Rabat – Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch chaired on October 2 in Rabat the fifth meeting of the interministerial commission in charge of deploying an emergency program to rehabilitate and help rebuild the homes destroyed by the September 8 earthquake.
In application of the royal instructions, it was decided to start allocating emergency aid, set at MAD 2,500 ($240) per month over a period of one year, to families whose homes have partially or totally collapsed starting from October 6 to 16, according to a press release from the head of government’s department.
According to the press release, families who did not get financial aid within the aforementioned time period will be able to file complaints to the relevant provincial commissions for review and decision.
The commission also decided to launch its road upgrading operation, the first stage of which will involve the opening and widening of the road linking the town of Ouirgane to Talat N’Yaaqoub and Tizi N’test to Tafoughalt.
In addition, the commission will begin allocating aid to farmers to rebuild the national herd stock, as well as subsidize barley and compound feed in the affected areas, noted the same source.
It was also decided that urgent reconstruction projects should be implemented as quickly as possible, with the launch of architectural and technical studies covering the reconstruction and upgrading of more than 1,000 schools, 42 local health centers, historic sites, mosques, Zaouias, and mausoleums.
In order to ensure the follow-up and financing of these projects, which concern the education, health, equipment, housing, culture, tourism, agriculture, and Habous sectors, it was decided to open credits of MAD 2.5 billion ($242 million) through the “Special Fund 126” dedicated to managing the impacts of the earthquake, in order to hasten its immediate implementation.
During the meeting, the members of the commission stated that the government is determined to implement the reconstruction and general upgrading program for the regions affected by the earthquake, specifying that the government has effectively begun implementing urgent projects.
The head of government urged various relevant departments to ensure the rapid and optimal implementation of the various components of the integrated program.
This program aims to help the people in the impacted areas make a significant boost in their economic, social, and cultural growth in addition to addressing the earthquake’s aftermath and reconstruction.
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