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Rabat – Morocco and the European Union (EU) have formalized a €190 million (approximately 2 billion MAD) financing agreement to aid in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-hit areas following the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.
Signed today in Rabat by Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, and the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, the program aims to support recovery efforts from 2024 to 2028.
The initiative focuses on rebuilding homes, restoring essential public services such as healthcare and education, and reviving local economies.
It also seeks to bolster territorial cohesion in affected areas, where the devastating earthquake claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left over 6,000 injured.
The earthquake, recorded on September 8, 2023, was the strongest in Morocco’s history, with a magnitude of 6.8.
The epicenter was in the High Atlas region, near Al Haouz province, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. The tremors were felt across Morocco and as far as southern Spain and Algeria.
Minister Lekjaa emphasized the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of impacted communities, highlighting emergency aid already provided to over 63,800 households.
He emphasizes on the importance of restoring public services, particularly in education and healthcare, and commended Moroccan civil society’s solidarity in supporting the reconstruction process.
Read also: Morocco Calls for Actions, Not Words to Safeguard EU-Morocco Partnership
Commissioner Várhelyi noted that the EU’s contribution extends beyond financial assistance, aiming to support sustainable development in the region.
He also praised the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) role in mobilizing significant funds for reconstruction which includes a €500 million loan as part of a broader €1 billion reconstruction package.
The agreement builds on prior EU grants, reflecting a sustained commitment to Morocco’s recovery and long-term development. Additionally, a civil society initiative aims to promote heritage preservation and community involvement in rebuilding efforts.
The Morocco-EU partnership is underpinned by decades of collaboration through the European Neighborhood Policy and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Despite occasional tensions, such as legal disputes over agreements involving Western Sahara, both sides maintain strong ties, reflecting shared economic and political interests.
