Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government, convened the fifth working session of the inter-ministerial committee overseeing Morocco’s post-earthquake recovery program on Monday to discuss how financial aid will be distributed to earthquake victims and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected regions, according to a statement released by the Head of Government’s Office.
Pursuant to directives by King Mohammed VI, the committee agreed to initiate the allocation of financial aid to families whose homes were partially or entirely destroyed by the earthquake. During the ten-day window from Oct. 6 until Oct. 16, affected individuals can apply to receive emergency assistance of 2,500 MAD monthly for a year. Those who miss that window can petition the local authorities to consider their cases.
The committee unveiled plans to launch road rehabilitation efforts, prioritizing the expansion of key routes connecting Ouirgane to Talat N’Yaaqoub (Al Haouz Province) and Tizi N’test to Tafingoult (Taroudant region).
Farmers in the affected regions will receive aid to assist in rebuilding their livestock and producing essential crops and animal fodder.
Urgent reconstruction projects involving over 1,000 schools, 42 local health centers, and the preservation of historical landmarks, including mosques, zawiyas, and mausoleums, will begin immediately.
The earthquake management special fund released 2.5 billion MAD to track and finance the aforementioned projects, which will help several sectors including as education, health, housing, culture, tourism, agriculture, and endowments.
Akhannouch called upon all sectors to “quickly” and “effectively” play their part in Morocco’s disaster recovery program not only to provide the immediate relief that communities need, but also to promote a “qualitative leap” in achieving longer term “economic, social and cultural development for the residents of the areas affected by the earthquake.”