The European Commission has officially approved a €177 million aid program to support Morocco in its comprehensive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for areas devastated by the destructive earthquake that struck the country on September 8, 2023.
In a press release published on its official website, the European Commission stated that the program’s duration will extend from 2024 to 2028.
Furthermore, as part of the joint effort between the European Union and the European Investment Bank, the latter has committed to providing a €1 billion loan over five years (a sum guaranteed by the European Union) to assist Morocco in its post-earthquake reconstruction program.
This loan, currently under evaluation, can be utilized for rebuilding schools, roads, and hospitals with sustainable infrastructure capable of withstanding climate change.
The statement further indicated that the work towards comprehensive and sustainable reconstruction would take the form of support for Morocco’s budget and would address various specific objectives.
These include providing support to individuals affected by the earthquake, particularly through the provision of refurbished or rebuilt housing.
Additionally, the aid aims to assist in the re-establishment of public services, with a particular focus on health and education, based on functional infrastructure.
It also seeks to revive and enhance economic activity and regional cohesion in the earthquake-affected areas.
The assistance program will also aim to support social and environmental sustainability, reduce vulnerabilities, and equip communities and institutions to better withstand future natural disasters.
This will be achieved by leveraging other structural reforms supported by EU programs in areas such as decentralization and access to public services, including drinking water, healthcare, education, and social care, according to the statement.
