His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, chaired on Wednesday 20th September 2023, a working session dedicated to the program for the reconstruction of regions affected by the Al Haouz earthquake.
Under an estimated budget of MAD 120 billion ($11.6 billion) over a period of five years, the initial version of the integrated and multi-sectoral program covers the six provinces and prefecture affected by the earthquake including Marrakech, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Ouarzazate.
According to a statement from the Royal Palace, the program is set to benefit 4.2 million inhabitants.
Based on a convergence approach and a precise diagnosis of needs, as well as an analysis of territorial potential and local players, this program includes projects aimed at, on the one hand, rebuilding housing and upgrading affected infrastructures, in line with the emergency measures decided at the September 14 meeting, and strengthening socio-economic development in targeted areas, on the other. It is structured around four main components:
1- Relocating people affected by the disaster, rebuilding housing and rehabilitating infrastructure;
2- Opening up and upgrading regions;
3- Accelerating the absorption of social deficits, particularly in the mountainous areas affected by the earthquake;
4- Encouraging economic activity and employment, and promoting local initiatives.
According to the above-said statement, the program also includes, as ordered by His Majesty the King, the establishment, in each region, of a large platform of essential reserves (tents, blankets, beds, medicines, foodstuffs, etc.) to deal immediately with natural disasters.
During this working session, HM invited the government to implement the vision presented at the level of each of the provinces and prefectures concerned.
Therefore, the Sovereign stressed once again the importance of listening to the needs of the local population in order to provide it with appropriate solutions, while giving due importance to the environmental dimension and respecting the unique heritage, traditions and lifestyles of each region.
HM the King also stressed the importance of exemplary governance, to ensure that the reconstruction program becomes a model of integrated and balanced territorial development.
The financing of the grand program will be provided through credits allocated from the state general budget, contributions from local authorities, and the Special Solidarity Fund dedicated to managing the effects of the earthquake, as well as through donations and international cooperation.
The Hassan II Fund, a state fund dedicated to supporting programs and projects with significant economic and social impact, will contribute MAD 2 billion ($194 million) to the financing of the program.
The working session comes in the wake of the devastating 7,2-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8. The earthquake has claiming nearly 3,000 lives and causing severe damage in several areas.