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Rabat – Spain has officially accepted Morocco’s offer of assistance following the deadly floods that struck southeastern parts of the country at the end of October, according to a statement from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
The ministry stated that Morocco was one of the first countries to offer assistance following the floods on October 29. With the approval of the Valencian authorities, the ministry is now preparing to integrate 24 trucks and 70 workers from Morocco into the recovery efforts.
These Moroccan teams are expected to join the recovery efforts in the next 24 to 48 hours to assist in removing and transporting sludge and waste in the affected areas.
On October 30, King Mohammed VI issued instructions for Morocco to extend support to Spain following the deadly floods. A statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Interior expressed the country’s readiness to dispatch rescue teams to the affected region.
The Spanish ministry’s statement added that following a request from the Generalitat Valenciana, they activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism on November 8, prompting support from Portugal and France.
Read also: Spain Unveils €10.6 Billion Emergency Relief Plan for Flood-Hit Regions
Portugal is providing around 20 pumping machines of various types and capacities, seven excavators and backhoes, and two loading trucks through its National Emergency and Civil Protection Command.
Meanwhile, France is contributing several types of machinery for loading and unloading sludge and waste, along with four heavy-duty transport vehicles designed to carry large loads of extracted materials to designated disposal sites.
The statement added that Spain’s General Directorate of Civil Protection is currently evaluating additional offers of assistance from various European countries through the European Civil Protection Mechanism. If they are deemed technically viable and are accepted by the Generalitat Valenciana, they will be integrated into the ongoing recovery efforts.
The devastating floods have claimed the lives of at least 214 people in Valencia and surrounding areas due to an intense DANA (isolated high-altitude depression) storm that brought a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours. Scientists report that the magnitude of this “cold drop” weather system is likely due to climate change. The flooding devastated infrastructure, homes, and farmland.
The devastating aftermath of the floods triggered political and public outcry due to perceived failures in preparation and response by local and national authorities.
In addition to the Valencia region, the disaster affected other regions in southern and eastern Spain, including Costa del Sol, which is home to Malaga. Unfortunately for the region’s residents, the flooding is expected to continue. Recent reports say that local authorities in Malaga have evacuated thousands of people from their homes after a red weather alert was issued for anticipated heavy rain and flooding.
