A total of $11.6 billion will be spent over a five-year period as King Mohammed VI of Morocco unveils the plans to reconstruct the six regions affected by devastating Al Haouz earthquake earlier this month. According to information from the Royal Office in Rabat, the King presided over a working session at the Royal Palace this Wednesday in a session totally dedicated to the reconstruction of regions affected by the earthquake.
A multi-sectoral programme was then unveiled for the six provinces and prefecture affected by the earthquake including Marrakech, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Ouarzazate.
Over 4.2 people live in the affected region. The meeting was the third session since the September 8 earthquake. It aggregated the needs of the affected regions which include the reconstruction of housing and upgrading of affected infrastructure.
The first goal targets the relocation of displaced people, and reconstruction of housing units and infrastructure, while the second goal is to enhance connectivity and upgrade infrastructure across the affected regions. The third goal is to reduce social inequality, especially in remote and mountainous areas.
The fourth goal is to promote economic activities and job creation while prioritizing local initiatives.
Under the order of King Mohammed VI, the program also involves establishing large essential reserve platforms to hold tents, blankets, beds, medicines, and food in each region to respond immediately to natural disasters.
During the working session, King Mohammed VI invited the government to implement the vision presented at the level of each concerned province and prefecture.
The monarch once again emphasized the importance of catering to the specific needs of local people to provide tailored solutions while giving due consideration to environmental aspects and respecting the unique heritage and traditions of each region.
He 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.
Attending this working meeting were a number of high profiles including Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Advisor of the King Fouad Ali El Himma, and the Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, among others.
The working session was also attended by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Ms. Nadia Fettah, the Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy, Ms. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri.
The others in attendance were the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, Faouzi Lekjaa, as well as the Lieutenant General, Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the South zone.”