In association with the Occitanie Region and the Community of Corsica, the Southern Region is allocating one million euros in support of the earthquake victims and for the reconstruction of the country.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7! That is what struck Morocco during the night of Friday, September 8 to Saturday, September 9. The earthquake was felt in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Essaouira, but its epicenter was in Al-Haouz, southwest of the city of Marrakech. According to the Moroccan Ministry, “The provisional death toll from the earthquake is 1,037 people, in the provinces and communes of Al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. 1,204 people were injured and hospitalized.”
In response to the tragedy, a wave of international solidarity (particularly in France) emerged. From Emmanuel Macron to Éric Ciotti, tributes poured in: “My thoughts are with the Moroccan people in this ordeal. France must stand by Morocco in these terrible moments. [E. Ciotti]”. Christian Estrosi also did not fail to express his full consideration regarding the events:
After the tributes, the promise of financial and material aid
Carole DELGA, President of the Occitanie Region, Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, Deputy President of Régions de France, and Gilles SIMEONI, President of the Executive Council, announced that an exceptional aid of one million euros will be immediately deployed, based on the needs expressed by Morocco: “In the short term, we are available to work together for emergency humanitarian aid. Similarly, with the entire associative community, we intend to focus support on health services in Morocco, to help the injured and those affected. This financial commitment will address the forthcoming reconstruction efforts, both urban and agricultural. Our three regions are Mediterranean by essence and vocation! Today, solidarity with Morocco must be expressed very concretely.”
“On behalf of the Department of Alpes-Maritimes, I express my total solidarity and compassion with the Moroccan people.”
Charles Ange Ginésy
From the very first hours, the President of the Departmental Council of Alpes-Maritimes expressed the Department’s solidarity through the proposal of a 50,000 € aid, which he will submit during the next Plenary Assembly on October 6, 2023. Later in the afternoon, Charles Ange Ginésy went to Nice airport alongside Eric Ciotti for the humanitarian mission departure of Patrick Villardry and his team of search and rescue dogs to Morocco.
