Rabat, 09/09/2023 –
On Saturday afternoon, September 9, 2023, HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, presided over a working session at the Royal Palace in Rabat. The session was dedicated to assessing the situation following the earthquake that occurred on Friday, September 8, resulting in both human and material losses across various regions of the kingdom.
During this meeting, officials provided HM King Mohammed VI with the latest updates on the affected prefectures and provinces, particularly in areas that were initially inaccessible until sunrise on the following day. The High Royal Attention was drawn to the immediate measures taken to address this significant natural catastrophe.
Under the constant guidance of HM King Mohammed VI, the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security services, and Civil Protection units, along with relevant ministries, swiftly implemented emergency measures, including:
- Strengthening the national blood supply.
- Providing drinking water to affected regions.
- Distributing food kits, tents, and blankets to affected populations.
- Rapidly restoring public services.
Furthermore, in response to HM King Mohammed VI’s directives as the Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the Royal Armed Forces promptly deployed substantial human and logistical resources, both in the air and on land. Specialized intervention units, including search and rescue teams and a medical-surgical field hospital, were dispatched for immediate assistance.
In addition to the ongoing field relief efforts, King Mohammed VI issued the following instructions:
- The immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial commission tasked with implementing an emergency rehabilitation and aid program aimed at reconstructing destroyed homes in affected areas.
- The provision of care for individuals in distress, particularly orphans and vulnerable individuals.
- Urgent assistance for those left without shelter after the earthquake, including housing, food, and other essential needs.
- Encouragement of economic operators to expedite the resumption of activities in affected regions.
- The opening of a dedicated bank account at the Treasury and Bank Al Maghrib to receive voluntary contributions from citizens, private entities, and public institutions.
- Full mobilization of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and its various components to support citizens in affected areas.
- Establishment of reserves and stocks of basic necessities (medicines, tents, beds, food, etc.) in every region of the Kingdom to prepare for any type of disaster.
In response to this tragedy, three days of national mourning have been declared, with national flags at half-mast on all public facilities.
King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, also instructed the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to conduct the Absent Prayer (Salat Al Ghaib) in all mosques across the Kingdom in memory of the victims.
His Majesty expressed Morocco’s sincere gratitude to all brotherly and friendly countries that have shown solidarity with the Moroccan people during this challenging time, with many offering assistance in these exceptional circumstances.
This working session was attended by Government Head Aziz Akhannouch, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, Health and Social Protection Minister Khalid Ait Taleb, Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone, Lieutenant General Mohamed Haramou, Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, Brigadier General Mohamed Elabbar, Inspector of FAR Military Health Service, Lieutenant Colonel Ihssane Lotfi, General Director of Civil Protection, Abdellatif Hammouchi, General Director of National Security, and Director General of National Territory Surveillance Mohamed El Azami. Additionally, coordinator and member of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity’s Board were present.
