Morocco creates agency to oversee reconstruction in quake-hit High Atlas Mountains

Morocco set up the High Atlas Mountains development agency to oversee reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-hit areas.

The agency was set up in implementation of Royal directives which urged speeding up reconstruction efforts after the 7-magnitude quake that left nearly 3000 people dead, and damaged 60,000 homes.

The agency will oversee projects aiming at rehousing the affected population and upgrading infrastructure in the six worst-hit provinces of Marrakech, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate and Azilal.

Morocco plans to mobilize 12 billion dollars to develop the affected areas with a population of 4.2 million people over the next five years.

So far, a fund created in response to the tremor gathered donations worth over 1 billion dollars as Morocco also plans to fund reconstruction from the government budget, local authorities resources, international development aid and loans.