The US has renewed commitment to continue supporting Morocco’s recovery efforts to address challenges stemming from the devastating earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region last year in September.
A statement from the US embassy renewed the country’s commitment to continue to support Morocco’s disaster management efforts, recalling a recent trip to the Al Haouz region by US ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar.
Talwar visited communities where the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with UNICEF to support the government’s and locals’ efforts to boost the resilient recovery of the region, the statement explained.
“I’m grateful to be in Al Haouze seeing firsthand how USAID and UNICEF are working together with the Government of Morocco to support his majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision for recovery and the continuation of learning and child development,” the US ambassador said.
He spoke of being inspired by children, teachers, parents, school leaders, and associations he met during his working trip.
“They have shown incredible resilience and solidarity, and the United States is proud to stand with them and with Morocco, our oldest friend, as they continue to rebuild their communities even stronger,”Ambassador Talwar said
The earthquake struck Al Haouz region with a 6.8 magnitude, killing at least 3,0000 people, injuring more than 5,000, and leaving thousands others without homes.
In addition to Morocco’s recovery efforts, many countries like the US offered their support to the North African country to mitigate the repercussions and crisis caused by the quake..
Read also: Timeline: The Deadly September 8 Earthquake in Morocco
According to the US embassy, USAID provided approximately $12.6 million since the earthquake struck the region in initial humanitarian assistance and medium and long term recovery support.
As part of these reconstruction and recovery efforts, USAID and NGO GiveDirectly also allocated $2 million to “provide direct cash grants” to more than 220 cooperatives.
The initiative is in collaboration with the National Initiative for Human Development, the statement said, noting that the aid enabled cooperatives to purchase essential equipment and materials as well as replenish livestock and farming supplies.
In September, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch touted the progress of “serious” reconstruction efforts, noting that construction work had covered 449,632 housing units following the issuance of 555,000 construction permits.
Earlier this month, King Mohammed VI also instructed the government to extend emergency aid to rehabilitate damaged homes by five months to allow families to completely rehabilitate their homes
