The Head of Government Chairs the 13th Meeting of the Interministerial Commission on the Deployment of the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Program for Areas Affected by the Al Haouz Earthquake

The Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, presided over the 13th meeting of the Interministerial Commission in charge of the reconstruction and general rehabilitation program for the areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake. The meeting was held on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Rabat, and highlighted the positive pace of the program's implementation.
On this occasion, the Head of Government emphasized that the government has established a positive dynamic grounded in mobilization and diligence to ensure the resettlement of families under the best possible conditions, in accordance with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He noted that the affected provinces have returned to a state of normalcy thanks to the Royal High Patronage and the government's efforts to effectively implement the reconstruction and rehabilitation program.
In line with the Royal Instructions, the operation to distribute emergency aid, set at 2,500 dirhams per family for households whose homes were partially or completely destroyed, has been extended for an additional five months. The total amount disbursed since the program's launch has reached 2 billion dirhams.
The commission reported that, as of the end of November, local authorities had issued 57,072 reconstruction permits. Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is progressing, with work underway or completed for 35,214 housing units, representing an increase of 5,000 units over the past two months.
Furthermore, the commission confirmed that 57,786 families have received the first installment of 20,000 dirhams for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of their homes, whether fully or partially destroyed. Additionally, 35,983 families have received the second installment, 25,754 families the third installment, and 12,664 families the fourth and final installment. The total financial aid provided to date amounts to more than 2.7 billion dirhams.
Regarding housing in hard-to-access areas, the commission noted ongoing fieldwork for 4,016 homes. Approximately 750 homes located in 65 villages require large-scale reconstruction or rehabilitation efforts or relocation.
After the completion of most sector-specific projects in recent months, it was clarified during the meeting that the High Atlas Development Agency, established to implement the reconstruction and general rehabilitation program for the regions affected by the Al Haouz earthquake, will oversee and execute projects in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, housing, education, health, culture, tourism, and handicrafts. An action plan for the agency to carry out this work was approved by the Interministerial Commission.