The Moroccan monarch chaired on September 14, 2023, in Rabat, a working meeting devoted to activating the emergency program for rehousing disaster victims and caring for the categories most affected by the Al Haouz earthquake.
This meeting follows on from the series of measures ordered by the Sovereign, aimed at mobilizing all resources, with the necessary speed and efficiency, to help stricken families and citizens, and in particular to deploy rehabilitation and reconstruction measures as quickly as possible, in the localities affected by this natural disaster of unprecedented proportions.
This first version of the rehousing program presented to the Sovereign, and which was prepared by the inter-ministerial commission, covers some 50,000 totally or partially collapsed homes in the five provinces affected.
It consists, on the one hand, of emergency temporary rehousing measures, in particular through adapted formulas for on-site accommodation in structures designed to withstand the cold and bad weather; or in reception sites equipped with all the necessary amenities. In addition, the State will grant emergency aid of 3000 dollars to the households concerned.
In this respect, the Sovereign drew the attention of the competent authorities to the extremely high priority of the rehousing operation, which must be carried out under the necessary conditions of fairness and constant attention to the needs of the populations concerned.
On the other hand, the program consists of immediate reconstruction actions, which will be deployed after preliminary expertise operations and land preparation and stabilization work. To this end, direct financial assistance of 14000 dollars has been earmarked for totally collapsed dwellings, and 8000 dollars to cover rehabilitation work on partially collapsed homes.
His Majesty the King also insisted on the need for the reconstruction operation to be carried out on the basis of specifications and under technical and architectural supervision in harmony with the region’s heritage and respecting its unique architectural features.
During the same working session, His Majesty the King reiterated His High Instructions for a strong, swift and proactive response, while respecting the dignity, customs and heritage of the populations. In addition to repairing the damage caused by the earthquake, these measures will also involve launching a well-thought-out, integrated and ambitious program for the reconstruction and general upgrading of the affected regions, both in terms of infrastructure reinforcement and improving the quality of public services.
This multi-faceted program will primarily mobilize the State’s own financial resources and those of public bodies, and will also be open to contributions from private players and associations, as well as from brotherly and friendly countries that so wish, and to whom His Majesty the King reiterates, on this occasion, the Kingdom of Morocco’s most sincere thanks.
During the meeting, His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, also raised the equally crucial issue of immediate care for orphaned children, who today find themselves without family or resources. The Sovereign has asked that these children be registered and granted the status of wards of the nation.
Also, in order to lift them out of this situation of distress and protect them from all risks and all forms of fragility to which they may unfortunately be exposed after a natural disaster, the King, ordered the government to launch the adoption process, as quickly as possible, of the bill necessary for this purpose.