Algeria bans Ramadan basket and offers money to needy people

New chief of the Algerian Red crescentSaida Benhbiles said the “Ramadan Basket” will be banned and replaced by financial aid to needy people.

Benhbiles said needy people will obtain 10,000 DZ instead of baskets full of food as part of public aid for the fasting month of Ramadan. This is meant to avoid protests which usually take place each year due to the delay in offering the baskets.

“Checks will be distributed in collaboration with local authorities to fix the list of needy people. The Red Crescent’s strategy in Ramadan will focus on financial aid and feeding needy people,” she said in a program on an Algerian public radio channel.

Benhbiles denied allegations that 13 Africans died in southern Algeria.

She said that those persons died in Nigeria and Algeria’s policy is clear in terms of helping refugees either Africans or Syrians.