Quake-hit Morocco's King Mohammed VI thanks Spain, UK, UAE for humanitarian aid

Quake-hit Morocco's King Mohammed VI has thanked the countries for expressing solidarity and sending humanitarian help to Morocco, and for conducting foreign crewed search and rescue operations. In a post published by state TV, King Mohammed VI expressed gratitude to Spain, Qatar, the UK and the UAE in particular for sending military planes with rescuers as the powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains southeast of Marrakech.

Morocco has been formally requesting aid from ally nations, who, in turn, have coordinated the relief efforts. The earthquake, worst in over 25 years in Morocco, was recorded at a depth of 18.5 km which made it severely destructive. Another 3.9-magnitude aftershock also rattled Moroccans this morning, according to the US Geological Survey.

Countries worldwide responded to the calamity with grief and shock as over 2,122 people died, and 2,421 were injured in Morocco. Dozens of Nonprofit groups (NGOs) scrambled to help relieve the impact and help in finding the survivors as well as supplying food, water and basic amenities in the worst affected areas.

“The Moroccan authorities have carefully assessed the needs on the ground, bearing in mind that a lack of coordination in such cases would be counterproductive,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Celebrity Spanish-American chef, José Andrés, in a statement,  announced that he sent food trucks to feed people from his venture--the World Central Kitchen--that was currently setting up shops in the hardest hit remote areas. Given the mountainous terrain of Morocco, food will have to be delivered in far areas on foot. The International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has unlodged an estimated $1 million from its emergency disaster fund to support the Moroccan Red Crescent's relief efforts on the ground. 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, Hossam Elsharkawi, said that Morocco has only "seven days to get people out from under the rubbles." 

"It's about providing urgent medical assistance. This is a race against time. We have a window of seven days to get people out from under the rubbles. There are a lot of people that our homeless now," he stressed. 

People head to bury a man dead after a powerful earthquake struck Morocco. Credit: AP

In an official statement on September 10, Sunday, the US State Department said that a small number of its citizens were reported injured in the earthquake. Biden administration is yet to establish the Americans’ deaths. The Embassy of India in Morocco, meanwhile, has taken stock of the situation on an urgent basis and said that no Indian nationals have been affected. The Embassy of India in Rabat, which is in contact with the local Moroccan authorities, urged all Indian citizens in Morocco to remain calm and follow guidelines provided by local authorities.

Turkish President Erdogan, whose country experienced similar disaster, offered help on sidelines of G20 forum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Syrian border on February 6, 2023, said during a press conference here in New Delhi, that he is more than willing to help Moroccans. He extended condolences to the people of Morocco on the sidelines as he attended the crucial G20 Summit in India. Erdogan in New Delhi said that more than six months ago, his country experienced a similar disaster, as he expressed solidarity with the Moroccans. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Turkey’s AFAD announced that in collaboration with other NGOs, it is sending nearly 265 personnel to Morocco’s Marrakech region.

India's Embassy in Morocco affirmed that New Delhi "stands ready to extend assistance to Morocco in this difficult time." At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the deceased and offered hope and solidarity to survivors during his opening statement.  "Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time," the Prime Minister wrote in a post on social media. 

Security forces take part in rescue operation. Credit: AP

Spain's defence ministry announced in a statement that a military plane took off Sunday morning from a base in the northeastern city of Zaragoza with 56 rescuers and four search dogs bound for Marrakesh. The rescue team belongs to Spain's Military Emergencies Unit (UME). The mission is to "help in the search and rescue of survivors of the devastating earthquake suffered in our neighbouring country". UK government announced that it is sending 60 search-and-rescue teams to Morocco as well as the equipment for drilling and medical teams, according to Britain's foreign ministry statement. King Charles issued a statement of condolence, saying that he is "deeply shocked to hear reports of the devastating loss of life."

"We both have countless found and special memories of our visits to your country and I cannot describe to you the depths of our sadness and sorrow at the suffering of all those affected by this appalling tragedy," UK's King Charles' statement said.

Homes in Morocco have been reduced to rubble. Credit: AP

UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum announced that he has ordered the Dubai Police's rescue teams to offer aid to Morocco. The Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Authority directed the ERC to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the Moroccans impacted by the devastating earthquake. ERC began supplying sizable quantities of essential supplies, including  tents, blankets, food, medical stuff and hygiene kits. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced sending urgent aid and rescue crew to Morocco, according to an official statement. 

Al Thani "directed the dispatch of rescue teams and urgent medical aid to the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco in order to support relief efforts as a result of the earthquake that struck several Moroccan cities and regions," the Qatari Amiri Diwan said in a statement.