Post-Earthquake Reconstruction: Over 46,000 Families Restore Homes in Al Haouz

Rabat – More than 46,000 families have now rebuilt or rehabilitated their homes in the earthquake-hit province of Al Haouz.

According to new figures shared after a government commission meeting held Thursday in Rabat, the total amount of financial support allocated for reconstruction has exceeded MAD 4.2 billion ($425 million), while emergency aid payments, set at MAD 2,500 per household per month, have reached over MAD 2.4 billion ($243 million).

These numbers reflect the scale of the national response launched in the wake of last year’s disaster.

Chaired by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, the meeting brought together members of the Interministerial Commission overseeing the program. 

In addition to the thousands of homes now restored, the commission noted the near-complete dismantling of temporary shelters. From a peak of 129,000 tents, only 47 remain in place, with plans for full removal by September. 

Local task forces have also found on-the-ground solutions for 4,895 houses in isolated mountainous areas.

At the start of the meeting, Akhannouch acknowledged the pace of the work and called on all departments and agencies to intensify their efforts to complete the remaining projects with urgency and efficiency.

The commission also reviewed progress on essential infrastructure. Work on four sections of the RN7 highway currently stands between 25% and 65% completion. Meanwhile, construction crews have launched projects covering 165 kilometers of roads and 29 engineering structures, backed by a budget of MAD 920 million ($93 million).

In the education sector, 269 schools have completed reconstruction or repair. In healthcare, rehabilitation has finished in 70 health centers. Authorities expect to finalize work on 35 additional centers by August 2025, and 14 more by October of the same year.

In rural areas, the government has distributed livestock and barley to farmers, while also restoring agricultural infrastructure. Repair works on 43 damaged hydrological stations have concluded, and water networks have been reconnected in multiple douars.

Tourism, another pillar of local life, has seen 229 establishments benefit from the first round of financial aid, totaling MAD 61.1 million ($6.2 million). A second round brought support to 95 more businesses, with an additional MAD 30 million ($3 million) disbursed.

The meeting also addressed support for small merchants. A total of 1,600 shop owners who lost their places of business in the earthquake have received direct assistance.

Despite the commendable scale of reconstruction and financial support, these efforts still fall short of addressing the immense and lasting consequences left by the Al Haouz earthquake. 

The sheer number of affected families and the extent of damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods demand more sustained and comprehensive intervention. Many communities, especially in remote and mountainous areas, continue to face significant challenges in access to basic services and economic recovery. 

While crucial, emergency aid offers only temporary relief, and the pace of rebuilding essential public facilities such as schools and health centers remains slow, given the urgent needs. 

Moreover, the allocation of funds, though substantial on paper, struggles to keep up with inflation, rising construction costs, and the complex logistics of rebuilding in difficult terrain. 

The long-term social and economic scars require a strategy that goes beyond immediate reconstruction and focuses instead on resilience, sustainable development, and support for local economies to truly restore stability and hope for the people of Al Haouz.