Rabat – In a significant development for reconstruction efforts following the Al Haouz earthquake, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch chaired a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee responsible for the general reconstruction and rehabilitation program for affected areas. The meeting, held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in Rabat, revealed notable progress in implementing the program.
In a remarkable move, the committee announced an extension of the emergency aid disbursement period of 2,500 dirhams monthly to affected families for an additional five months, in accordance with royal directives. The total value of this aid has exceeded 1.7 billion dirhams.
The committee reported issuing more than 56,000 reconstruction permits, with significant progress in construction and rehabilitation works for about 51,000 homes. Field solutions have also begun for 1,700 homes in areas with difficult terrain.
Regarding financial support, the committee confirmed that over 57,000 families have received the first installment of reconstruction aid, with a total value exceeding 2 billion dirhams. Subsequent installments have been distributed to thousands of other families.
Reconstruction efforts have covered multiple sectors, including road infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and tourism. Progress has been made in rehabilitating main roads, renovating health centers, and repairing damaged schools.
In the agricultural sector, more than 30,000 livestock heads were distributed free of charge to affected farmers, in addition to repairing irrigation systems and rehabilitating rural pathways.
Support also extended to the tourism sector, with hundreds of applications processed for financial aid to affected tourist accommodation establishments. The support also included cooperatives and vendors affected by the earthquake.
Finally, the committee noted the commencement of projects to restore damaged archaeological and historical sites, with a budget exceeding 130 million dirhams.
These efforts reflect the Moroccan government’s commitment to rebuilding affected areas and improving the living conditions of earthquake-affected residents.