King puts quake-orphans under state care
Morocco, Local, 3/2/2004

Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco has granted the status of "Orphans in State Care" to all children who lost their parents in last Tuesday's earthquake in Al Hoceima province, an initiative deemed "unique" by adviser to the King, Zoulikha Nasri.

Royal Palace spokesman Hassan Aourid said that the monarch gave his "high instructions" to grant those orphans this status that will allow them to benefit from the financial and moral support from the state and from education, health care as well as other benefits until they reach their adulthood.

Zoulikha Nasri who is also member of the administrative board of the Mohammed V Solidarity Foundation, told MAP on Sunday that the royal initiative "sheds light on the methodology that will be pursued for the social restructuring of this region."

She said the status of Orphans in State Care will help preserve the dignity of these children.

This initiative, she added, constitutes "the starting point of the social policy and the measures to be taken" in the quake-stricken area of Al Hoceima where aftershocks continue to be felt after last Tuesday's earthquake of a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale killing 572 people and injuring 427.

King Mohammed VI who arrived in Al Hoceima on Saturday where he pitched a camp, to closely follow the situation there, continues to tour the area with visits to hospitals and villages where he spoke to injured people and to inhabitants, a visit that was acclaimed by the population.

Meanwhile, while aid continues to pour in the region with more than 150 national and international planes having landed at Al Hoceima and neighboring Nador airports, the Government has announced the creation of a special body to manage the aftermath of this quake and its impact on the region.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Moroccan minister of communication and the government's spokesman Nabil Abdallah who said, the decision was made "upon the high instructions of HM King Mohammed VI."

This special commission will have as a task to "guarantee the supply of foodstuff, blankets and tents to the inhabitants."

It will inform the public opinion on the situation there, see to the respect of public order, and coordinate relations with non governmental organizations that will be involved in the different actions.

Previous Stories:
  Authorities call quake-stricken population to facilitate supplies, aid continuee to pour in the region   (3/1/2004)
  Spanish cabinet adopts Moroccan driving licenses homologation   (2/28/2004)
  Morocco opens account at foreign banks to collect funds for quake victims   (2/28/2004)

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