By Rebecca Ekpe
Morocco has invited Technocrats and Expertise from all over the world to Menara, Marrakesh, in a post-debriefing encounter in a bid to learn from and share lessons, about three weeks after the country was struck by a devastating earthquake that claimed almost 3,000 lives, affecting more than 300,000 persons including women and children, according to Official reports in Morocco.
What happened?:
A Red Cross report indicated that two weeks after the devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which struck Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains 70 kilometres from Marrakech, humanitarian needs are growing. While aid reached more isolated regions, there were still logistical hurdles due to obstructed roads. Many people had nothing and were in desperate need of clean water, food, and shelter—the very basics. With bodies still buried under the rubble and aftershocks sparking flashbacks, many people experienced psychological distress. And there continued struggles to reach remote areas of the High Atlas Mountains with heavy machinery, and rescuers warned the window for finding survivors was closing.
Support for Morocco:
Countries all over the world extended a hand of support to Morocco during this difficult time.
The Government and People of Ghana also expressed sympathy and condolences to King Mohammed VI, the Government and people of the Kingdom of Morocco following the tragic earthquake on Friday, September 8, 2023, which claimed many lives.
President Akufo-Addo wrote in a tweet.
“On behalf of the people of Ghana, I extend my deepest condolences to King Mohammed VI and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Morocco on the tragedy which has been occasioned by Friday’s earthquake and has claimed the lives of thousands.”
“We pray for the families of the victims, and wish the injured speedy recovery.”
On behalf of the people of Ghana, I extend my deepest condolences to King Mohammed VI and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Morocco on the tragedy which has been occasioned by Friday’s earthquake, and has claimed the lives of thousands. We pray for the families of…
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) September 10, 2023
Recovery:
During the recovery process, King Mohammed VI and Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan chaired a working session dedicated to examining the situation and ordered a re-building. This meeting follows a series of measures ordered by the Sovereign, aimed at mobilising all resources with the necessary speed and efficiency to help stricken families and citizens, and in particular to deploy rehabilitation and reconstruction measures as quickly as possible, in the localities affected by this natural disaster of unprecedented proportions.
Particularly, His Majesty the King reiterated His High Instructions for a strong, swift and proactive response while respecting the dignity, customs and heritage of the populations. In addition to repairing the damage caused by the earthquake, these measures will also involve launching a well-thought-out, integrated and ambitious program for the reconstruction and general upgrading of the affected regions, both in terms of infrastructure reinforcement and improving the quality of public services.
This multi-faceted program will primarily mobilise the State’s own financial resources and those of public bodies and will also be open to contributions from private players and Associations, as well as from brotherly and friendly countries that so wish.
For now, Morocco has a 5-year comprehensive recovery plan in place, amounting to Billions in cash.
Expert proposals:
Experts at the Second African Conference on Health Risk Reduction advise the need to re-create economic models to navigate such disasters, should it recur.
Also Disaster Communication should be reviewed, especially for the local people, to facilitate response during a disaster of such magnitude.
Furthermore, there is the need for Africa to develop expertise specifically in and for Medical Emergencies.
Above all, young people should be encouraged to take up scientific professional programs, especially in Seismology, Medical Disaster Management and Health in a bid to contribute to the overall well-being of people and more sustainable societies.