SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘DEEPLY SADDENED’ BY HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE

FOLLOWING ALGERIAN EARTHQUAKE, OFFERS UN ASSISTANCE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened by the heavy loss of life, injuries and destruction caused by a powerful earthquake yesterday in Algeria.  The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and to the Government of Algeria.

The United Nations is prepared to assist in any way it can.  The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has already provided an emergency cash grant of $50,000.  A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been deployed to support the Algerian Government in the coordination of the international response, and to assist in assessing priority needs.  To mobilize and coordinate international relief efforts, the United Nations has been in touch with several governments, who have put Search and Rescue (SAR) teams and relief supplies on standby.

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