Public Management

One Year After Earthquake, Morocco Rebuilds Despite Challenges

One Year After Earthquake, Morocco Rebuilds Despite Challenges
Monday, 09 September 2024 15:07

A year has passed since a devastating earthquake hit central Morocco, killing nearly 3,000 people, injuring 5,500, and destroying around 60,000 homes. In response to the tragedy, the Moroccan government, led by King Mohammed VI, acted quickly. A large reconstruction plan was launched, aimed at providing new homes for the victims and restoring the damaged infrastructure.

Today, the rebuilding continues, but it is not without challenges. Still, there are signs of progress.

The Al Haouz province, known for rural tourism, was severely affected by the earthquake. The region’s infrastructure collapsed, leaving its people in uncertainty.

Months of work were needed to clear the rubble, an important first step toward restoring order. Clearing away the debris was more than just removing what was lost—it marked the beginning of rebuilding. However, the difficult terrain of the High Atlas mountains made it hard to reach some of the worst-hit areas, slowing the process and creating logistical problems.

For those who live there, recovery means more than just rebuilding houses. It’s about restoring stability and a sense of safety. The Moroccan government has provided financial aid to more than 97% of the affected families, but delays in distributing the money and complicated paperwork have caused frustration, especially in rural areas.

Tourism, a key industry in the region, was also affected. Over 370 tourist establishments were damaged, but efforts have been made to revive the sector. So far, 51 establishments have reopened, marking the start of recovery.

Morocco's Solidarity Fund for Catastrophic Events has released $300 million to help compensate uninsured victims. This financial support is part of the country’s broader effort to help those affected.

The reconstruction effort isn’t just about rebuilding structures. There is a growing debate about how to restore the region’s buildings while preserving its cultural identity. Some people support using modern materials like concrete, while others, like architect Salima Naji, advocate for traditional materials like stone and adobe (rammed earth). These natural materials, Naji explains, not only honor the region’s history but are practical as well—keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer. “In the High Atlas, we have an architecture that has stood the test of time. It’s built with local materials—stone, earth, and wood—and it works with the environment,” Naji said in an interview with Tribune.

Morocco is not just recovering from a disaster; it is rebuilding with a vision for the future, blending tradition and modernity while preserving the spirit of the mountains that are so important to its people.

When the earthquake hit on the night of September 8, 2023, Morocco responded quickly and decisively. Drawing on past experiences, like the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, the country quickly mobilized. The Royal Armed Forces, civil protection services, and local authorities rushed to the hardest-hit areas, including remote villages in the High Atlas. These teams restored security, treated the injured, and set up temporary shelters for the displaced.

In the days that followed, the nation came together in solidarity. Nonprofits, volunteers, and citizens sent food, water, and medical supplies to the affected areas. Across the country, people showed acts of kindness and generosity.

International support also arrived quickly. Countries like Spain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates sent teams and equipment to assist with clearing debris and rebuilding efforts. This cooperation helped Morocco bounce back, as noted in a report from the World Bank, which praised the country’s resilience in responding to the crisis.

Just weeks after the disaster, Morocco hosted the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Marrakech. This event became a symbol of the nation’s ability to rise above adversity while continuing to strengthen its role on the global stage.

Reconstruction efforts are now in full swing. Over the next five years, the Moroccan government plans to invest MAD120 billion (about $12 billion) into rebuilding key infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals. Special care is being given to children, with orphaned kids being named “wards of the nation,” ensuring their future protection.

Morocco, through its prompt and strategic response, has not only demonstrated its ability to face adversity but also reinforced its regional and international standing, as highlighted by the analysis of the Foundation for Strategic Research: "The swift actions of the King of Morocco in deploying relief operations have helped to showcase Morocco's new position in the global arena, characterized by a combination of strategic autonomy and renewed alliances."

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
(EBID) - The Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) held its 92nd Ordinary Session on June 30, 2025. The Board...
• The IMF approved a $261.9 million disbursement under DR Congo’s credit program• Economic growth hit 6.5% in 2024, driven by the extractive sector•...
• Ghana’s Parliament approved a $360 million loan from the World Bank’s IDA• The funds will help pay road sector arrears, support vulnerable groups,...
(AMETRADE) - The 15th edition of the annual Africa PPP Summit (#APPP2025) is set to take place on 28 – 31 October 2025 at Hilton Hotel, Windhoek, Republic...
Most Read
01

Lebara Group is now bringing its affordable and reliable mobile services to Africa, starting with Ni...

Telecoms: Lebara Enters Nigerian Market with Strong Competitive Ambitions
02

• Gates Foundation commits $1.6 billion over five years to Gavi.• Bill Gates warns of rising ch...

Gates Foundation Pledges $1.6 Billion to Gavi to Boost Global Child Vaccination
03

Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...

Côte d’Ivoire’s Fuel Price Cuts Haven’t Slashed Transport Costs–Yet
04

In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...

In Five Years, Francophone Africa Will be A Major Force in African Tech –Régis Bamba
05

• Maritime sector faces renewed risks amid military tensions in the Middle East• Blockade fears at S...

Israel-Iran conflict raises new threats for global shipping and oil trade
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.