US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday said her government, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank would support Morocco's earthquake rebuilding efforts, praising the country's resilience in hosting the institutions' annual meetings this week.
“We stand ready to help in any way that is helpful as you go about the rebuilding process,” Ms Yellen told reporters in Marrakesh, reading handwritten remarks.
She did not specify what assistance would be offered but added that support for Morocco would be discussed at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Marrakesh.
“In the midst of all that Morocco has suffered, it really is a testament to the resilience of this community that you're able to host a gathering as large as the international meetings of the IMF and World Bank taking place here this week,” Ms Yellen said.
Ms Yellen toured Bin Youssef High School in Marrakesh, which was quick to take on pupils displaced from damaged schools in villages hit by the September 8 earthquake. She said the effort was “incredibly impressive” and showed the importance of education in Morocco.
The 6.8-magnitude quake in the High Atlas Mountains killed more than 2,900 people and damaged 2,930 villages with a combined population of 2.8 million people, according to the Moroccan government. About 60,000 homes were damaged, with more than 30 per cent completely destroyed.
Morocco's suffering will be on the minds of meeting participants, “as we discuss the work of international institutions to stand ready to help Morocco and other countries that can be affected by such severe shocks” added Ms Yellen, who controls the dominant US shareholding in both institutions.
The IMF in late September approved a $1.3 billion loan to Morocco from its new Resilience and Sustainability Trust to help it cope with climate disasters and resilience, a programme not directly related to the earthquake.
Morocco also has a $5 billion IMF flexible credit line that it can draw on.
Morocco earthquake latest – in pictures
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People displaced by the earthquake sit with their belongings by the side of the road between Marrakesh and Taroudant in the Atlas mountains. AFP -
A makeshift camp is set up in the open. AFP -
A car is crushed by rubble in the aftermath of the earthquake. AFP -
Children play football beside the rubble of collapsed homes in the village of Afella Igir in the Amizmiz region of Morocco. AFP -
Chickens peck for food at an abandoned home in Afella Igir. AFP -
Not much sign of life in Afella Igir. AFP -
The Moroccan Army on hand in the village of Talat N'Yaaqoub, south of Marrakesh, as the search for victims goes on. EPA -
Ruins in the earthquake-hit village of Talat N'Yaaqoub. EPA -
Tents have become homes for people in Moulay Brahim village, whose lives have been turned upside-down by the earthquake. AP -
Men clear the rubble of houses that collapsed in Imgdal. Getty Images -
A digger clears a mountain road in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
A badly damaged building leans over in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
Lorries carrying aid and equipment to be used by rescuers in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
An elderly man is surrounded by rubble in Tikht village, Morocco, days after the quake struck. Reuters -
Rescue workers in Talat N'Yaaqoub prepare to search for survivors. Getty Images -
Another crushed car on a mountain road in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
Motorists queue for fuel at one of the few filling stations still open in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
Carrying belongings outside the village of Tikht. Reuters -
Aid workers distribute relief supplies in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
Moroccan troops prepare to embark on relief missions in the mountains near Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images -
A man films the ruins of collapsed buildings in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Getty Images
