Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
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Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)

Arab and Western countries offered their condolences to Morocco for the victims of the Friday earthquake, which killed at least 1,305 people and injured 1,832, and expressed their solidarity.

-Saudi Arabia

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sent a cable of condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the victims of the earthquake that resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

They expressed their sympathies, praying for solace to the families of the deceased and wishing speedy recovery to the injured.

Saudi Arabia expressed condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Morocco for the earthquake that hit the country and led to the death and injury of hundreds of people.

The Kingdom expressed solidarity with Morocco in this time of great affliction and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery and Morocco safety and security.

-UAE

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolence to King Mohammed VI of Morocco over the victims of the earthquakes that hit the country, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.

The President ordered the creation of a humanitarian airbridge to enable the charity institutions affiliated with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to send relief aid to those affected by the earthquake in Morocco.

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also dispatched similar messages to King Mohammed VI, wishing Morocco safety and security.

-Qatar

On Saturday, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed deep condolences to the Moroccan King following the devastating earthquake that affected several regions of the Kingdom.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also spoke to his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch via phone.

Sheikh Tamim directed urgent aid and rescue crew.

-Kuwait

Kuwait's Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah directed the government to provide all necessary relief supplies for Morocco.

-Bahrain

Bahrain also offered condolences to Morocco for the earthquake victims.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its sympathy and solidarity with Morocco, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

-Oman

The Sultanate of Oman sympathized with the Moroccan government and people after the earthquake.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the Sultanate expressed sincere condolences to the victims' families and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

-Algeria

Algeria said it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco. In a statement, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the Moroccan people if Morocco requests such help.

-Egypt

Egypt offered its deepest condolences to Morocco following the deadly earthquake.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering solidarity with Morocco, its government, and its people as they grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic and painful incident.

-Jordan

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry expressed its warmest condolences and sincere sympathy to Morocco for the earthquake victims that occurred Friday evening and resulted in several victims and injuries.

-The OIC

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced solidarity with Morocco after the powerful earthquake.

In a statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, affirming the solidarity of the OIC and its support for Morocco and its people in facing the effects of this devastating tragedy and overcoming this humanitarian ordeal.

-Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed all government bodies and forces to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Morocco, including the preparations for sending an aid delegation to the area.

Netanyahu expressed the Israeli government and people's sympathy with the Moroccan people during this tragedy, offering his sincerest condolences to the families who fell victim to the quake.

He delegated to all specialized forces in Israel to be on standby to head to Morocco and extend a helping hand to the local troops in rescuing those who were stuck and administering aid to survivors.

The Israeli government also added that the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli army are on standby to offer help through their specialized rescue forces.

-Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "devastated" by news of the quake, adding that "France stands ready to help with first aid."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she "learned with grief of the tragic toll" from the quake and pointed to "Italy's willingness to support Morocco in this emergency."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake, asserting that "Spain is with the victims of this tragedy."

The Spain military emergency unit and our embassy and consulates are at the disposal of Morocco," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said at the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary of the UK James Cleverly announced his country's readiness to help Morocco however it can, noting that the UK continues to support British nationals in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy with the Moroccan people, while top EU diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco "the assistance it wishes."

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments and said in a message to Morocco's King, "We share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his "deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake."

"Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time," he said on social media.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported "our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour."

-Asia

China. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a "message of condolence" to King Mohammed VI.

"I am shocked to learn that a strong earthquake has occurred in your distinguished country, causing great casualties and property damage," Xi said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the G20 summit this weekend, said he was "extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco."

-The US

US President Joe Biden said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco.

Biden announced that the US administration is in contact with Moroccan officials and stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking," adding: "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs."



UN: Half of Sudan’s Population Face Acute Hunger

Volunteers prepare food for displaced people from Sudan in Chad on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Volunteers prepare food for displaced people from Sudan in Chad on Wednesday. (Reuters)
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UN: Half of Sudan’s Population Face Acute Hunger

Volunteers prepare food for displaced people from Sudan in Chad on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Volunteers prepare food for displaced people from Sudan in Chad on Wednesday. (Reuters)

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that about 25.6 million people – over half of the population of Sudan – face acute hunger, including more than 755,000 people on the brink of famine.

The Office said after more than a year of the conflict in Sudan, an estimated 10.7 million people (2.1 million families) are now internally displaced, according to latest analysis.

Also, recent clashes in the Sennar state have displaced another 151,000 people inside and outside the state.

In July, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, held a week of indirect talks involving Sudan's warring parties in Geneva, with the aim of reaching an agreement on the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians. But the talks ended in failure.

In a related development, Sudanese authorities on Tuesday received more than 20 metric tons of essential medicines, diagnostics and supplies from the UN Development Program in Sudan to ensure the continuation of HIV and TB treatment for patients throughout the country.

The delivery, from the Global Fund, is worth just under $900,000.

UNDP Sudan has overseen five delivery flights carrying medicines, diagnostics and equipment since the beginning of hostilities on April 15, 2023, according to documents seen by Asharq Al-Awsat.

This shipment arrived via charter flight from Nairobi to Port Sudan and was offloaded to the National Medical Supplies Fund (NMSF), which is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), on July 20.

Medicines, diagnostics and supplies from this shipment will be distributed to beneficiaries across the country.

They will be used to replenish the stock of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis Medicines and pediatric Anti-Retroviral (ARV) medicines lost during the escalation of the Sudan conflict in November 2023, resulting in the restoration of treatment for over 120 MDR TB patients and 368 children living with HIV/AIDs.

Adult ARV medicines were also delivered in this consignment, which will be utilized by 11,429 adults living with HIV/AIDS.

Continuous availability of TB and HIV medicine is essential to ensuring continuity of treatment, prevention of the spread of infection in the population, and avoidance of the advancement of disease that may lead to higher treatment costs or death.

“UNDP commends the Federal Ministry of Health for remaining resilient and committed to delivering health services during this time. Strengthening systems to support national capacity is the core of our mission in Sudan,” said UNDP Sudan Resident Representative Luca Renda.

“We will continue to enhance our partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Global Fund and other partners to strengthen medicines/health products supply and distribution systems, which will ensure continuity of HIV and TB treatments while supporting the foundation for a sustainable healthcare system in the future for the country,” he added.

Dr. Sara Abdulla Azhari, the Director of Communicable Diseases Control Directorate at the Federal Ministry of Health said the Federal Ministry of Health, said UNDP Sudan and the Global Fund have been excellent partners in maintaining and supporting the public health system of the country.

UNDP said it has been committed to staying and delivering in Sudan, supporting the Sudanese people by continuing its development mission in the country.

This year, UNDP Sudan said it will look to deploy $32 million into the Sudanese health sector.

Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, almost 80% of hospitals in the conflict-affected areas have become non-operational, with the rest operating in limited capacity, according to recent UN and local data.