Moroccan Budget Minister Faouzi Lekjaa revealed the government's estimates of the damage caused by the Haouz earthquake, saying that the number of affected people is about 2.8 million, announcing an urgent financial aid program for each family.
According to Lekjaa told the Moroccan parliament on Friday, the number of roundabouts (villages) damaged reached 2930,<> in the High Atlas Mountains, accounting for a third of the roundabouts in the region.
The minister explained that at least 59,674 houses were damaged by the earthquake, and that 32% of these houses completely collapsed, noting that the government will provide 2500,244 dirhams ($ <>) per month to each family affected by the earthquake, starting from September for one year.
The assistance also includes 140,80 dirhams to compensate families whose homes have completely collapsed and <>,<> dirhams for families whose homes have been partially damaged.
The Moroccan minister stated that reconstruction must take into account the architectural specificities of the High Atlas Mountains.
Family Support Budget
He said that the budget allocated for financial support to the afflicted families amounts to about 8 billion dirhams and includes the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged housing.
The Moroccan Royal Court announced on Wednesday that the projected budget for the "reconstruction and general rehabilitation of areas affected by the Haouz earthquake" program is estimated at 120 billion dirhams (about 11.7 billion dollars) over 5 years.
The 6.8-magnitude quake struck on Sept. 2900 and killed more than <>,<> people, mostly in rugged mountainous terrain.
Two weeks after the disaster, the process of counting the damaged houses continues.
Specialized committees in Chichaoua province are counting buildings in more than 750 towns with about 50,<> people. This process is expected to last about two weeks.
Student Assistance Plan
Meanwhile, Morocco's Ministry of Higher Education said it had adopted a plan to help thousands of students affected by the Hawz earthquake that includes exceptional measures.
The ministry called on the presidents of Moroccan universities in the affected areas to adhere to all forms of flexibility available to register students and to provide facilities for the required documents, due to the loss of many official documents under the rubble of houses.
The plan included giving precedence to university scholarships for students from earthquake-affected areas, as well as providing accommodation and catering services.