Military

DATE=5/22/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ALGERIA / QUAKE RELIEF (L-O)

NUMBER=2-303513

BYLINE= LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says hundreds of Algerian Red Crescent workers and volunteers responded rapidly to the earthquake late Wednesday that killed more than 600 people. Lisa Schlein reports from Red Cross headquarters in Geneva that officials say more than four-thousand people injured during the worst quake to hit Algeria in 23 years.

TEXT: The Red Cross says the Algerian Red Crescent was on the scene soon after the earthquake. It says it is working with Algerian authorities in search and rescue operations and in administering first aid and transporting victims to the hospitals.

The Head of Red Cross Operations, Ian Logan, says he has heard the search and rescue part of the operation may be nearing its end.

/// LOGAN ACT ///

I do not think it would be safe to say that they are winding down, but they feel as though they are reaching the point in which they are now starting to look for people who may be deeply buried. They seem to feel that they may have got the most easily reached out. I would not say that it is over yet. But, it seems to be stabilizing somewhat.

/// END ACT ///

The quake that registered six-point-seven on the Richter scale was centered near Thenia, a coastal town about 60 kilometers from Algiers. Officials say this is the strongest quake to hit the country since 1980, when two quakes in the northwestern city of Al Asnam killed 25-hundred people.

Mr. Logan says the Red Crescent is preparing for the post-rescue emergency phase.

/// 2ND LOGAN ACT ///

We do not want to add to the confusion by bringing in uncoordinated goods which are impracticable or unusable at this moment. What is needed right now is shelter to get them covered for the next coming night, blankets to keep them warm, generators to provide some power, and probably to make sure that there is clean water. The rest of the stuff probably can be made available in the country. So, we would normally be looking for cash support when we put out our appeal which we are working on right now, that aspect of the response.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Logan says about five-thousand people have been made homeless by the quake and thousands of others are reluctant to return to their homes because of fears of aftershocks. (SIGNED)

NEB/LS/RAE