The Moroccan Government Has Prepared A Assistance Program For The Construction Of Residents' Houses Affected By The Earthquake

Rescue teams are trying to find victims in the rubble of buildings as a result of the Moroccan earthquake. (Wikimedia Commons/alyaoum24)

JAKARTA - The government of Morocco announced an aid program to rebuild about 50,000 buildings damaged by the devastating earthquake that hit the country last week.

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale rocked Morocco, to be precise in Al Houz Province, which is located south of Old Town, Marrakesh last Friday, killing about 3,000 people and injuring more than 5,600 others.

Those who have lost their homes will be given temporary shelter in "building designed to withstand cold and bad weather, or in shelters equipped with all necessary facilities," the royal office said after a meeting chaired by King Mohamed VI.

Morocco's authorities have also ordered 30,000 dirhams of emergency assistance for each household affected by the disaster, according to the royal office.

Furthermore, it is said, this is the first stage of a program that includes around 50,000 houses completely destroyed or partly due to the earthquake.

The number of people who lost their homes to the earthquake, which destroyed entire villages in the mountainous region of Atlas Morocco, is not known for sure.

The royal office said 140,000 dirhams would be allocated for houses that were completely collapsed. Meanwhile, for houses that were partially destroyed, the government prepared 80,000 dirhams for repairs.

Separately, Morocco allowed rescue teams from the UAE, Spain, Britain and Qatar to come to provide assistance, but rejected offers from several other countries, including the US, France, and several Middle Eastern countries.