Agadir24
The Civil Coalition for the Mountain criticized the figures presented by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch regarding reconstruction in the areas affected by the September 8, 2023 earthquake, the first anniversary of which falls next Sunday.
In this context, the national coordinator of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain, Mohamed Al-Dish, reported that the amount of 20 thousand dirhams that was given to the residents as a first payment for rebuilding and rehabilitating the homes, was not enough to complete the building base, the cost of which ranges between 40 and 50 thousand dirhams, which was a condition for obtaining the next payment, due to the high cost of building materials and their transportation to the villages.
Al-Daish explained, during the symposium organized by the coalition today in Rabat under the title “A year after the Great Atlas earthquake, what is the outcome?” that two-thirds of the affected population were forced to stop construction operations, stressing that the number of families that received the second payment did not exceed 20,763 families, and only 939 received the fourth and final payment.
The national coordinator of the coalition pointed out that the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, indirectly referred to the obstacles to supporting the construction and rehabilitation of damaged homes, as he spoke about four payments, each of which the family receives only 20 thousand dirhams, which negates the families receiving the amount of 140 thousand dirhams that he spoke about earlier.
The spokesman confirmed that the families who received 140 thousand dirhams do not exceed 5 percent of the total number of those affected, and they received it from the previous committee.
Regarding the rehabilitation of schools and the reconstruction of those that have completely collapsed, the national coordinator of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain revealed that 1,287 schools are not ready to receive students for the current school year, which will force them to endure overcrowding in tents again or endure the trouble of moving to other centers that are already crowded with their students.
In another context, Al-Dish asked about the locations of the new holes and wells that the Prime Minister spoke about completing in the affected regions, noting that the committee did not provide any numbers in this regard, while stressing that stability and reconstruction depend largely on the availability of water.
For his part, Hussein Mashat, a member of the National Secretariat of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain, held the government, headed by Aziz Akhannouch, responsible for managing the aftermath of the earthquake.
Mashat explained that Akhannouch’s statement about removing 95 percent of the rubble left behind by the earthquake is “dreamy and inaccurate,” stressing that what has been removed does not exceed 50 or 60 percent of the total existing rubble, noting that the government has enlisted the help of residents in a number of villages that are difficult for machinery to reach to remove the rubble for 2,500 dirhams.
Regarding reconstruction support, the spokesman revealed that a number of families in the Douars of Three N’Yaqoub received only 60 thousand dirhams, far from the minimum that the government was talking about, which was set at 80 thousand dirhams.
A member of the National Secretariat of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain confirmed that despite the passage of a year since the Al Hoceima earthquake, the destruction is still evident today in many areas, as those affected suffer from the inability to return to their destroyed or cracked homes, while others have resorted to migrating to other areas.
The same human rights activist pointed out that many of those affected still suffer from a lack of shelter and basic services, and the infrastructure suffers from severe damage, while the region faces major challenges in reconstruction and development.
The Civil Coalition for the Mountain concluded that Morocco did not benefit from previous earthquakes, and repeated the experience of the Al Hoceima earthquake in the Al Haouz earthquake due to the governance imbalances it is experiencing.
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2024-09-09 18:48:09
Table of Contents
Agadir24: Remembering the Devastating Earthquakes that Shook Morocco
Introduction
As Morocco prepares to commemorate the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck on September 8, 2023, the Civil Coalition for the Mountain has criticized the government’s reconstruction efforts in the affected areas. The coalition has highlighted the struggles faced by the residents in rebuilding their homes and lives, citing inadequate financial support and slow progress in removing debris and reconstructing essential infrastructure like schools.
The 1960 Agadir Earthquake: A Traumatic Memory
The 1960 Agadir earthquake, which occurred on February 29th, is still etched in the memories of the Moroccan people. The powerful earthquake, accompanied by a massive tidal wave, almost completely destroyed the coastal town of Agadir, claiming between 12,000 to 15,000 lives in a mere 15 seconds [[3]]. The trauma of that fateful day has left an indelible mark on the nation.
The 2023 Earthquake and its Aftermath
The 2023 earthquake, which struck on September 8th, has left a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. The disaster has resulted in the loss of over 2,800 lives, with more than 2,500 people injured [[2]]. The Civil Coalition for the Mountain has criticized the government’s response to the disaster, pointing out that the initial payment of 20,000 dirhams to residents for rebuilding and rehabilitating their homes is grossly inadequate, considering the average cost of building a home base ranges between 40,000 to 50,000 dirhams.
Challenges in Reconstruction
The coalition has highlighted several challenges in the reconstruction process, including:
- Inadequate Financial Support: Many families have received only 20,000 dirhams as an initial payment, which is insufficient to complete the building base. Moreover, only 20,763 families have received the second payment, and a mere 939 families have received the fourth and final payment.
- Slow Progress in Removing Debris: The government’s claim of removing 95% of the rubble has been disputed by the coalition, which estimates that only 50 to 60% of the debris has been removed. Residents in some villages have been engaged to remove rubble for a paltry sum of 2,500 dirhams.
- Reconstruction of Schools: A staggering 1,287 schools are not ready to receive students for the current school year, forcing them to endure overcrowding in tents or move to other centers.
- Lack of Transparency: The government has not provided information on the locations of new wells and holes completed in the affected regions, which are crucial for stability and reconstruction.
Conclusion
As Morocco remembers the devastating earthquakes that have struck its soil, it is essential to acknowledge the struggles faced by the people and the shortcomings in the government’s response. The Civil Coalition for the Mountain’s criticism serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and effective reconstruction efforts. It is only by learning from the past and working together that Morocco can rebuild and move forward, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for its citizens.
One Year After the Devastating Earthquake in Morocco: Slow Recovery and Unfulfilled Promises
On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Morocco, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The disaster left thousands of people dead, injured, and displaced, with many more affected by the devastation. As the country marks the first anniversary of this devastating event, activist groups and organizations are calling out the government for its inadequate response and unfulfilled promises to support the affected communities.
Lack of Adequate Support for Rebuilding and Rehabilitation
The Civil Coalition for the Mountain, a national organization advocating for the rights of those affected by the earthquake, criticized the government’s reconstruction efforts. Mohamed Al-Dish, the national coordinator of the coalition, highlighted the inadequate support provided to families to rebuild and rehabilitate their homes. The initial payment of 20,000 dirhams was insufficient to complete the building base, which costs between 40,000 and 50,000 dirhams. As a result, two-thirds of the affected population were forced to stop construction operations, with only 20,763 families receiving the second payment and a mere 939 families receiving the fourth and final payment [[1]].
Unfulfilled Promises and Inaccurate Statements
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s statements on reconstruction efforts have been deemed “dreamy and inaccurate” by Hussein Mashat, a member of the National Secretariat of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain. The Prime Minister’s claim of removing 95% of the rubble left behind by the earthquake is disputed, with Mashat stating that only 50 or 60% of the total existing rubble has been removed. Furthermore, the government’s enlistment of residents in certain villages to remove rubble for 2,500 dirhams has raised concerns about the adequacy of support provided to these communities [[1]].
Reconstruction Support Falls Short
The Civil Coalition for the Mountain has also pointed out that many families have received inadequate reconstruction support. In the Douars of Three N’Yaqoub, families received only 60,000 dirhams, far short of the minimum 80,000 dirhams promised by the government. This lack of support has exacerbated the already dire situation, forcing many families to migrate to other areas [[1]].
Schools and Infrastructure Remain Affected
The earthquake also had a significant impact on the education sector, with 1,287 schools still not ready to receive students for the current school year. This has led to overcrowding in tents and the need for students to move to other centers, already crowded with students. The Civil Coalition for the Mountain has called on the government to provide adequate support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools and infrastructure in the affected areas [[1]].
International Response and Support
In the aftermath of the earthquake, international organizations and governments responded with aid and support. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched an emergency appeal to support the Moroccan Red Crescent in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected [[2]]. UNICEF also responded to the disaster, providing critical support to children and families in need [[3]].
Conclusion
As Morocco marks the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake, it is clear that much work remains to be done to support the affected communities. The government must take concrete steps to address the inadequate support provided to families, the lack of transparency in reconstruction efforts, and the need for increased international support. Only through collective action and a commitment to accountability can Morocco begin to rebuild and recover from this devastating disaster.
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