Brave and solidary, my dear Country…

That’s how I know you, my dear country, that’s how I know all of you, my dear compatriots, united, united, united… in good times and bad.

On the night of Friday, September 8, 2023, a devastating earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck several regions of Morocco, with its epicenter located in the commune of Ighil in the Al Haouz region. This earthquake caused significant material damage and a tremendous loss of human lives, currently estimated at 2901 deaths and 5530 injured. According to experts, the magnitude of this devastating earthquake is equivalent to 30 atomic bombs.

It is not new for Morocco that despite the trauma experienced, all citizens immediately demonstrated their solidarity and cohesion in the face of this catastrophe. Regardless of age or financial means, every household contributed to humanitarian aid collections, including food products, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and not to mention the strong mobilization of citizens for a large blood donation campaign.

It is not new for Morocco that Moroccans residing abroad, while their bodies and homes are beyond the borders, their souls and hearts are always with their country of origin. This is evident through numerous blood donation and humanitarian aid campaigns throughout the world.

What is certain is that in times of crisis, even economically powerful countries can struggle with crisis management strategies. Morocco, guided by the wisdom of its King, has managed to control the situation.

Upon the high instructions of His Majesty, the Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Armed Forces urgently deployed significant human and logistical resources, both aerial and terrestrial, along with specialized intervention teams for search and rescue and a field medical-surgical hospital. Intervention detachments, planes, helicopters, drones, engineering assets, and logistical units have been deployed to provide the necessary support to the affected populations.

It is not new for Morocco to establish a solidarity fund to support its people in times of crises, similar to the fund dedicated to managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Fund number 126, titled ‘The special fund for managing the effects of the earthquake that affected the Kingdom of Morocco’, has been created by Bank Al-Maghrib. This account, which will receive voluntary contributions from citizens and private and public entities, will primarily be used to finance expenses related to the emergency program for the rehabilitation and support of reconstruction efforts for the destroyed houses in the affected areas, as well as for the assistance of people in difficult situations, including orphans and vulnerable individuals. It will also cover expenses related to encouraging economic actors to immediately resume activities in the affected areas and the creation of reserves and essential stocks in each region of the kingdom to respond to any type of catastrophe.

It is not new for Morocco that His Majesty King Mohammed VI visits the bedside of the wounded, inquires about their health, alleviates their pain, and donates his blood to those in need. It is a father-son relationship that no intruder could disrupt.

What remains new is the recent devastating earthquake, it is destiny…So, let us remain united to overcome this tragedy.