Morocco says earthquake affects 2.8 million people

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck on September 8 killed more than 2,900 people, most of them in the hard-to-reach mountainous areas. Minister Faouzi Lekjaa said at least 59,674 houses were damaged, of which 32% collapsed completely.

An exterior view of a military aid camp for people displaced by the deadly earthquake in Morocco. Photo: Reuters

The government will provide 2,500 dirhams ($244) monthly for a year in aid to earthquake-hit households, in addition to 140,000 dirhams in compensation for completely destroyed houses and 80,000 dirhams for partially damaged houses, he said.

Mr Lekjaa said the reconstruction must respect the original architectural character of the High Atlas Mountains.

Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 destroyed many villages with traditional mud-brick, stone and rough-timber houses typical of the Amazigh-speaking Atlas mountains.

Morocco plans to spend 120 billion dirhams on post-earthquake reconstruction, including infrastructure upgrades, over the next five years, the Royal Palace said on Wednesday.

The earthquake-hit areas are among the poorest in Morocco, with many remote villages lacking roads and essential public services.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/morocco-cho-biet-tran-dong-dat-anh-huong-den-28-trieu-nguoi-post265876.html