Rabat – A total of 33,636 families have completed rebuilding or repairing their damaged homes following the Al Haouz earthquake.
Director General of the High Atlas Development Agency, Said Laith, provided updates on the housing reconstruction progress in a government meeting, chaired by head of government Aziz Akhannouch today in Rabat.
Laith added that construction work on 14,463 houses has surpassed 50% completion, while the overall rebuilding process has started on 52,669 homes.
The meeting also addressed challenges in mountainous regions, where special measures were taken for 4,633 homes in 12 villages. Among them, 1,378 families have been relocated to areas with available land for reconstruction.
The government said in a statement that families whose homes were fully or partially destroyed received monthly emergency aid of MAD 2,500, which has now been extended for an additional five months. Since the aid program began, the total financial support has reached MAD 2.3 billion.
The government also reviewed the reconstruction of 165 schools, while work continues on 763 more, expected to be ready for the next academic year. In addition, 42 health centers have been fully rehabilitated, and 17 more are nearing completion.
Meanwhile, 92 new projects are in progress to improve medical services in affected areas, added the statement.
The government also confirmed the completion of the first phase of its agricultural recovery plan, with MAD 611 million allocated to restore farming infrastructure, support livestock farmers, and provide free feed for animals.
Efforts to repair key roadways are also advancing, including work on the 64-kilometer-long National Road No. 7. Water supply restoration is also a priority, the government said, with repairs completed on damaged pipelines and 43 hydrological stations.
The Al Haouz earthquake severely impacted businesses, and 1,408 shop owners have received financial support totaling MAD &27 million to help them recover. The tourism sector has also received assistance, with 227 hotels and guesthouses benefiting from the first round of funding, worth over MAD 60 million, and 82 additional establishments receiving a second round of support totaling MAD 26 million.
Akhannouch acknowledged the progress in reconstruction efforts but urged the High Atlas Development Agency to accelerate the pace, especially for families still living in tents.
The devastating earthquake caused widespread destruction to houses and infrastructure. A year and a half later, many affected communities still live in tents under harsh conditions.
In the wake of the recent heavy rain and snow that several Moroccan regions, including Al Haouz, have witnessed, renewed calls have emerged to find a solution for these communities.
