Snowfall Threatens Recovery Efforts in Moroccan Provinces Amid Earthquake Aftermath

Morocco is set to experience snowfall in several provinces, impacting Al Haouz, which is still recovering from a devastating earthquake. The General Directorate of Meteorology forecasts significant snow accumulation, adding strain to residents already facing hardships. The government has allocated substantial aid for reconstruction efforts, with many families receiving assistance to rebuild their homes.

A new orange level weather alert issued by Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology indicates that several provinces, including Al Haouz, will experience snowfall of 5 to 15 centimeters at elevations above 1,800 meters on Monday and Tuesday. Provinces such as Azilal, Beni Mellal, Midelt, Tinghir, Ouarzazate, and Al Haouz are expected to receive 10 to 15 centimeters of snow, while Ifrane, Boulemane, Taroudant, and Chichaoua will see 5 to 10 centimeters.

The anticipated snowfall adds to the existing challenges faced by the residents of Al Haouz, particularly following the destructive earthquake in September 2023. Viral videos have surfaced online depicting the severe winter conditions, illustrating how heavy snowfall has impacted temporary shelters in the region, which is still under reconstruction following the quake that caused significant loss of life and property.

In light of the devastating earthquake, which resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and considerable injuries to around 5,000 individuals, the Moroccan government has mobilized a fund supported by both citizens and corporations to assist in the recovery efforts. As of January of last year, 56,000 families affected by the Al Haouz earthquake have received financial aid, with a funding total of approximately MAD 1.4 billion allocated for housing rehabilitation.

Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch reported that over 53,000 construction permits have been granted to eligible families, indicating a high participation rate among the affected population in the provinces of Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Marrakech, Taroudant, Azilal, and Ouarzazate, with a completion rate of 95% for the recovery initiatives.

The impending snowfall poses additional challenges for many Moroccan provinces, particularly Al Haouz, still recovering from the September earthquake. With substantial financial aid provided to affected families and ongoing reconstruction efforts making significant progress, the government remains committed to alleviating the hardships faced by the citizens. As winter weather sets in, both the weather alert and resilience of the community will play critical roles in the coming days.

Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com