The earthquake, which killed several thousand people in Morocco on the night of Friday 8 to Saturday 9 September, has sparked an outpouring of solidarity around the world, with several countries and organizations offering their help to Rabat.

" READ ALSO In pictures: considerable damage in Morocco after a violent earthquake

Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "upset after the terrible earthquake". "The France stands ready to help with first aid," he added on X (ex-Twitter) during his flight to the G20 which takes place this weekend in New Delhi.

And on Saturday evening, the leaders of the 27 member countries of the European Union co-signed a letter to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, saying they were "fully in solidarity" and "ready to help in any way that you (the king, editor's note) deem useful".

The head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, regretted the "tragic balance sheet of the earthquake" and reaffirmed Italy's "willingness to support Morocco in this emergency situation".

"All my solidarity and support to the people of Morocco after this terrible earthquake," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X, while King Felipe VI said he was "devastated". Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that "Spain has proposed to Morocco (...) both rescue teams (...) but also its help for reconstruction".

The United Kingdom stands "ready to help" Morocco "in any way possible", assured British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Switzerland offered to provide temporary shelter, water treatment and distribution equipment, sanitation facilities and hygiene kits.

"In Russia, we share the sorrow and mourning of the friendly Moroccan people," Russian President Vladimir Putin said, offering his "sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "in solidarity with Morocco in this tragic ordeal".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to the "brotherly" Moroccan people and offered "all forms of support to heal the wounds" of Morocco. Turkey was plunged into mourning in February by a powerful earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people and displaced millions in the south-east of the country.

North Africa

Algeria, which broke diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021 amid the crisis between the two countries, offered "its sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people for the victims of the earthquake," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Algiers.

Middle East

Morocco, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, received an offer of assistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who "gave instructions to all government bodies and forces to provide all necessary assistance to the Moroccan people, including preparations for sending an aid team to the region," according to a statement from his office. "The people of Israel stand with their friends... in these difficult times," he continues.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Chia al-Sudani also said he was "ready to provide any form of assistance" while Jordanian King Abdullah II ordered his government "to provide all necessary assistance to Morocco".

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed sent their "condolences" to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. Egypt also expressed its solidarity.

Qatar said a rescue team would leave Doha on Saturday night.

Sub-Saharan Africa

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you," Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan wrote on X. "Kenya stands with the Moroccan people," his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto posted on the social network.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara also offered his "most saddened condolences" to the "brotherly people of Morocco" on X.

"We are deeply saddened by the shocking loss of life," South African Vice President Paul Mashatile said on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was visiting the G20.

"All our thoughts are with the Moroccan people in these difficult times that this brotherly country is going through," wrote Niger's defense minister, General Salifou Mody, appointed by the regime that emerged from the July 26 coup.

United States

US President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened by the lives lost and the devastation caused" by the earthquake, in a statement released from New Delhi, where he is attending the G20 summit. The United States is working to "ensure that U.S. citizens in Morocco are safe" and "stands ready to provide any necessary assistance to the Moroccan people," the US president said.

Asia

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was "shocked" and "expressed (his) deep sadness for the victims and sincere condolences to the families," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

For his part, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "extremely saddened by the loss of life".

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he was "deeply shocked" in his condolence message to Morocco's king.

Organizations

The International Red Cross warned of the importance of Morocco's future needs, evoking "24 to 48 critical hours" and needs for "months or even years".

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on X that he was "heartbroken". "My thoughts and prayers are with the Moroccans (...). We are ready to meet immediate health needs," he wrote.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said he had "learned with great pain of the tragic consequences of the earthquake" while the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), based in Saudi Arabia, said it was praying for "a speedy recovery for the injured".

The World Bank said it was "wholeheartedly with the Moroccan people" and offered its "full support to the country".

Vatican

Pope Francis expressed "his deep solidarity with those who are struck in their flesh and heart by this tragedy."

đź“ž Crisis units reachable from Morocco and France

The France embassy in Morocco and the crisis and support center of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris have opened crisis units to respond to requests for information or help from French nationals.

In Morocco: +212 537689900
In France: 01 43 17 51 00

With AFP

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