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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