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International Red Cross Responds to Massive Algerian Earthquake
Written by
Bonnie Gillespie
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, May 23, 2003 — "It's an apocalyptic sight," said an Algerian radio reporter as he surveyed the scene in Reghaia, Algeria, where more than 1,000 people are dead after a massive earthquake rocked dozens of communities along the densely populated Mediterranean coastline.
Image Courtesy of the IFRC
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Nearly 7,000 people were injured when the magnitude 6.7 quake struck the north African nation at 7:44 p.m. on Wednesday (May 21). Rescue workers continue to scour through mounds of rubble searching for survivors.
The town of Reghaia, just east of the capital city of Algiers, reportedly suffered the worst devastation when a seven-story block of 78 apartments collapsed, killing more than 350 people buried inside.
"I have never seen such a disaster in my life. Everything has collapsed," Yazid Khelfaoui told Reuters, after his mother died inside the fallen apartment building.
In Algiers alone, more than 57 buildings were destroyed, including the three-story national sports center, where at least four people perished.
Hospitals in Algiers and the hardest-hit cities were finding it almost impossible to cope with the number of injured. In the worst affected province, Boumerdes, bodies were piled up outside hospitals and patients were treated in the open air. Downed utility poles hampered communications and electric services, while many roadways covered with debris are impassable for emergency vehicles.
The Algerian Red Crescent Society (ARCS) responded immediately, sending ambulances and emergency vehicles to the affected areas. More than 100 ARCS volunteers are assisting victims throughout the disaster region, administering first aid, distributing blankets and launching blood drives.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation) has deployed an international team of experts to Algeria to evaluate the damages and asses the needs of the affected population. The Federation has also released $154,000 from its disaster emergency fund to help the people Algeria.
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring operational developments and is prepared to provide support to the Algerian Red Crescent upon request and in coordination with the Federation. American Red Cross International Response Team members are also on alert in case additional field personnel are needed.
At least four powerful aftershocks followed the strongest quake to hit the north African country in 23 years. In the first two hours after the upheaval, more than 200 additional tremors rattled the northern region of the nation.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded that the epicenter had been 45 miles east of the capital, adding that the quake was the biggest to hit Algeria since 1980, when a tremor measuring 7.7 killed at least 4,500 people. In 1994, about 150,000 were made homeless by an earthquake in northwestern Algeria that killed over 170.
Most of Algeria's 32 million people live in the north, away from the Sahara desert. Algiers, on the coast, is home to at least 2.6 million.
You can help the Algerian earthquake victims and countless others around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Click here to make a secure online donation.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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