Algeria Orders Emergency Safety Overhaul for Child Care Centres After Deadly Orphanage Fire
The Algerian government has announced a series of emergency measures to strengthen safety standards across child care institutions following the fire at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution in Algiers that claimed 11 lives and injured 19 others. The reforms include the creation of a national risk management unit, nationwide fire safety inspections, digital monitoring systems and expanded emergency response training.
BY Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – The Algerian government has launched an emergency review of safety procedures across child care institutions following the deadly fire at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution in Algiers, with Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs Soraya Mouloudji announcing a package of immediate measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
The move comes after the early morning fire that killed 11 people, including a 52-year-old caregiver, and injured 19 others, prompting a nationwide response from state authorities and renewed scrutiny of safety standards in facilities caring for vulnerable children.
Emergency meeting and immediate response
On Thursday evening, Mouloudji convened an emergency meeting attended by senior ministry officials and directors of specialised care institutions to assess the consequences of the tragedy and coordinate the government’s response.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Solidarity, priority has been given to ensuring comprehensive medical and psychological care for the injured while monitoring their condition on an ongoing basis.
The ministry also ordered the immediate and secure transfer of children residing at the Mohammadia institution to alternative care facilities equipped to accommodate them under appropriate conditions.
National risk management unit
As part of a broader overhaul of safety procedures, the minister instructed the immediate establishment of a National Risk Monitoring and Management Unit tasked with strengthening prevention mechanisms across all child care institutions.
The new body will be responsible for:
- Monitoring safety indicators across specialised care facilities on a preventive basis.
- Coordinating field operations with security services and local authorities.
- Standardising and enforcing national fire prevention and safety protocols throughout the sector.
Digital monitoring and enhanced emergency training
The ministry also unveiled a new digital monitoring mechanism designed to provide real-time oversight of compliance with safety standards across all facilities under its supervision.
The centralised platform will allow authorities to continuously evaluate safety conditions, rapidly detect deficiencies and facilitate swift intervention whenever necessary.
In parallel, the ministry announced an expanded training programme for staff in cooperation with the Civil Protection Directorate, focusing on fire prevention, emergency preparedness, crisis management and first-response procedures.
Mouloudji said that while the fire was an exceptional incident, it underscored the need to continue strengthening Algeria’s prevention system to better protect vulnerable groups.
She reaffirmed that institutions operating under the Ministry of National Solidarity “will remain places of protection and safety” dedicated to serving the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
The minister also paid tribute to the staff of the Mohammadia Child Care Institution and the personnel on duty during the night of the fire, praising their dedication, courage and professionalism under exceptionally difficult circumstances.
Investigation continues
The announcement follows preliminary findings released by the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN), which indicated that the fire was most likely caused by an electrical spark from an air-conditioning unit operating continuously during the recent heatwave. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
National mobilisation
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences following the tragedy, describing the victims as “children of Algeria” and praying for God’s mercy upon the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Acting on the President’s instructions, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited the Zéralda Burns Hospital and Mustapha Pacha University Hospital to oversee the treatment of those injured before attending the victims’ funeral at Sidi Rzine Cemetery in Baraki, accompanied by several members of the government.
The tragedy also prompted international messages of solidarity, including condolences from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during President Tebboune’s official visit to Berlin and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sympathy with Algeria’s government and people and wished the injured a full recovery.
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