Construction Fraud Targets Earthquake Survivors in Morocco's Al Haouz Region
Multiple contractors have defrauded 27 families who received government reconstruction aid following the devastating September 2023 earthquake in Morocco's Al Haouz region, according to the Ministry of Interior.
The primary culprit, based in Bouzouk Ait Mellou village, defrauded 18 families in Taghzout and Tinmel villages by abandoning construction projects and violating technical standards. After authorities intervened, the contractor was arrested by the Royal Gendarmerie in Ait Melloul, Agadir.
Two additional contractors have committed similar violations. One contractor from Tassa Ouirgane village is currently wanted by authorities, while another from Beni Mellal defrauded nine families across three villages by breaching construction contracts.
Regional authorities have implemented strict measures against corruption, including dismissing a local authority aid who extorted earthquake victims by promising to influence aid allocation decisions.
The government has allocated MAD 140,000 ($14,000) per affected family for home reconstruction following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives and caused extensive infrastructure damage across central Morocco.
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