Algeria implements emergency response and compensation plan following deadly wildfires

Algeria is implementing an emergency response following devastating wildfires in its eastern and central provinces, including Jijel, Béjaïa, and Tizi Ouzou. The fires have resulted in at least 12 deaths and widespread destruction of homes, livestock, and crops.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the modification of the penal code to reinstate the death penalty for those involved in intentional arson. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb announced that the state will provide full compensation to victims, covering all damages—down to the smallest item—with a deadline for completion set for September 15. Relief efforts include restoring vital utility networks such as water, electricity, and gas, as well as providing free replacement of postal payment cards for those who lost them in the fires.

In response to the catastrophe, French President Emmanuel Macron has offered France’s assistance to Algeria, a gesture noted as a potential sign of diplomatic rapprochement. Meanwhile, the Algerian Ministry of Housing is mobilizing technical experts to assess damaged structures and is coordinating financial aid for affected families.