Red Cross emergency response teams get to work in Algeria
26 May 2003

French and Spanish Red Cross Emergency Response Units (ERU) specialised in logistics, water and sanitation and basic health care have begun work in Algeria, which is recovering from a devastating earthquake that has left at least 2,000 people dead, over 8,500 injured and tens of thousands homeless.

Two French Red Cross ERUs – staffed by volunteers trained in logistics and water and sanitation – arrived on Saturday and are now operational in Algiers and locating to Boumerdes. A Spanish Red Cross basic health care ERU has also arrived in Algeria and will be deployed according to needs.

The ERUs will help to restore vital services that have been badly disrupted by the earthquake, help coordinate the arrival of aid coming into the country, and, most importantly, give crucial support to the important work being done by the Algerian Red Crescent, which will be involved in the management of at least 11 shelter centres.

The logistics ERU are managing the arrival, clearance, storage and distribution of relief, as well as prepare the arrival of other ERUs. The Water and Sanitation ERU can treat up to 600,000 litres per day, providing drinking water for up to 40,000 people. The Spanish ERU can provide immediate basic health care for up to 30,000 people.

The deployment of the ERUs is part of a wider Red Cross Red Crescent Movement response to the catastrophe. A Federation Field Assessment and Coordination Team is on the ground, evaluating the extent of the damage and the needs of the population. Based on this assessment, a preliminary appeal for 2 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.5 million) will be revised.

In addition, the German Red Cross has sent a search and rescue team with sniffer dogs, while to date the Belgian, British and Swiss Red Cross Societies and the Iranian, Saudi and Turkish Red Crescent Societies have sent flights containing relief items.

DONATE ONLINE TO ALGERIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL AT: www.ifrc.org

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Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79 217 33 45

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The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.