Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Commission has approved budget support assistance worth €177 million to the Kingdom of Morocco in support of the integrated program for the comprehensive reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken areas (2024-2028) developed by Morocco. Following the earthquake that struck on September 8, 2023.
According to a European statement issued in Brussels, in addition, as part of a joint effort between the European Union and the European Investment Bank, the latter pledged to lend one billion euros over 5 years (an amount guaranteed by the European Union) in order to assist Morocco in its post-earthquake reconstruction program. The loan - which is currently under evaluation - can be used to rebuild schools, roads and hospitals that include sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Working for comprehensive and sustainable reconstruction
EU assistance will be implemented in the form of budget support and will support the following specific objectives:
Providing support to individuals affected by the earthquake, in particular through the provision of renovated or reconstructed housing;
Assist in relaunching public services (health and education in particular) based on functional infrastructure;
Help revive and enhance economic activity and regional cohesion in earthquake-affected areas.
The assistance will seek to support social and environmental sustainability, reduce vulnerability and better equip communities and institutions to withstand future natural disasters by leveraging other structural reforms supported by EU programs in areas such as decentralization and access to public services: drinking water, health care, education and social care provision.
By virtue of its multidimensional phased approach, the program seeks to contribute at a later stage to comprehensive and sustainable social and economic development in Morocco.