More than a year after a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco's High Atlas region, the United States continues to support the country's recovery efforts. The earthquake claimed nearly 3,000 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of people. During a recent visit to the Al Haouz province, U.S. Ambassador Puneet Talwar observed how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Morocco, is working to support the resilient recovery of affected children and families. The partnership focuses on providing integrated social support services, including education, health, child protection, water, sanitation, and psychosocial support. In September, the program assisted the Moroccan government in welcoming more than 15,000 students back to the classroom, following the rehabilitation of damaged schools and the installation of mobile units. USAID has provided approximately $12.6 million in initial humanitarian assistance and medium- and long-term recovery support since the earthquake. Other USAID programs are supporting local associations in the Al Haouz, Chichaoua, and Azilal provinces to aid community recovery and empower women, youth, and people with disabilities through socio-economic integration and entrepreneurship. Over 2,000 people in Al Haouz and Chichaoua have participated in earthquake recovery projects led by local associations since December.
