Morocco announced on Sunday that four countries – Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – had accepted aid “at this stage” following the strong earthquake. This information was provided by the Moroccan Interior Ministry, which clarified in a statement that Rabat had responded positively “at this stage” to the offers of these four countries to “send search and rescue teams”.
Portugal, USA, France or UN. This clarification comes at a time when many countries and organizations have declared their readiness and readiness to provide assistance.
The interior ministry said Moroccan authorities had carried out “a precise assessment” of the needs on the ground, taking into account that “the lack of coordination in these cases could have counterproductive consequences”. At present, the North African country’s authorities have accepted assistance from Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, which “proposed search and rescue teams”, and stressed that these teams were already in place. Arrived in the country and contacted their Moroccan counterparts.
“With the progress of intervention operations, as the assessment of possible needs evolves, this will lead to seeking offers of support proposed by other allies, according to the needs of each phase,” the Spanish news agency quoted. EFE. The executive added, “He appreciates all the solidarity efforts coming from different parts of the world and says he respects these countries”.
Spain on Sunday morning sent a first aid team of 56 soldiers from the Moroccan army and four soldiers from the army’s Military Emergency Unit (UME). Other countries, such as Portugal, France or the United States, also offered their help, but were waiting for instructions from the Moroccan authorities.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa insisted on Sunday that the country’s civil defense and forensic teams were on standby and that the government was continuing to monitor the situation of the Portuguese in Morocco. On Saturday, Portugal took a step that allowed around 140 Portuguese nationals who wanted to return.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced this Sunday that Washington had contacted the Moroccan government and French President Emmanuel Macron, who assured them that France was ready for a “second” round of aid requested by Moroccan officials. The Argentine government formally provided humanitarian assistance, immediately deploying a 28-component team specializing in search and rescue, as well as making available three tons of supplies and equipment.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will provide 1.05 million euros (one million Swiss francs) to aid earthquake response efforts in Morocco.
