGUIR, President ai, Algerian Red Crescent; Phone: + 213 21 633 155, fax: + 213 21 633 690; email: cra@algerianinfo.com
In the Federation Regional Representation for North Africa, AE. LECLERC, regional representative; Phone: + 216 71 86 24 85; email: ae.leclerc@ifrc.org
In the MENA Zone office, M. JILANI, Head or Zone, Phone: + 962-6-5627934; email: marwan.jilani@ifrc.org