Morocco advances reconstruction of quake-hit homes
Government reports major progress in housing recovery, though delays leave affected families facing ongoing hardship
RABAT, Morocco (MNTV) — Morocco announced substantial progress in rebuilding communities hit by last year’s Al Haouz earthquake, with more than 53,600 homes fully reconstructed and thousands in the process, according to new figures presented to Parliament.
The update was delivered by Minister of National Territory Planning Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, who outlined the scale of reconstruction efforts and noted that over 58,900 building permits have been issued to support the recovery process.
Citing data from the government’s review committees, the minister said more than 53,300 homes have reached the structural completion phase, while an additional 55,175 units are undergoing foundation approval.
She added that the Direct Housing Support Program has now reached 75,760 beneficiaries, with the majority receiving financial assistance of $7500 and the remainder qualifying for the higher $10800 package.
El Mansouri noted that the support program has improved access to housing in cities that had historically received limited assistance, including Fez, Settat, El Jadida, Benslimane, Oujda, and Berkane.
She highlighted broader economic gains linked to the reconstruction process, pointing to an 11 percent increase in cement sales, a 3 percent rise in housing loans, and a 4.5 percent expansion in credit offered to property developers.
Small and medium-sized enterprises accounted for more than 80 percent of project participation, contributing to the creation of 74,000 jobs in construction and public works.
Addressing the long-running “Cities Without Slums” initiative, the minister reported that improved housing conditions have been secured for more than 373,900 families as of November.
Sixty-two cities and urban centers have been declared free of slums, with Es-Smara and Laayoune expected to receive the designation later this month.
El Mansouri said the current government has accelerated the pace of addressing substandard housing by refining earlier strategies, increasing private-sector engagement, and prioritizing rapid rehousing.
As a result, the number of beneficiary families rose from 6,000 annually between 2018 and 2021 to 18,000 per year since 2022, particularly in Temara, Greater Casablanca, Skhirat, Sale, Es-Smara, and Guercif.
Despite the reported progress, residents in several hard-hit and remote areas say reconstruction remains slow and uneven, leaving many families without permanent homes nearly a year after the disaster.
Communities continue to rely on temporary shelters that offer limited protection against harsh temperatures and seasonal rains, while livelihoods disrupted by the earthquake remain difficult to restore.
For many survivors, the aftermath of the disaster is still a daily struggle marked by uncertainty, inconsistent support, and the long wait for stable housing and economic recovery.
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