Earthquake in Morocco: Great outpouring of international solidarity and messages of support from several world leaders

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night, leaving 822 persons dead and 672 injured, messages of condolences and support for Morocco are starting to pour in, coming from heads of state and government, including, among others, from the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the US President Joe Biden, the Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin, and many other world leaders.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the establishment of an air bridge to deliver critical relief supplies and other forms of support to those affected by the earthquake that struck various areas of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The President’s initiative reaffirms the deep-rooted ties between the UAE and Morocco and underscores the UAE’s enduring disaster response efforts and commitment to strengthening global solidarity, particularly with those in need, reported WAM news agency.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and the devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco” in a statement issued from New Delhi, where he is participating in the G20 summit. The United States “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people. The United States stands by Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI at this difficult moment,” President Biden said, adding that “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible hardship.”

In a message to King Mohammed VI, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences. “In Russia, we share the sorrow and mourning of our friendly Moroccan people,” Putin said, offering his “sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake.”

Spain’s interim Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, expressed Spain’s support and solidarity with Morocco in a message on X (formerly Twitter), in which he assured that “Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families.”

“All my solidarity and support to the Moroccan people in the face of this terrible earthquake,” added Mr. Sánchez, who was unable to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi due to a positive Covid test.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also expressed Spain’s solidarity with Morocco following the earthquake.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message to Morocco on Saturday following the devastating earthquake in the country, as reported by state television CCTV. “On September 9, President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message to King Mohammed VI of Morocco following the severe earthquake that struck the country,” according to CCTV.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered his support and that of Turkey, which had experienced a devastating earthquake in February, in a post on X. “I extend my wishes for recovery to all Moroccans affected by the disastrous earthquake in Morocco, a friendly and brotherly country. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We support our Moroccan brothers in every way on this difficult day,” wrote the Turkish President.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, host of the G20 summit taking place in New Delhi this weekend, said he was “extremely saddened by the loss of human lives due to the earthquake.” “In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the Moroccan people. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover quickly,” he wrote on X, assuring that India is ready to offer all possible assistance in these difficult times.

“My deep condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in this horrible earthquake in the Marrakech region. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Ukraine expresses solidarity with Morocco in this tragic moment,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also posted on social network X.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also sent a message of condolences after this “devastating” earthquake, referring to “terrible news from Morocco.” “In these difficult hours, our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake. We express our compassion to all those affected by this natural disaster.”

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its “sincere condolences to the government and people of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco for the series of earthquakes that have struck the country.”

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed her “heartfelt thoughts” for the victims and their families in a message posted on the social network X, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “deeply moved,” assuring that “France stands ready to help with first aid.”

Through a post on the official (in Arabic) Twitter account of the State of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “the sympathy of the government and the people of Israel with the Moroccan people,” offering “sincere condolences to the families of the earthquake victims.” The post also stated that the “Prime Minister has instructed the relevant authorities in Israel to prepare to go to Morocco to assist local authorities in evacuating those stranded and providing aid to survivors.”

In a message to King Mohammed VI, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said he was “deeply saddened by the news of massive loss of human lives and destruction caused by the powerful earthquake in Morocco.” “On behalf of myself and the Azerbaijani people, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, the brotherly people of Morocco, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the Azerbaijani President wrote.

The President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed his “deep sorrow” on Saturday and offered his condolences to the people of Morocco following the earthquake.

“I have learned with great sorrow of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the Kingdom of Morocco. I extend my profound and sincere condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people, and the families of the victims,” Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a message on the social network “X”.

The current President of the African Union and the Head of State of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, also expressed his “solidarity” and offered his “heartfelt condolences” after “learning with great sadness the news of the powerful earthquake that shook the center of Morocco” in a message on “X”.

“My thoughts are with the Moroccan people, who have been struck by a terrible earthquake,” wrote Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice-President of the European Commission, on X in both Arabic and French, assuring that “the EU stands ready to provide Morocco with the assistance it desires.”

“I am with the Moroccan people in spirit,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on X. She also expressed her support for the rescuers and their “admirable work.”

President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has also sent a message of support and condolences to Morocco following the earthquake.

“I am shocked and saddened by the news of the terrible earthquake that occurred last night in Morocco, a country that warmly welcomed us for the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year. All of FIFA’s thoughts are with the affected individuals, and I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” wrote the Italo-Swiss leader on social media.