11 Oct 2023 at 23:29
The Netherlands is investing 50 million euros in the reconstruction of the area in Morocco that was hit by a major earthquake. That money goes to projects that Morocco says it needs.
This was announced by outgoing Minister Liesje Schreinemacher of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation during a visit to the Moroccan village of Asni. The village is located near the epicenter of the earthquake that occurred on September 8.
Schreinemacher calls the 50 million euros a “significant amount”. The money goes to projects that the Moroccan government says are needed. “There will be a kind of menu list,” Schreinemacher explains. That list includes all kinds of projects, such as the construction of hospitals and residential homes.
The minister himself would like to use the money for water-related projects. According to her, the intention is that Dutch companies in particular will get started with the aid.
She emphasizes that the Netherlands has companies that have a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to water management. This also concerns, for example, efficient use of water in horticulture, something that can be very important for the region in Morocco.
About three thousand people were killed in the September earthquake. Immediately after the disaster, the Netherlands already released 5 million euros for emergency aid from the Red Cross.
Now Schreinemacher is taking money from a pot intended for international aid for public infrastructure. The amount is partly a loan and partly a gift.
Two women and a child search for their belongings at the site where their house collapsed. Photo: Getty Images
The main priority is preparation for winter
Schreinemacher is in Morocco for an annual meeting of the World Bank and a trade mission. “We changed the program a bit, which also gave me the opportunity to go to this earthquake area,” she says.
She visited, among other things, a school that is temporarily housed in emergency buildings. This way, children from Asni can still go to school. Schreinemacher was also given a tour of a tent camp where affected people temporarily reside.
Red Cross aid workers told her that a lot still needs to be done in the affected area. At this time the main priority is preparing for winter.
For example, there should be better tents that provide protection against the cold in the mountainous area. There should also be more showers. Rebuilding could take a long time. The minister called her visit “very impressive”.
Get notifications of new posts Stay informed with notifications
Beeld: Getty Images
Read more about:
MoroccoInteriorEarthquake Morocco
2023-10-11 21:29:24
#Netherlands #investing #million #euros #reconstruction #Morocco #earthquake #Domestic
