According to the royal palace, Morocco plans to spend at least 120 billion dirhams (Ksh.1.7 trillion) on post-earthquake rehabilitation over the next five years.

PHOTO | COURTESY family at a camp

On September 8, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck, killing about 2,900 people, most of whom lived in remote settlements in the High Atlas mountains.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rescue workers

Following a meeting with government and army officials, King Mohammed VI announced a strategy to target 4.2 million people in the worst-affected provinces of Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Azizlal.

According to the statement, the plan includes rehousing and infrastructure upgrades to promote social and economic development in the quake-affected communities.


PHOTO | COURTESY residents rescuing their belongings 


The earthquake-affected areas are among the poorest in Morocco, with many rural villages lacking proper roads and public amenities.

According to the royal palace, the plan would be supported by the government's budget, international aid, and a fund established in reaction to the earthquake.

PHOTO | COURTESY earth quake debris


So far, the fund has received $700 million in donations. The palace announced last week that 50,000 homes had been damaged and that authorities would provide shelter and 30,000 dirhams ($3,000) to impacted households. It also promised to provide 140,000 dirhams in reconstruction funding for collapsed homes and 80,000 dirhams for damaged homes.