§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the assistance his Department has offered to the Moroccan Government for the victims of the 24 February earthquake in the Rif region. [180133]
§ Hilary BennThe earthquake that affected the Al-Hoceima region of Morocco on 24 February 2004 measured 6.5 degrees on the Richter scale. It claimed over 600 lives and injured nearly 1,000.
UK search and rescue teams were put on immediate stand-by but in the event were not required as the Moroccan civil authorities and Red Crescent movement, supported by some international teams, coped adequately with that phase of the relief effort. Following discussion with the Moroccan Government about priority needs, DFID sent an aircraft with 402 winterised family tents to the earthquake area. The tents were distributed to earthquake victims by the Moroccan Protection Civile, supported by two DFID staff. The cost of the relief flight and tents was approximately £155,000. The European Commission also responded to the relief effort committing approximately £650,000 of support. Including the UK share of this support, the overall UK response was around £280,000.
On 24 May 2004, the Moroccan Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, announced that the Moroccan Government have earmarked a £165 million budget to rehabilitate and develop the quake-hit north-eastern region.