Morocco says earthquake affects 2.8 million people

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

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 compensation of 140,000 dirhams 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-hewn wooden houses typical of the Amazigh-speaking Atlas mountains.

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

The earthquake-hit areas are among Morocco's poorest, with many remote villages lacking roads and basic 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