On 11 and 12 October, a VNG International visit took place to the affected areas by the earthquake in Morocco, at the city of Marrakech and ElHaouze region, in the framework of the RVO economic working visit  in Morocco (7-13 October).

Support to the Moroccan sister association

The Mayor of Rotterdam and vice-Mayor of Amsterdam, together with a delegation from VNG lnternational, communicated its engagement for the recovery of areas affected by the earthquake. The Mayor of Rotterdam delivered a letter of engagement signed by VNG president Mrs. Sharon Dijksma to the president of the Moroccan association of municipalities (AMPCC), the Mayor of Tangiers, on behalf of Dutch municipalities active in the VNG Fund for Relief, Recovery and Peacebuilding, aiming at the reconstruction of areas affected by the earthquake in Morocco. As a close partner of Morocco and Moroccan cities, VNG international maintains a long-standing cooperation with local Moroccan authorities. In the letter we reiterated our most sincere condolences for the loss of human lives and expressed our commitment to continuing our collaboration, based on our mutual respect.

3.7 million Euro for recovery

Following expressions of solidarity a large number of Dutch municipalities decided to make available funds for recovery through the VNG Fund. To date, 37 Dutch municipalities have already contributed to this fund which has currently reached the amount of 3.7 Million Euros.

Contributions will be directed towards a recovery project for the affected areas and which capitalizes on our experience in the field of sustainable and effective reconstruction, in line with the needs of Moroccan national, regional and local authorities on the ground.

Assessing needs

Currently, in collaboration with AMPCC, we are assessing the needs faced by Moroccan municipalities in the affected areas for recovery.

Through the field visits to the affected areas we could define potential areas of intervention where could be the added value of our contribution: the rehabilitation of a part of the old medina of Marrakech was subject of discussions, and in the vulnerable villages around Marrakech where the damages were tremendous, buildings waste management and recycling building waste was underlined, water management, proximity basic services and female autonomisation as a lot of women lost their small business income.

Furthermore, in order to be able to contribute to the emergency phase, we are in contact with the Red Cross to explore possibilities for cooperation.

Involvement of Dutch municipalities

With group of highly qualified experts from Morocco, VNG International is working on the project document in consultation with the Moroccan partners. A debriefing session to the Dutch municipalities will take place the 24th of October. For more information, please contact Neila.Akrimi@vng.nl