King Mohammed VI chaired another earthquake emergency meeting on Thursday, with a special focus on rehousing displaced people who lost their houses in the massive quake that hit Marrakech and its environs a week ago. The Sovereign also declared that all orphans who lost their families in this natural disaster shall become wards of the state.
A violent 7-magnitude earthquake rattled the central regions of Morocco on Sept. 8, especially the Al Haouz area, resulting in a death toll approaching 3,000. Villages located in mountainous areas and made basically of mud and stones were flattened.
The reconstruction program initially concerns 50,000 houses which have collapsed entirely or partially in the five hardest hit provinces. The rebuilding process covers temporary structures designed to resist cold and bad weather, and reception centers equipped with all necessities. The State will allocate 30,000 MAD for each affected household.
The said program also touches on rebuilding houses after conducting the appropriate expertize that would ensure ground stability and the absence of seismic activity. The State will allot 140,000 MAD for eradicated houses and 80,000 MAD for partially-collapsed houses.
Reconstruction works will abide by the region’s unique architectural specificities, and technical specifications.
The large-scale program will be funded by the State, public bodies, private stakeholders, associations, and friendly countries.
The King instructed the government to respond rapidly and efficiently to the catastrophe, and make sure to preserve the affected populations’ dignity and traditions.