Morocco starts disbursing $250 monthly stipend to quake-hit families

By Khalid Mejdoup

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Morocco on Friday began disbursing a monthly stipend of 2,500 dirhams, or $250 to families hit by last month's deadly floods, villagers told Anadolu.

The government had promised compensation for quake victims on Oct. 6-16, and families who do not receive the amount can submit a petition to relevant regional committees.

As many as 2.8 million people were affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake, which led to the destruction of thousands of villages and houses.

The damage was less severe in the city of Marrakesh, but in the High Atlas mountains where most of the quake's 3,000 victims were killed, villagers are living in tents.

Authorities had also assured aid to rebuild fallen homes. In a statement, the Moroccan Royal Court said direct financial assistance of 140,000 dirhams (about $14,000) will be granted for totally collapsed buildings, and 80,000 dirhams (some $8,000) for partially collapsed houses.

Last week, the International Monetary Fund approved a $1.32 billion, 18-month loan from its new Resilience and Sustainability Facility to help Morocco bolster its resilience to climate-related disasters.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara