Flood awareness campaign sweeps Algeria

2009-10-30

Algerian authorities are promoting "flood awareness" in an effort to prevent disaster-related deaths and disease.

By Hayam El Hadi for Magharebia in Algiers – 30/10/09

[Hocine/AFP/Getty Images] The Algerian government aims to avoid a repeat of the deadly floods that killed some 700 people in 2001.

Algerian authorities on Sunday (October 25th) launched a month-long awareness campaign to educate the public on the dangers of flooding and to inform them of safety measures they can take as flood season nears.

The Algerian Civil Protection Agency (DGPC) will hold open meetings at schools and community centres with the aim of preventing tragedies such as the ones that occurred during the floods in 2001. More than 700 people died as a result of those floods, and one in three communes nationwide remains at risk of total or partial flooding, according to DGPC statistics.

"There are very simple things that the public needs to know how to do, and which could save lives," said Mohamed Medjkane, a DGPC communications officer.

Both children and adults will be instructed via a deluge of information conveyed by television, radio, text messages and even vehicles outfitted with loudspeakers. The information presented through these channels will cover practical steps ordinary people can take in the event of flooding.

DGPC officials working on the campaign said it is urgent that children and parents familiarise themselves with the warning signs of flooding.

If floods are predicted, said the officials, people are advised to switch off their gas and electricity supplies and place electrical appliances in safe locations. The DGPC advises people who are inside their homes to remain calm, alert neighbours, listen to the radio and limit telephone use in order to keep the lines open for emergencies.

The awareness campaign further directs that, in the event of an evacuation, Algerians should leave their homes when rescuers ask them to do so, and follow directions as they are given. Evacuees should only take the bare minimum with them, most importantly first-aid kits and identification documents. Drivers are advised to abandon their vehicles so as not to be swept away with them, and to seek assistance immediately.

Once floods have subsided, dangers persist, according to the DGPC. Electric shocks are common following floods. Furthermore, people should sterilise water, crockery and kitchen utensils, and clean their homes with bleach, to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Algerians are taking the DGPC's message to heart. "I paid a lot of attention to the explanations given," said Nassim, a 10-year-old boy. "There were a lot of things I didn't know before. I had no idea what to do in the event of flooding. Thanks to this advice, I hope I will be better prepared to deal with natural disasters."

Naima, mother of two boys, wishes Algerians had received this advice before the 2001 floods.

"I lost many friends and neighbours: They panicked and got into their cars to get away from the flooding," she said. "They were all swept away by the water. I've now found that you must not take your car. I hope all this advice will save lives in the future."

Mohamed, a first-aid worker involved in the campaign, hopes the awareness drive will make a real difference in how Algerians handle the flooding season. "People generally panic and don't know what to do, and many of them persist in building homes in valleys, out of ignorance or necessity," he said.

He believes that teaching children about flood awareness is a good way to disseminate information. "If we're targeting children as a priority, it's because we think they are excellent at passing on information. They can raise their parents' awareness, and let's not forget that the youngsters of today will be the adults of tomorrow."