On Friday, the authorities of Morocco will start providing money to families whose homes were destroyed in an earthquake the previous month that took almost 3,000 lives and will need an estimated $11.7 billion in reconstruction funds over the following five years.
After a commission assigned by King Mohammed VI to supervise recovery measures met earlier this week, the government said an initial monthly payment of 2,500 Moroccan dirhams ($242) will be paid beginning October 6.
Last month’s earthquake wreaked devastation on rural regions south of Marrakech, where mountain roads remain unpaved and the economy depends on herding and small-scale agriculture. As autumn nights get cooler, many are sleeping outside in donated tents with the daunting task of reconstructing before them.
The payments are among several forms of relief that Morocco intends to deliver to residents expelled by the earthquake. It will deliver temporary rehousing aid and up to 140,000 dirhams ($13,600) to reconstruct wrecked homes. It also set to reconstruct about 1,000 schools and 42 health centers.
The Royal Cabinet said on September 14 that the payments would go to 50,000 households in the affected region. Approximately 4.2 million people live in Marrakech and the five provinces hardest struck by the earthquake.
Morocco has also vowed to boost and broaden roads offer further aid to farmers and herders and subsidize barley and animal feed in hard-hit regions.
The September 8 earthquake sabotaged landmarks throughout the region, which is dominated by Morocco’s Amazigh-speaking minority.
Morocco formed a particular disaster relief fund three days after the earthquake. It is open to state funds and donations from within and outside Morocco, including from governments and assistance groups.
Further, the International Monetary Fund, which is scheduled to convene for its annual meetings next week in Marrakech, approved a $1.3 billion loan to assist Morocco in strengthening its strength to natural disasters.
