South Africa - Minister gives "green light for emergency" aid to Algeria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has today - Friday, 23rd May 2003 - given the green light for emergency relief to be sent to Algeria, after the devastating earthquake that rocked Algiers, Bouneldes and surrounding areas on Wednesday, 21st May 2003.
This follows a message sent to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria by President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday, 22nd May 2003 expressing South Africa's heartfelt condolences in the wake of the deaths of over 500 people, injury to over 4,600 others and destruction to infrastructure.
The relief effort is coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the South African National Defence Force, South African Police Services and the Department of Health.
The relief effort consists of among others, sniffer dogs, medical supplies, medical personnel and equipment to detect bodies trapped under buildings. The first contingent of relief will depart for Algeria on Saturday, 24 May 2003 from the Waterkloof Airforce Base in Pretoria under the command of SANDF's Col Willis Nkosi.
The delegation will also include representatives of NGO's - Global Relief and Rescue Africa - and several volunteer engineers from across the country.
The minister of foreign affairs, Dr Dlamini Zuma, wishes to express, on behalf of the government, her gratitude to members of civil society who came forth to offer their services in the wake of this disaster, as an indication of the close bonds of friendship and solidarity that exists between the peoples of Algeria and South Africa.
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23 Mai 2003 à 15:38 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
