Morocco’s recovery after the devastating earthquake

A month and a half has passed since the Kingdom of Morocco was struck by a devastating earthquake on the eve of September 8th, 2023. It is worth recalling that this unprecedented tragedy, registering a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale, stands as the most violent in Morocco’s history, resulting in a tragic toll of 2,946 lives lost, over 5,674 injuries, and substantial damage to 530 schools and 55 boarding facilities, and the economic losses were estimated to be in millions of euros. 

The reaction to this disaster was immediate, as crisis management mechanisms rapidly leapt into action to offer aid and adequate assistance. HM King Mohammed VI played a pivotal role in guiding response efforts and personally engaged with those affected. The Sovereign has presided meetings on September 9th, 14th and 20th, dedicated to unfolding directives and proactive measures to adequately respond to the devastating earthquake, and to reform the social welfare of all Moroccans in order to improve living standards, reduce poverty, and enhance human development.

These directives, set up under the guidance of the King, will be the basis of implementing a carefully planned, integrated, ambitious and multi-sectoral program, aimed at delivering a robust, coherent, swift, and proactive response to the disaster, with an estimated budget of 120 million euros over five years. It is concentrated on the six provinces and prefectures most severely affected by the earthquake, impacting a population of 4.2 million. 

The program encompasses various projects geared toward reconstructing and housing, upgrading damaged infrastructure, and fostering socio-economic development in these regions, and is organized around four primary components:

(1) relocating affected individuals, rebuilding housing, and restoring infrastructure;
(2) improving regional accessibility and development;
(3) addressing social deficits, particularly in mountainous areas;
(4) stimulating economic activity, employment, and local initiatives. 

Additionally, and in order to extend the welfare reform to the whole society, the King, while emphasizing on the need for transparency, equity, and good governance, requested the implementation of various measures, such as a review to the national family code, while underlying the role of the family, considered in Morocco as the pillar of society. The Sovereign has also requested the implementation of the program for the provision of direct social assistance, a large scale social protection project with a focus on various social segments to enhance family cohesion and social protection. This project is considered to be a pillar of social and development model in the Kingdom.

Moreover, a new housing assistance program will be established over the period 2024-2028, aiming at renewing the approach to home ownership assistance and help households’ purchasing power, through direct financial aid. This program is extended to all Moroccans residing in the country or abroad. It will also facilitate access to housing for low-income and middle social classes, and will enhance the economic sector, by increasing the supply of housing, revitalizing the housing sector, boosting the private sector, as well as creating jobs.

It is worth noting that this devastating tragedy was a testimony to the world, of the extraordinary solidarity among Moroccan citizens and civil society, who have raced to organizing collections of essential supplies for the affected regions, as well as to engaging massively in blood donation. These spontaneous reactions from all the segments of the Moroccan society are living proofs of the importance of the Moroccan authentic values in overcoming adversity, showcased by spiritual values, including openness and tolerance, as well as national values based on social cohesion and solidarity and unity around the Monarchy.  

The Sovereign, at the opening of the first Session of the Third Legislative year of the Parliament, praised the solidarity and support demonstrated by civil society and Moroccans around the world, describing these values as ingrained in the Moroccan DNA and as enshrined in the Kingdom’s Constitution, embodied by all the components of the Moroccan authentic identity and are also fully in line with universal values.

It was also the occasion for the King to recognize the tremendous efforts of the Royal Armed Forces and emergency agencies, and to appreciate and reiterate gratitude for the brotherly and friendly countries that showed support during the crisis. 

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