On May 21, 2003, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Algeria, resulting in 2,700 people killed, 1,500 missing, 7,000 wounded and more than 135,000 displaced from an area stretching approximately 120 kilometres by 50 kilometres.

The first Emergency Architects team arrived on May 24, followed by other architects sent from all over France.

After 10 days, with the full cooperation of the National Association of Algerian Architects and the support of the Algerian Ministry of Housing, more than 400 Algerian architects were mobilised. Approximately 200 Algerian and French architects were continually active in the field, working in teams of two or three. In 10 days they completed more than 4,300 emergency interventions in several wilayas (Algerian provinces).

A colour code (red, yellow and green) was instituted for the first time by Emergency Architects as a means of identifying the seriousness of the damage done to each building.

This operation, supported by several French governmental institutions, as well as other groups, facilitated rapid and efficient action to the advantage of the thousands of displaced Algerians. It also helped reinforce our special relationship with our Algerian colleagues.