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27 June 2003 The International Federation is supporting the Algerian Red Crescent as it steps up assistance to victims of the earthquake that devastated northern regions of Algeria on May 21, killing 2,200 people and at least 20,000 families homeless. Following the disaster, the International Federation launched an appeal for immediate response for quake victims. Now the Federation is extending the appeal to support Algerian Red Crescent rehabilitation activities and disaster prevention programmes. As part of the planned response, funds will be used to provide up to 40,000 people with essential assistance over the next few months, in the form of food, water, tents, blankets and other relief items. The assistance is designed to tide over the most vulnerable families, those whose homes have been destroyed and who have lost most of their possessions, over the next few months. “We estimate the operation may continue for up to a year, depending on how soon survivors will be able to move into new homes and return to normal,” notes Abbas Gullet, Director of the Disaster Management Department in the Federation’s Secretariat in Geneva. “We also plan to help the Algerian Red Crescent strengthen its disaster prevention programmes, including providing more training for its staff and volunteers, equipping and re-stocking its warehouses and ensuring sufficient logistics and transport capacity,” he says. As well as providing material assistance, the Red Crescent will also continue to provide vital psychological support services to the traumatised population. When the earthquake hit, Algerian Red Crescent staff and volunteers were quick to respond to the disaster, participating in search and rescue efforts, providing first aid, transporting the injured to hospital, mobilizing blood donors and distributing relief goods. |
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