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Tebboune Warns Arsonists as World Bank Raises Forest Protection Concerns
The article addresses the escalating wildfire crisis in Algeria, where President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced intentions to amend the penal code to impose the death penalty on those deliberately involved in setting fires. This comes in the wake of a series of fires that have caused significant human and material losses. The article highlights that while the government is leaning towards tough punishments, it clearly neglects the weaknesses within the prevention and preparedness systems. Despite this, the World Bank report as early as June pointed out management deficiencies in forest areas, inadequate early warning efforts, and the need for additional investment in technical tools and infrastructure. Statistics show that Algeria has experienced over 75,000 forest fires between 1985 and 2022, averaging about 35,000 fires annually. Rising temperatures and drought have further heightened the danger. Although the government had previously emphasized the importance of improving coordination and readiness to combat fires, policies have remained insufficient in prevention and have faced criticism for poor preparedness, especially given the recurrence of disasters. Finally, it is notable that official discourse tends to focus on potential criminal intent behind the fires, despite ongoing investigations. However, the broader debate reveals hesitation in addressing the root causes, which weakens efforts for prevention and response.
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