US President Joe Biden offers his condolences to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI following the devastating earthquake
US President Joe Biden has talked to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on phone, days after an earthquake rocked the country leaving behind a trail of destruction and thousands of death.
During this call, the U.S, President extended his personal condolences, as well as those of the American people and government, to His Majesty the King, and to the Moroccan people, following the painful earthquake that struck several provinces of the Kingdom.
On this occasion, President Biden commended the swift and efficient management, in accordance with the High Royal Instructions, of the consequences of this major natural disaster.
HE Mr. Biden also expressed the readiness of the United States of America to provide the necessary aid and support to the Kingdom based on the needs identified by Moroccan authorities and as part of the Kingdom’s multi-faceted action plan to deal with this tragedy.
Over 2000 lives were lost in the catastrophic 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which marked Morocco’s strongest on record, and grappled with widespread devastation in cities and villages.
The epicenter of the quake, located 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech, witnessed entire villages reduced to rubble, prompting a massive rescue and relief effort.
The armed forces have mobilized rescue teams to provide critical aid to affected areas, including clean drinking water, food, tents, and blankets.
Numerous countries, including Israel, France, Spain, Italy, and the United States, have extended offers of assistance.
Even neighboring Algeria, despite its recent diplomatic tensions with Morocco, has opened its airspace to humanitarian aid flights and provided resources for relief efforts.
The hardest-hit areas include Al-Haouz province, the epicenter of the earthquake, with 1,293 reported deaths, followed by the province of Taroudant with 452 casualties.
Amid the tragedy, stories of personal loss and heartbreak have emerged. Lahcen, a resident of the remote mountain village of Moulay Brahim, grieves the loss of his wife and four children, buried under the wreckage of their home. Nearby, residents gather to dig graves for the victims, bearing witness to the devastating aftermath of the earthquake.
The Red Cross has warned that the path to recovery will be long and challenging.
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