Volunteers Rally to Support Families Displaced by Algeria Wildfires

Volunteers have mobilised to provide food, water and other essential supplies to families displaced by devastating wildfires in Jijel province in northeastern Algeria.

The fires have forced hundreds of residents from affected communities to seek shelter in schools, which have been transformed into temporary accommodation and aid distribution centres.

Residents from the municipalities of Djemaa Beni Habibi and Bordj Tahar are among those affected by the fires, which have destroyed homes and forced families to flee their communities.

Families Left With Nothing

For many displaced residents, the fires have resulted in the loss of homes and belongings.

Nawara Bouhanach, a resident of Djemaa Beni Habibi, described the moment she fled the advancing flames and sought refuge at a local school.

She said hundreds of people had gathered at the facility after escaping the fires, with many arriving with little more than the clothes they were wearing.

“I have nothing left. I no longer have a house, I no longer have a village, nothing,” Bouhanach said.

Her account reflects the scale of the devastation faced by families whose homes and communities have been severely affected by the wildfires.

Volunteers Step In

At Taleb Abdelkrim School in Djemaa Beni Habibi, volunteers are working to support displaced families taking refuge at the facility.

Saïd Bouzit, one of the volunteers, said the school was accommodating hundreds of people, although the exact number remained difficult to establish because of the scale of the displacement.

He described the situation facing residents as heartbreaking and said volunteers were committed to assisting those affected.

Aid teams have been delivering essential supplies, including water, bread and milk, to temporary shelters and affected communities.

Medical teams have also been deployed to provide care to displaced residents and respond to health needs arising from the emergency.

Death Toll Rises

The wildfires have caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction across affected parts of Algeria.

At least 12 people have died, while dozens of others have been injured. Homes and entire sections of villages have been damaged or destroyed, leaving families dependent on emergency assistance.

The ongoing relief effort is being supported by local residents and volunteers who are helping authorities provide basic necessities to people forced from their homes.

As emergency operations continue, displaced families face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives after losing homes and possessions in the fires.