Emergency Assistance for Earthquake Disaster in Algeria

May 23, 2003

On May 22 (Thu), the Government of Japan decided to dispatch Japan Disaster Relief rescue team to the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, which suffered damage caused by an earthquake, for the purpose of researching and rescuing victims. 18 persons of the team left Japan at the night of May 22, and the second group of 43 on May 23.
Before dawn on May 22 (JST), Algeria was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, with its seismic center in the Wilaya of Boumerdes, east of the capital, Algiers. As of 3:00 p.m., May 22 (JST), 500 people were dead, more than 4,600 people injured, and immense human and material damage, including collapsed buildings, was left.
The Government of Algeria has established an emergency headquarters, making self-help efforts toward recovery, but still needs further assistance from the international community and has requested emergency assistance from the Government of Japan.
From a humanitarian point of view on assisting the victims of the disaster, taking into account the friendly relations between Japan and Algeria, the Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance.

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