Morocco has declared 3 days of mourning, with flags at half-mast, after a powerful earthquake claimed over 2,000 lives and injured thousands.
This decision followed a working session chaired by King Mohammed VI, dedicated to assessing the situation after the earthquake on September 8, which resulted in human and material losses across the kingdom.
The King also instructed the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to conduct Absent Prayer (Salat Al Ghaib) in all mosques for the souls of the victims.
Furthermore, he mandated the continuation of relief efforts and the establishment of an inter-ministerial commission for emergency rehabilitation and aid programs to reconstruct the affected areas promptly.
“Provide care to people in distress, notably orphans and vulnerable people; provide immediate care to all people who found themselves without shelter following the earthquake, notably in terms of housing, food and other basic needs; encourage economic operators for a quick resumption of activities in the areas concerned; Open a special bank account at Treasury and Bank Al Maghrib to receive the voluntary solidarity contributions of citizens as well as private and public instructions.”
“Ensure the full mobilization of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, with all its components, to support citizens in affected areas Create reserves and stocks of basic necessities (medicines, tents, beds, food…etc.) in every region of the Kingdom to prepare for any type of disaster,” the release from the Royal Office said on Saturday.
The Sovereign also conveyed Morocco’s sincere gratitude to all the brotherly and friendly nations that extended their solidarity to the Moroccan people during this situation. Many of these countries have expressed their willingness to offer assistance in these exceptional circumstances.
Present at this working meeting were Government Head Aziz Akhannouch, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, Health and Social Protection Minister Khalid Ait Taleb, along with Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone, and Lieutenant General Mohamed Haramou.
Also in attendance were Brigadier General Mohamed Elabbar, Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, Brigadier General Mohamed Elabbar, Inspector of the FAR Military Health Service, Lieutenant Colonel Ihssane Lotfi, General Director of Civil Protection Abdellatif Hammouchi, General Director of National Security, Director General of National Territory Surveillance Mohamed El Azami, and a coordinator and member of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity’s Board.