International aid continue to rush to Morocco, as quake-stricken populations spent 2nd night out
Morocco, Local, 2/26/2004

Populations of the northeastern region of Al-Hoceima, caught in their sleep on Tuesday (2:30 am GMT and local time) by a powerful 6 magnitude quake, spent their night in the open or inside tents, as planeloads of international aid continue to land in the major city's airport.

Moroccan interior minister, Al Mustapha Sahel, on Wednesday night put the toll at 571 dead people and 300 injured, but said the figure is still a provisional one. He also promised a program to re-build the houses that were destroyed and that owners of cracked lodgings will be given free expertise.

Moroccan authorities said they were erecting camps to accommodate populations in the city of Al-Hoceima and in the neighboring villages and hamlets.

Meanwhile, several aftershocks continued to rock the mountainous area, with one that measured 4.5 on Wednesday, killing one person in the locality of Imzouren (16 km south of Al-Hoceima) and causing the collapse of two houses.

A C-130 aircraft dispatched by the Mohammed V solidarity foundation landed this morning in Al Hoceima, carrying 540 mattresses, a kitchen vehicle and big tents.

International aid continues to pour into the region while Moroccans start to organize and send most needed foodstuff, medicine, blankets and other items to the victims.

In the airport of Al-Hoceima, aircrafts loaded with rescue teams, sniffer dogs, equipment, medicine dispatched by countries from all the over the world continue to land.

From Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates' red crescent has donated the quake victims US$ 10 million and a women's delegation from the UAE red crescent will be traveling to the region to assess damages and the needs of women and children.

On Wednesday, a second Algerian aircraft loaded with tents, blankets and food landed in the airport as several other planes are expected this Thursday from the neighbor country.

Kuwait, whose embassy in Rabat postponed celebrations of the national day in solidarity with the victims, also announced it will be sending an emergency humanitarian assistance to the victims, while two Egyptian military aircrafts took off this Thursday with the first batch of humanitarian aid consisting of 33 tons of medicine, blankets and tents.

Spain announced this Thursday it is earmarking Morocco EURO 20 million, including 10 million in Moroccan debt-swap and 10 million others to finance the purchase of Spanish goods and services and to re-build houses.

The USA has sent disaster and medical kits that can be used to treat 30,000 people for up to a month while the Utah National Guards are expected to deliver additional disaster relief supplies later this week.

In Geneva, the United Nations said it was sending a six-member disaster and coordination assessment team and was organizing a shipment of relief supplies, while the European Commission unblocked 500,000 euros (625,000 dollars) in emergency donations. Aid money was also offered by individual EU states, Japan and the United States.

Japan has sent a 23-strong team of aid officials and France sent sniffer dogs and was preparing two more planeloads of aid for departure on Thursday.

Spain sent three truckloads as well as two Hercules cargo planes carrying medicines and other aid.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed for 1.8 million Euros to provide tents, blankets, mattresses, cooking facilities and food.

The direst needs for the moment are shelter and medical assistance to survivors.

King Mohammed VI instructed the Government on Wednesday to speed up rescue operations and assistance and to endow the staff on site with all the needed means and equipment in order to give populations a shelter and take care of hygiene in the quake-stricken regions.

A bank account (101) was opened at Morocco's Central Bank "Bank Al Maghrib" for people who wish to donate money to help the victims.

Previous Stories:
  Scenes of desolation in quake-hit Al Hoceima region   (2/25/2004)
  Quake Death Climbs to 226, 120 wounded   (2/24/2004)
  Police probe in case of former governor, mayor unveiled breaches, Minister   (2/23/2004)

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