Morocco’s Path to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities and Infrastructure After Historic Earthquake

The Catastrophic Impact

On September 8, 2023, Morocco was struck by a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the Atlas Mountains, approximately 43.5 miles south of Marrakech. This was the most powerful earthquake Morocco had experienced in over a century and the deadliest since 1960, claiming 3,000 lives.

Scale of Destruction

The earthquake’s impact was severe, with approximately 50% of the building stock in the affected area sustaining varying degrees of damage. More than 400,000 people were directly affected, with many more indirectly impacted through road closures, changes in waterways, and disruptions to agriculture and other livelihoods.

Government Response and Recovery Plan

The government has implemented a comprehensive recovery plan worth MAD 120 billion, with the first phase allocating MAD 22 billion for short-term priorities between 2023-2025. This includes 8 billion for emergency household aid and residential reconstruction, and 14 billion for rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

Current Progress

The Ministry of Equipment and Water, together with the Grand Atlas Development Agency, is currently pursuing a vast program to rebuild resilient roads. An investment of MAD 890.9 million has been allocated for 2024–2025, including MAD 875.7 million for road infrastructure and MAD 15 million for water projects.

In terms of education infrastructure, of the 343 damaged schools, 103 were completely destroyed. The government responded by setting up temporary prefabricated classrooms immediately to avoid disruption. Currently, reconstruction is underway, with new earthquake-resistant schools being built, complete with libraries, sports fields, and digital equipment.

International Support and Economic Impact

The government has designed an $11.8 billion resilient recovery and reconstruction plan for affected areas. The World Bank has provided rapid support, with more than $300 million of pre-arranged financing mobilized less than one month after the disaster, ensuring that initial recovery stages could proceed without delay.

Looking Forward

Economic projections suggest the full recovery plan would boost national economic growth by 0.03 percentage points per year, on average, from 2024-2028. The reconstruction efforts are not just about rebuilding infrastructure, but also present an opportunity for economic development through new technologies and financial support, which may facilitate long-term economic growth.