Leaders and Diplomats Express Condolences and Support for Morocco After Devastating Earthquake
MARRAKECH, Morocco: The world is mourning with Morocco after a powerful earthquake struck the mountains southwest of Marrakech, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming thousands of lives. The 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which occurred late Friday, has left over 2,000 people dead and more than 2,000 injured, many in critical condition, according to Moroccan authorities. Leaders and diplomats from around the globe have expressed their condolences and offered support to the people of Morocco during this difficult time.
International Support Pours In
Leaders from various countries have extended their sympathies and pledged assistance to Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain, Morocco’s cross-strait neighbor, expressed solidarity and support for the Moroccan people in the wake of this terrible earthquake. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz conveyed his thoughts to the victims and expressed sympathy for all those affected. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his devastation and offered France’s readiness to provide first aid. The Pope also expressed profound solidarity with Morocco.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized Italy’s willingness to support Morocco during this emergency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy with the Moroccan people in the face of this terrible earthquake. The European Union member countries, through the European Council, expressed their deep sadness and readiness to assist Morocco in any way deemed useful.
Leaders from Russia and Ukraine also offered their condolences and support. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his deepest condolences to King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans affected by the earthquake. Russian President Vladimir Putin shared the pain and mourning of the Moroccan people.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the G20 summit, expressed extreme sorrow over the loss of lives in Morocco due to the earthquake. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered support to the Moroccan people in every possible way during this difficult hour.
Unexpected Support from Algeria and Israel
Algeria, despite the diplomatic tensions with Morocco, offered sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people for the victims of the earthquake. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed all government bodies and forces to provide necessary assistance to Morocco, including preparations for sending an aid delegation to the affected area. This gesture comes after the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize ties with several Arab countries, including Morocco.
Support from the Arab World and Beyond
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, expressed solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco and ordered an air bridge to deliver critical relief to the country. Iran expressed condolences for the terrible earthquake, while Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani offered any form of assistance to deal with the repercussions of the devastating earthquake. King Abdullah II of Jordan urged his government to provide all possible assistance to Morocco.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to King Mohammed and assured Morocco of Nigeria’s solidarity during this difficult time. The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also expressed sincere condolences to the king, the Moroccan people, and the families of the victims.
International Organizations Stand Ready to Assist
The World Bank expressed its sympathy and stated that its sole focus at this stage is on the Moroccan people and the authorities dealing with this tragedy. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation offered prayers for mercy on the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured. The World Health Organization and UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths pledged support for the immediate health needs of those affected by the earthquake. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that the response to this devastating quake could take years. UNESCO, the UN heritage organization, also committed to helping Morocco assess damage to national heritage sites and develop a repair strategy.
As Morocco mourns the loss of thousands of lives and grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic earthquake, the outpouring of support from leaders and diplomats worldwide serves as a testament to the global solidarity with the Moroccan people. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with the support and assistance of the international community, Morocco will emerge stronger than ever.