The EU is releasing initial funding of €1 million in humanitarian aid to help people most affected by the earthquake that struck Morocco, the European Commission announced on Monday.
The funding aims to support the relief efforts deployed by humanitarian partners in the country. The EU's Copernicus satellite system has also been activated to provide emergency mapping services.
In a joint statement on Saturday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other leaders expressed their full solidarity with the Moroccan authorities and people, and offered their condolences to the families of the victims. They also expressed their desire to support Morocco in the best possible way.
As already reported, Morocco has so far only accepted aid from four countries – the UK, Spain, Qatar and the UAE – and has said it would accept help from others as needs developed. Emergency workers from outside the country have now joined the rescue effort. Numerous other countries have also already offered their help but are still waiting for a response from the Moroccan authorities.
The EU stands ready to provide further assistance to Morocco, a Commission spokesperson told The Brussels Times, but for moment the Commission has not received a request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. “If we’ll receive a request, we’ll do our utmost to help Morocco to face this natural disaster.”
The Brussels Times
