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Gulf Program Aids to Victims in Algeria, Venezuela

KUWAIT CITY (Dec. 25) XINHUA - The Arab Gulf Program for Support of United Nations Organizations has donated 150,000 U.S. dollars to the victims of an earthquake in Algeria and floods in Venezuela.

Saudi Prince Talal Ibn Abdul-Aziz, chairman of the Riyadh-based program, said that 100,000 dollars were allocated for flood-hit areas in Venezuela and the rest 50,000 dollars would go to quake- stricken Algeria.

Talal said the allocation was part of the program's humanitarian aid to U.N. member states in the Arab world and the developing countries, the Kuwait News Agency reported from the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Heavy floods and mud slides devastated Venezuela's Caribbean coast areas last week. Official estimates put the death toll in the worst natural disaster that hit the South American country in 50 years between 5,000 and 30,000.

A strong quake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale also jolted towns in northwestern Algeria Wednesday, leaving over 200 casualties, damaging hundreds of houses and inflicting property losses.

Copyright (c) 1999 Comtex Scientific Corporation
Received by NewsEdge Insight: 12/25/1999 10:18:58