As part of its response to Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in Algeria, in which nearly 1,500 people have been killed and over 7,000 injured, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has mobilised specialised units in water and sanitation and logistics.
Emergency Response Units (ERU) staffed by trained volunteers from the French Red Cross will arrive in Algeria on Saturday.
“There is evidence that the earthquake has caused considerable damage to the water and sanitation infrastructure.
The ERU will help to restore this vital services and support the important work being done by the Algerian Red Crescent,” says Caroline Dunn, the International Federation’s ERU coordinator. “Given the volume of aid pouring into Algeria, it is crucial that logistics capacity is boosted.”
The logistics ERU will manage the arrival, clearance, storage and distribution of relief, as well as prepare the arrival of other ERUs. The Water and Sanitation ERU includes a trucking and distribution component, as well as a supply unit that can treat up to 600,000 litres per day, providing drinking water for up to 40,000 people.
DONATE ONLINE TO ALGERIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL AT: www.ifrc.org
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
For further information, or to set up interviews (ISDN line available), please contact:
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 57
Media Service Duty Phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81