Earthquake in Morocco: rescuers, financial assistance…global solidarity organized

Condolences and offer of help. The solidarity organizing comes hours after a dramatic earthquake that killed at least 1,037 people and injured hundreds in Morocco. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck shortly after 23:00 (local time) with its epicenter in Al Haouz province, southwest of Marrakech. Damage is significant in historical areas as well as in many municipalities of the Atlas region.

Several heads of state have offered to send reinforcements to help Moroccan rescuers, and the first hours and days are critical to any hope of finding survivors.

European proposals

On

“At this moment, it is important to save as many lives as possible,” stressed Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez, specifying that Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME), as well as its aid agencies and embassy, ​​were “at the complete disposal of Morocco, Moroccan people.” The UME is a branch of the Spanish Armed Forces that can quickly respond to emergencies such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes. For example, it was deployed in Turkey last February after a devastating earthquake. José Manuel Albarez also assured that Spain would be able to help “in the recovery” when the time comes.

Help from the Maghreb and the Middle East

Morocco, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, received an offer of assistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who “instructed all government agencies and forces to provide all necessary assistance to the Moroccan people, including preparations for the dispatch of an aid team.” to the region,” his office said in a statement.

“Turkey, as always, is ready to provide all forms of support to heal the wounds” of Morocco, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Local initiatives

At the local level, several French elected officials have launched initiatives to raise funds to help Moroccan victims and authorities. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will convene on Monday evening the extraordinary office of the International Association of Francophone Mayors, which she heads, to determine how the body will come to the aid of affected cities.

The mayor of Trappe (Generation. s) Ali Rabe told Le Parisien that his city was going to allocate funds “as they did for Lebanon and Turkey.” A vote on the subsidy dedicated to the Secours populaire, “which is our historical partner in terms of international solidarity,” will be proposed to the municipal council, he assured. “Thanks to local connections, this association can be immediately mobilized locally.”

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said on X that Marseille and its firefighters will participate “in the efforts of the international community to help the affected population.” Marseille firefighters contacted by AFP said they had been contacted and that a census of available personnel was being carried out. “Officers from the southern civil security zone have asked us to identify all personnel available for rescue operations,” Ayrault firefighters also said.

On a larger scale, three regions have already offered their assistance: Occitanie, the Collective of Corsica and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (PACA) have pledged one million euros in humanitarian aid this Saturday “depending on the response to the needs expressed by Morocco.” in favor of the earthquake victims and for the reconstruction of the country,” said the presidents of these regions, respectively, Carole Delga, Gilles Simeoni and Renaud Musellier, in a joint press release.

“In the short term, we are ready to intervene together and provide emergency humanitarian assistance. In the same way, with the entire associated world, we want to target health support in Morocco to help the wounded and affected in this very difficult period that is beginning,” they specified. “Finally, this financial commitment will address upcoming recovery efforts, both urban and agricultural, and we already know that the needs will be numerous,” they added.