Two weeks after Morocco experienced its strongest earthquake, the Kingdom has activated its components to rescue, rebuild, organize and assist affected areas and peoples.
Morocco demonstrated “its ability to withstand, and its ability to face tests and challenges with strength and wisdom,” comments a recent assessment note from the Center for Public Dialogue and Contemporary Studies.
“Thanks to the strength of its institutions and the solidarity and generosity of its people,” Morocco has been able to mitigate the quake’s effects in time, raising money for rebuilding homes and elaborating infrastructure plans for the region.
The “Vigilance Point” note pointed to the pivotal role played by Morocco’s political stability, which helps it overcome adversities, such as the earthquake.
The paper considered that people need “a sense of confidence and reassurance, by moving them from the stage and time of uncertainty (caused by disasters) to the stage of confidence and belief in the near solution.”
“This does not come from a vacuum, but rather comes through the historical process and collective experience that brings together peoples and their institutions,” said the note, emphasizing the importance of the Kingdom’s political reality in the proper implementation of post-crisis action.
The evaluation paper added that the government’s measures, the Parliament’s reactivity, the people’s response and the media’s strong presence and commitment to quality, factual reporting have all contributed to Morocco’s impressive disaster response.
Implementation process
The note highlights that Morocco’s swift response is due to all Government components’ alignment to the rebuilding and assistance cause.
MoroccoLatestNews informed sources learned that this week will be decisive in starting the quake program’s implementation, which centers around rebuilding affected areas, as the census of destroyed properties had begun last week.
Affecting 163 communes, some 2,930 douars and 2.8 million people, the program will be comprehensive, and requires inter-ministerial efforts guided by Royal Directives.
According to the aforementioned sources, Minister of Agriculture Mohammad Seddiki will be conducting a field visit to affected regions this week, to detail support for local farmers.
In an interview with MoroccoLatestNews, the Minister revealed that the program includes compensating farmers and residents of villages affected by the earthquake, for lost livestock, which often constitutes their primary income.
The anticipated visit comes after a series of visits led by Fatima Zahraa Mansouri, Minister of Housing, Construction and City Policy, to the earthquake areas, in addition to Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice, as both officials chair the councils of the major cities near the earthquake.
Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch is expected to chair a meeting of the committee tracking the reconstruction plan today, Monday, which will deliberate on how to implement the program directed to those affected by the earthquake.