Canadian Algerians Mobilize Aid for Jijel Fire Victims
The Algerian community in Canada has demonstrated ongoing solidarity with those affected by the recent forest fires in the Jijel region. Promptly mobilizing from the initial days of the events, Algerian expatriates, particularly those in Canada, organized efforts to deliver urgent aid to the impacted residents. According to Canadian-Algerian Abdelkader Belhimer, this cross-border initiative, facilitated through social media fundraising campaigns, effectively met immediate material needs in numerous remote and isolated areas. Belhimer himself temporarily halted his personal activities to dedicate his efforts to the fundraising operation.
These fundraising endeavors enabled the acquisition of essential supplies and the establishment of close partnerships with local civil society organizations. Osama Maloussi, an Algerian-Canadian IT trader residing in Canada, affirmed that members of the Algerian community in Canada closely followed the news with significant concern, witnessing the panic among local populations facing an unprecedented situation. To coordinate remote relief operations, communication groups were established via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Belhimer’s campaign and network successfully raised approximately 1.8 million Algerian Dinars, equivalent to about 19,000 Canadian dollars, in less than half a day. The material aid was delivered using direct logistical mechanisms and a network of local associations to avoid intermediaries. Funds collected were utilized to purchase discounted bedding from local traders who expressed solidarity, and protective equipment such as masks, soap, clothing, and nutritional supplements were delivered by travelers flying from Canada to Algeria. To ensure proper management of donations, a community member traveled from Canada to Jijel to directly supervise the distribution process.
Following the immediate emergency response phase, Abdelkader Belhimer's group shifted its focus towards supporting reconstruction efforts to enable affected families to regain their independence. Belhimer and his team made plans to supply essential building materials, including cement, sand, and bricks, to assist residents in rebuilding their homes. The Algerian government, for its part, announced it would cover this aspect of reconstruction. Given electricity outages that hindered water pumping from wells, priority was placed on providing and purchasing automatic water pumps and piping. Osama Maloussi underscored the importance of supplying electrical generators to families whose homes were not burned, to prevent their forced displacement. On the environmental front, Belhimer, who also manages the “Green Jijel” social media page dedicated to reforestation, highlighted the critical importance of restoring damaged ecosystems. He intends to mobilize volunteers for tree planting once weather conditions permit, coordinating with relevant local authorities in Jijel. Other organizations, such as the Algerian Cultural Center in Montreal, participated in the “Sanad” initiative, launched by the Algerian Foundation for Civil Action (FAAC), to collect donations from the Algerian community and residents across Quebec and Canada. Furthermore, a group of Algerian artists and writers organized a solidarity event in Montreal, featuring poetic and musical performances and art exhibitions by volunteers to provide moral support to those affected by the Jijel fires.
