Rabat – Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland Michael Martin has announced a €2 million donation as his country’s contribution to efforts to assist Morocco’s relief endeavors as the North African country races against the clock to help people that have been most affected by the devastating earthquake that struck several Moroccan provinces late on Friday.
Martin, who also serves as the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, announced that the fund will support the work of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Morocco’s Red Crescent Society who are joining forces to assist people needing help after the earthquake destroyed their homes and upended their lives.
The funds aim to support local communities that were severely affected by providing shelter, drinking water and food, as well as medical care.
The World Health Organization has estimated that as many as 300,000 people have been affected by the deadly earthquake, with reports indicating that over 2400 have lost their lives while thousands others have sustained injuries of varying severity.
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“I was shocked and saddened to learn of this devastating earthquake. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones,” the Irish deputy Prime Minister said, while conveying his country’s solidarity with the people of Morocco.
The Irish official also expressed Ireland’s determination to provide immediate emergency humanitarian assistance, stressing that funding from Ireland will support a locally led response.
Sean Fleming, Ireland’s Minister for International Development, also commented on the devastating earthquake, stressing that Dublin’s fund will play an “important role in the rebuilding of lives and communities in Morocco following the devastating earthquake.”
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Morocco in Dublin has thanked all people and NGOs sending donations for people affected by the earthquake.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the sympathy and solidarity expressed and shown by people and organizations in Ireland and beyond to help recover from the devastating earthquake and deadly earthquake that struck our country Morocco,” the embassy said, thanking people across the world for their supportive calls and messages.
The embassy recalled that Morocco has created a special bank account at Bank Al Maghrib, Morocco’s central bank, to receive donations and contributions from people around the world.
