UK and Morocco: £1.45 million aid post-earthquake

UK and Morocco: The United Kingdom extends its hand in support to Morocco, pledging up to £1.45 million to assist Moroccan-led recovery efforts following a destructive earthquake last month

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has announced a substantial aid package of £1.45 million to bolster Moroccan recovery efforts in the aftermath of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the Marrakech-Safi region on September 8th.

UK and Morocco: Addressing immediate needs

This new funding will address the immediate requirements of the affected communities and facilitate long-term development, aligning with Morocco’s five-year recovery plan.

In addition to supporting health services and shelter, this initiative will expand collaboration with local farmers and cooperatives, facilitating the marketing of high-quality agricultural products while preserving local biodiversity.

United support from the UK

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, expressed his admiration for the Moroccan people’s resilience in the face of adversity.

The UK reaffirms its commitment to assisting friends in need, providing an additional £1.45 million to aid Moroccans in rebuilding their lives.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon emphasised the UK’s dedication to supporting Morocco’s recovery and highlighted the thriving partnership between the UK and Morocco.

The UK remains prepared to offer further assistance.

Annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF

This announcement coincides with the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund hosted in Marrakech. Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt are both attending the event.

Minister Mitchell will meet with the UK and other non-governmental organisations supporting the Moroccan response, including the Global Diversity Foundation (GDF), a Lead Partner on Defra’s Darwin Initiative challenge fund, as part of the bilateral visit program.

GDF, in partnership with the Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA), is continuing its collaboration with local authorities to promote sustainable agriculture in the region, particularly in the affected areas.

Their work aims to bring high-quality local agricultural products to market, conserve local biodiversity, and help communities recover from the earthquake.

UK’ international search team deployed

The Chancellor will visit Le Trou Au Mur, a British-run restaurant in Marrakech’s Medina, to meet with the owner and other British businesspeople who have contributed to the earthquake relief effort.

Furthermore, the UK’s International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) was deployed immediately after the earthquake to assist Moroccan authorities in their search and rescue efforts in remote areas of the Atlas Mountains, close to the epicentre.

Their services included searching for survivors and aiding vulnerable individuals in leaving buildings at risk of collapse. Additionally, the UK deployed the UK Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) to assess immediate and long-term needs to guide the response.