Morocco has announced the initiation of an assistance program aimed at supporting and relocating residents affected by the recent devastating earthquake, which damaged approximately 50,000 buildings. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.8, is the strongest ever recorded in Morocco and has resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 lives, with over 5,600 people sustaining injuries since it struck last Friday in Al-Haouz province, located to the south of the popular tourist destination, Marrakesh.
In response to the crisis, those who have been rendered homeless will be offered temporary shelter in structures designed to withstand cold and inclement weather conditions or in reception facilities equipped with all necessary amenities, as stated by the royal office following a meeting chaired by King Mohamed VI.
Furthermore, the Moroccan authorities have taken swift action by providing urgent aid amounting to 30,000 dirhams, equivalent to nearly $3,000, to households affected by the disaster. This initial aid distribution marks the beginning of a broader programme intended to address the needs of approximately 50,000 homes that have either fully or partially collapsed due to the recent earthquake.
The exact number of individuals displaced by the earthquake, which has caused extensive damage to numerous villages in Morocco’s Atlas mountain region, is currently unknown.
The royal office also specified that an allocation of 140,000 dirhams, approximately $13,600, would be designated for the reconstruction of homes that have completely collapsed. An additional 80,000 dirhams will be allocated to rebuild partially collapsed structures.
Morocco has accepted assistance from rescue teams dispatched by Spain, Britain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. However, it has reportedly declined offers of aid from several other nations, including the United States, France, and several Middle Eastern countries.