The vigilance and Monitoring committee overseeing the reconstruction in Al Haouz Province is continuing its efforts across areas affected by the deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, 2023, implementing a comprehensive reconstruction and rehabilitation program, and providing direct support for resettling those displaced by the disaster and restoring damaged infrastructure, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the province are said by authorities to have achieved significant progress, thanks to the “relentless work” of provincial authorities in close coordination with governmental agencies, services, and partners. These efforts have reportedly expedited the rebuilding process and the “return to normalcy,” although many families in the region are facing another cold winter in tents.
Joint committees reportedly conducted a review of certain affected populations to evaluate individual claims to ensure that financial aid had reached eligible beneficiaries, based on technical inspections of damaged structures.
During visits to two villages, Douar Anmmar in Tameslouhte and Douar Aït Mbarek in Dar Jamaâ in Al Haouz Province, inspectors ascertained that most families there had moved into their new homes and resumed their daily activities, primarily involvement in agriculture. This was made possible through the resettlement program and infrastructure rehabilitation.
In interviews with MAP, affected families expressed their gratitude for the royal care extended by King Mohammed VI, which has allowed them to rebuild their lives under dignified conditions.
Noureddine Ait El Haj El Abbas, a beneficiary from Douar Anmmar, praised the commitment and diligence of provincial authorities throughout the reconstruction process. Similarly, Mohamed Bahrour from Douar Aït Mbarek noted that regular financial aid has facilitated his families return to normal life and the smooth progress of rebuilding efforts.
Hassan Laabidi, a member of the vigilance and monitoring committee, reported that 9,600 homes have been rebuilt or rehabilitated, with the number expected to reach 12,000 by the end of January. Meanwhile, construction work is ongoing for 11,227 houses, nearly half of which had to be reconstructed, and 3,783 structures are nearing completion.
The reconstruction process began in April 2024, seven months after the quake. Despite initial challenges such as hazardous zones classified by the Public Laboratory for Tests and Studies, the rugged terrain of the province, high transport costs for materials, and labor shortages, significant progress has been made, according to Laabidi.
He explained that constructing 26,228 homes requires 104,000 workers, a resource not readily available locally.
Hassan Eghighi, another committee member, highlighted how these constraints were overcome, paving the way for the current “steady” pace of reconstruction.
The devastating September 2023 earthquake claimed over 2,900 lives and injured 5,674, according to Morocco’s interior ministry. Beyond human casualties, the earthquake left a trail of destruction, leveling close to 49,632 homes overall, and 24,000 just in Al Haouz.