FCDO Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, has
announced up to £1.45 million to support Moroccan–led recovery
following the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck
the Marrakech–Safi region on 8 September.
The new funding will help address both immediate needs and
support longer-term development in the communities most affected,
in line with Morocco’s five-year recovery plan.
In addition to support to health services and shelter, this will
expand collaboration with farmers and cooperatives to bring high
quality local agricultural products to market, whilst protecting
local biodiversity.
, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
said:
Seeing first-hand how the Moroccan people have got back on their
feet following the devastating earthquake last month, I’m full of
admiration for their strength and resilience.
The UK is always willing to help our friends in need and the
additional £1.45million announced today will help support
Moroccans as they rebuild their lives.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle
East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the
Commonwealth said:
The UK is committed to supporting Morocco following the
devastating earthquake last month and this new funding will help
the Moroccan–led recovery.
The UK-Morocco partnership is thriving and we stand ready to
provide further support.
Today’s announcement comes in the week that Marrakech hosts the
Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary
Fund, with Minister for Development and Africa, and Chancellor of the
Exchequer both attending.
As part of his bilateral visit programme today, Minister Mitchell
will meet UK and other NGOs supporting the Moroccan response
including representatives from Global Diversity Foundation (GDF),
a Lead Partner on Defra’s Darwin Initiative challenge fund.
GDF, in partnership with Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods
Association (MBLA), were already working in coordination with
local authorities to support sustainable agriculture in the
region. They will continue and expand this longstanding
partnership, working with farmers and cooperatives in the
affected areas to bring high quality local agricultural products
to market, whilst conserving local biodiversity and enabling
communities recover from the earthquake.
The Chancellor will visit Le Trou Au Mur, a British-run
restaurant in Marrakech’s Medina, to meet with the owner and
other British business people who have contributed to the
earthquake relief effort.
The UK’s International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) were
deployed immediately after the earthquake last month and
supported the Moroccan’s authorities’ search and rescue efforts
in remote areas of the Atlas Mountains, near the epicentre of the
earthquake. The team provided a range of services, from searching
for survivors among the rubble to helping vulnerable people to
leave buildings at risk of collapse.
In addition to the ISAR team, the UK deployed the UK Emergency
Medical Team (UK EMT) which assessed immediate and longer term
needs to inform the response.
