Morocco/Earthquake: King chairs meeting on emergency program for rehousing disaster victims; orphans to be granted status of wards of the nation

King Mohammed VI chaired this Thursday September 14, 2023, at the Royal Palace 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 the working session presided over by the Sovereign on September 9, 2023 and during which royal instructions were given to mobilize 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, a statement by the Royal Office said.

During the meeting, the Sovereign was briefed on the first version of the rehousing program which was prepared by the inter-ministerial commission set up pursuant to the high royal instruction. The program covers some 50,000 totally or partially collapsed homes in the five provinces affected by the quake.

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 30,000 dirhams 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 140,000 dirhams has been earmarked for totally collapsed dwellings, and 80,000 dirhams to cover rehabilitation work of partially collapsed homes.

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, the King reiterated his 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 the King reiterates, on this occasion, Morocco’s most sincere thanks.

During the meeting, the King 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 Sovereign ordered the government to launch the adoption process, as quickly as possible, of the bill necessary for this purpose.

Through the vision and action of its Sovereign, Morocco is once again demonstrating the resilience that characterizes it, enabling it to face up to the trials and challenges with resolve, wisdom, and determination, thanks to the strength of its institutions and the solidarity and generosity of its people.

The working meeting was attended by the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Royal Advisor Fouad Ali El Himma, the Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, the Endowments and Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Toufiq, the Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah, the National Territory Planning, Land Planning, Housing and City Policy Minister Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the Minister in charge of the Budget Faouzi Lekjaa, as well as Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone.