Middle East Policy has been one of the world’s most cited publications on the region since its inception in 1982, and our Breaking Analysis series makes high-quality, diverse analysis available to a broader audience.
Policy Brief Program
September 12, 2023
On Friday, September 6, Morocco was hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, its epicenter approximately 45 miles southwest of Marrakesh. With a death toll of over 2,800 people, the earthquake is “the strongest to hit the North African country in the last century,” according to Morocco’s National Geophysical Institute. Sources across the MENA region report on aid and assistance to Morocco:
The Moroccan government called a meeting of the Interministerial Commission to implement an emergency program for repairing homes in the affected areas of the earthquake. According to Maghreb Arabe Press, the commission is presently developing a plan to rebuild affected areas, and a detailed vision “will be officially announced in the next few days after being refined this week.”
Daily Sabah reports that Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has “offered to send a 265-member team, including rescuers from AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the National Medical Rescue, affiliated with the Health Ministry and non-governmental organizations.” Turkish President Erdoğan, speaking on the matter, said: “I convey my best wishes to all Moroccan people affected by the earthquake disaster in friendly and brotherly Morocco.”
Among others, aid has been promised from China, Qatar, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom. France, and Algeria, according to Al-Jazeera. Furthermore, Algeria, “which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions focused on the disputed Western Sahara region, said it would open its airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.”
Al-Arabiya notes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered his condolences to Moroccan King Mohammed VI during a phone call on Monday, September 11, and said that he had “directed the relevant Saudi authorities to swiftly provide the necessary relief and humanitarian aid to help alleviate the impact of this tragic event.”
Figures in the private sector have also emerged to offer their support. For example, Arabian Business reports that UAE-based messaging app BOTIM “will be offering free money transfers to aid those in need” in the aftermath of the earthquake. The app’s parent company, Astra Tech, is also supporting the Emirates Red Cross donation drive.
Moroccan King Mohammed VI, according to the Maghreb Arabe Press, “expressed sincere thanks of the kingdom of Morocco to all brotherly and friendly countries that expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people on this situation, and many of which expressed their readiness to provide aid in these special circumstances.”
Al-Arabiya further detailed the Moroccan government’s analysis on its ability to host upcoming economic meetings. Despite the damage caused by the earthquake, Morocco’s government wants the prescheduled meetings in October with the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech to proceed. However, “the IMF and World Bank declined to comment on Morocco’s position on the meetings…their immediate focus was on the initial response to the disaster.”
Middle East Policy has been one of the world’s most cited publications on the region since its inception in 1982, and our Breaking Analysis series makes high-quality, diverse analysis available to a broader audience.
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Policy Brief Program
September 12, 2023
On Friday, September 6, Morocco was hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, its epicenter approximately 45 miles southwest of Marrakesh. With a death toll of over 2,800 people, the earthquake is “the strongest to hit the North African country in the last century,” according to Morocco’s National Geophysical Institute. Sources across the MENA region report on aid and assistance to Morocco:
The Moroccan government called a meeting of the Interministerial Commission to implement an emergency program for repairing homes in the affected areas of the earthquake. According to Maghreb Arabe Press, the commission is presently developing a plan to rebuild affected areas, and a detailed vision “will be officially announced in the next few days after being refined this week.”
Daily Sabah reports that Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has “offered to send a 265-member team, including rescuers from AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the National Medical Rescue, affiliated with the Health Ministry and non-governmental organizations.” Turkish President Erdoğan, speaking on the matter, said: “I convey my best wishes to all Moroccan people affected by the earthquake disaster in friendly and brotherly Morocco.”
Among others, aid has been promised from China, Qatar, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom. France, and Algeria, according to Al-Jazeera. Furthermore, Algeria, “which broke off ties with Morocco in 2021 after escalating tensions focused on the disputed Western Sahara region, said it would open its airspace for humanitarian and medical flights.”
Al-Arabiya notes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered his condolences to Moroccan King Mohammed VI during a phone call on Monday, September 11, and said that he had “directed the relevant Saudi authorities to swiftly provide the necessary relief and humanitarian aid to help alleviate the impact of this tragic event.”
Figures in the private sector have also emerged to offer their support. For example, Arabian Business reports that UAE-based messaging app BOTIM “will be offering free money transfers to aid those in need” in the aftermath of the earthquake. The app’s parent company, Astra Tech, is also supporting the Emirates Red Cross donation drive.
Moroccan King Mohammed VI, according to the Maghreb Arabe Press, “expressed sincere thanks of the kingdom of Morocco to all brotherly and friendly countries that expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people on this situation, and many of which expressed their readiness to provide aid in these special circumstances.”
Al-Arabiya further detailed the Moroccan government’s analysis on its ability to host upcoming economic meetings. Despite the damage caused by the earthquake, Morocco’s government wants the prescheduled meetings in October with the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech to proceed. However, “the IMF and World Bank declined to comment on Morocco’s position on the meetings…their immediate focus was on the initial response to the disaster.”
(Image: ABDELHAK BALHAKI / REUTERS)