Forest Fires: Algeria’s CNAS Rolls Out Exceptional Emergency Measures for Victims

Algeria’s National Social Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers, CNAS, has activated an emergency intervention plan for insured people and their dependents affected by the recent forest fires.

The measures aim to keep benefits available and provide immediate health support after the losses recorded in affected areas. People who lost their medication in the fires can obtain replacement supplies without delay, helping prevent interruptions in treatment.

CNAS also said it would rapidly reissue Chifa cards destroyed or lost in the fires. Emergency logistics channels have been established to give priority to delivering the cards to affected wilayas and handing them directly to their owners.

The fund has reinforced its social assistance teams by mobilizing all available staff and equipment. Caravans and field operations are being organized in affected towns and communes to address residents’ needs directly. Priority attention will go to older people, people with disabilities, children, dependents, and people with chronic illnesses or urgent medical needs.

In Jijel province, authorities were due to finalize lists of people affected by the fires by Tuesday, allowing emergency compensation procedures to begin. Jijel Governor Ahmed Meklati announced the step during a press statement in Tisbilane, in the commune of Djemaa Beni Habibi, during an inspection visit focused on restoring public services. He said payments would begin after the lists received official approval.