Al Haouz Earthquake: Over 40,000 Reconstruction Projects Underway for Damaged Homes
In a remarkable stride toward rebuilding the lives of those affected by the devastating Al Haouz earthquake, the Moroccan government has revealed that an astonishing 40,200 construction projects have been initiated as of the end of May 2024. This ambitious undertaking aims to reconstruct the homes that were damaged during the seismic event, providing hope and solace to the affected communities.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and Urban Policy, disclosed these figures during a question and answer session in the House of Representatives in Rabat. Responding to a query from the Istiqlalian Group for Unity and Egalitarianism regarding the implementation of the reconstruction program for damaged houses in the Al Haouz region, El Mansouri provided insight into the remarkable progress made thus far.
The minister highlighted that among the 40,200 construction projects launched, a staggering 18,200 were initiated within the last month alone, a testament to the dynamic pace of this operation. To facilitate and expedite the process of obtaining building permits, the government has streamlined procedures through the establishment of a one-stop shop in 169 affected municipalities. Additionally, 60 counters have been set up, with six in Marrakech, seven in the Chichaoua province, twelve in the Al Haouz province, eighteen in the Taroudant province, eleven in the Ouarzazate province, and six in the Azilal province.
El Mansouri revealed that the number of approved applications has reached an impressive 53,000, while the number of issued permits stands at 51,000, showcasing the government's commitment to efficient and timely processing.
Furthermore, the minister elaborated on the measures and initiatives undertaken by her ministry, in line with the Royal Instructions, to rehabilitate the areas impacted by the earthquake. These efforts include participating in the census of affected populations alongside specialized services through technical committees, as well as preparing a set of guidelines outlining the technical and architectural standards to be adhered to, ensuring the safety of constructions and preserving the architectural and urban specificities of each affected area.
El Mansouri affirmed that her ministry has forged framework agreements with professionals in the sector to provide pro bono assistance to beneficiaries of the reconstruction operation. This support encompasses the issuance of required technical documents for building permit applications, as well as technical supervision throughout the construction process.
Responding to another question from the National Rally of Independents group concerning construction procedures in rural areas, the minister stated that prior to the publication of a joint circular with the Ministry of Interior on simplifying the building permit issuance process, 975 villages spanning 16,000 hectares and housing 550,000 people had been identified.
Following the publication of the circular, within a year, 924 villages covering 14,168 hectares and housing 460,000 people were identified. Additionally, 1,072 villages spanning 20,000 hectares and housing 562,000 people are currently in the reconstruction phase.
The ministry has also reactivated the exemptions commission, with 785 committees in place by the end of March 2024. Furthermore, it has lifted the obligation for rural populations to present unnecessary administrative documents and established urban planning and technical assistance through 11 conventions for delimited village perimeters.
Regarding the management of permit applications, El Mansouri noted that before the joint circular, 23,800 applications were processed annually, with 14,000 approvals granted. However, after the circular's publication, between April 2023 and April 2024, 38,128 permit applications were examined, and 20,384 were approved, with 82% of approved applications pertaining to land plots smaller than 1,000 square meters.
This comprehensive approach, combining streamlined procedures, dedicated resources, and collaboration with professionals, underscores the Moroccan government's unwavering commitment to supporting the affected communities and rebuilding their homes in the aftermath of the Al Haouz earthquake. As the reconstruction efforts continue to gain momentum, the resilience of the people and the determination of the authorities are paving the way for a brighter future, where the scars of this tragic event will be healed, and the foundations for a safer and more resilient tomorrow will be laid.