Earthquake: Arab, African, world leaders show solidarity, support & sympathy to Morocco

Several Arab, African, and world leaders have sent to King Mohammed VI messages of condolences and solidarity following the deadly earthquake that hit the Kingdom on Friday, killing over 2,680 people and injuring over 2,500, according to latest updated death toll.

In a message addressed to the Monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia expressed his deep condolences and sincere feelings of compassion, praying to the Almighty to surround the quake victims with His Holy mercy and to grant patience to their loved ones, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Echoing his father, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman offered condolences and voiced sympathy with the bereaved families and solidarity with the Moroccan King, people, and government.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said his country stands with the Moroccan people in this difficult time, praying the Almighty to preserve Morocco from any misfortune.

King Abdellah II of Jordan voiced his country’s support for Morocco following the devastating earthquake. He extended, on his behalf and on that of the Jordanian people and government his sincere condolences to King Mohammed VI for the loss of lives in the Friday’s quake, the deadliest in Morocco since a 1960 earthquake destroyed Agadir.

Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, extended his sincere condolences to the Moroccan Monarch and people, imploring the Almighty to preserve the Kingdom and its people from all misfortune.

King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also sent the Moroccan Sovereign a message of condolences, expressing sympathy with the families of the quake’s victims, saying Bahrain stands with the brotherly Moroccan people during these difficult times.

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq also offered his condolences, imploring God to surround the victims with His Holy Mercy and to grant patience to their loved ones.

For his part, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed his sincere condolences to King Mohammed VI and to the Moroccan people, voicing his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom which is observing three-days of national mourning.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expressed sympathy with Morocco and said he was “ready to provide any form of assistance to deal with the repercussions of the devastating earthquake.”

Mauritanian President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani also expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the “brotherly Kingdom of Morocco, King, government and people.”

Senegal’s President Macky Sall also voiced deep grief and solidarity with Morocco, wishing a quick recovery for the injured.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to King Mohammed, saying “In the face of this adversity, Nigeria will continue to stand in solidarity with Morocco as they recover, rebuild and come out stronger than ever from this unfortunate event.”

For his part, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to the Moroccan Sovereign, and voiced his country’s solidarity with the Moroccan people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sympathy of the Israeli government and people with Morocco at this painful time, and his deep condolences to the families of the victims, affirming that his country “stands with Moroccan friends at this difficult time.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said he “was profoundly saddened to learn of the earthquake that hit Morocco today (Friday) which claimed many lives.”

The UN Chief also expressed solidarity with the Moroccan King, government, and people at this difficult time, noting that the United Nations stands ready to support relief efforts.

Pope Francis expressed on Sunday his “profound solidarity” with Morocco’s King and people following the 7-magnitude earthquake and offered prayers and solidarity for the victims of Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in more than six decades.

“I pray for the injured, for those who have lost their lives, so many of them, and for their relatives,” he said, speaking to crowds in St Peter’s Square after delivering his Angelus message.

He also thanked rescue workers for their efforts to help the victims of the quake, adding “We stand with the people of Morocco.”

The AU Chairman and President of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, voiced his “solidarity” with the Kingdom and offered his “heartfelt condolences” following the violent earthquake that rocked the country.

Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed “great sorrow” and condolences to the people of Morocco following this earthquake “with tragic consequences.”

The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, prayed for “mercy on the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured.”

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as “heartbreaking”, adding: “We stand ready to support the immediate health needs”, a sentiment echoed by UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said the response to the devastating quake could take years, while UNESCO, the UN heritage organization, said it would help Morocco draw up an inventory of damage to national heritage sites and a repair strategy.

In a joint statement issued Sunday on the sidelines of G20 Summit held in India, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Chair of the African Union, President of France, WB Chief Ajay Banga, IMF Managing Director Ms. Kristalina Georgieva and Head of EC Ms. Ursula von der Leyen have expressed full solidarity with Moroccan King and people following the deadly quake.

They said “we offer our condolences to the families of the victims” and “express our willingness to support Morocco in the best possible way.”

“We have been and continue to be committed partners of Morocco, supporting the authorities’ as they have built an inclusive and resilient economy with strong institutions,” said the signatories of the joint statement.

“With all our international partners, we stand by Morocco to provide all the necessary support for any urgent short term financial needs and for the reconstruction efforts,” added the statement.