National Coordination of Al Haouz Earthquake Victims Resumes Protests
The National Coordination of Victims of the Al Haouz Earthquake is set to resume its protest actions in front of the Parliament in Rabat. In a recent statement, the organization highlighted that several hundred affected families are still awaiting resolutions to their cases nearly three years after the disaster struck. They specifically point out the exclusion of certain households from receiving compensation and aid intended for the reconstruction of damaged or destroyed homes.
According to the Coordination, these families have already undertaken various administrative and legal steps while amplifying their advocacy efforts, yet many have been unable to regularize their situations. As part of their mobilization, the Coordination plans to publicly present testimonies from families who claim to have been sidelined from the aid provisions despite residing in the villages and areas impacted by the earthquake. They also mention the plight of individuals working in urban areas to support families that remained in rural zones. The Coordination argues that this common rural circumstance should not be a reason for denying assistance to the victims.
In light of these challenges, the Coordination is calling for the expansion of compensation and aid to include all families they deem eligible, along with the swift resolution of pending cases. They are also demanding a "transparent and independent" investigation into the management shortcomings they allege have occurred in the handling of the Al Haouz earthquake dossier. Additionally, they urge the implementation of measures outlined in the royal cabinet statement dated September 14, 2023.
Ultimately, the Coordination is committed to keeping the focus on the social and humanitarian aspects of the issue, while firmly rejecting any political or electoral exploitation of the victims' situation.
As reported by laquotidienne.ma.
