The government of Morocco will start giving money to families on Friday whose homes were devastated in the quake that struck the country last month, killing almost 3,000 people and requiring an estimated $11.7 billion in restoration funding over the following five years.
The government announced an initial monthly payment of 2,500 Moroccan dirhams ($242) will be made starting on October 6 after a commision appointed by King Mohammed VI to monitor recovery efforts met earlier this week.
Rural areas south of Marrakech, where mountain routes are still unpaved and herding and small-scale agriculture are the main sources of income, were severely damaged by the earthquake that occurred on September 8. Many others are sleeping outside in donated tents as the autumn nights grow chillier, facing the overwhelming challenge of reconstruction.
The payments are one of many types of aid that Morocco aims to give earthquake-displaced people. In order to repair devastated dwellings, it will offer interim housing aid and up to 140,000 dirhams ($13,600). Additionally, it intends to rehabilitate 42 medical facilities and around 1,000 schools.
On September 14, the Royal Cabinet announced that 50,000 residents in the affected area will receive reimbursements. In Marrakech and the five regions that were most severely affected by the earthquake, there are about 4.2 million inhabitants.
Additionally, Morocco has promised to improve and enlarge roads, provide more support for farmers and herders, and subsidise barley and animal feed in hard-hit areas.
The region, which is controlled by Morocco’s Amazigh-speaking minority, suffered damage from the earthquake.
A separate disaster relief fund was established in Morocco three days after the earthquake. State finances as well as donations from both inside and outside of Morocco, including those from governments and relief organisations, are welcome.
In addition, the IMF approved a $1.3 billion loan to help Morocco strengthen its ability to withstand natural disasters. The IMF will meet for its annual sessions next week in Marrakech.
