Large deployment of the Moroccan Armed Forces in the earthquake-affected provinces

The Moroccan Armed Forces are carrying out a major deployment to assist rescue operations and airlift supplies, water and other essential items to the worst affected areas, especially the province of Al Haouz.

The operation began in the early hours of Saturday 9 September, when the army mobilised substantial resources and a large number of vehicles to reach the most affected villages in the High Atlas region.

Given the characteristics of the affected territory, aerial operations are proving essential. According to information provided by the Moroccan army itself, between 35 and 40 missions a day are being carried out from the base of the Royal Air Force Schools in Marrakech, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the terrain.

These casualty evacuation and aid transport operations are being carried out by Marrakech-based Chinook CH47, Puma SA 330 and AB 205 helicopters, which have been deployed since early morning.

In addition to the helicopters, the Armed Forces are also using drones, which allow the Advanced Relief Operations Command Centre in Marrakech to monitor the situation live in the areas most affected by the earthquake and take the appropriate decisions on the type of aid needed.

Based on this preliminary analysis with drones, aid is coordinated with the intervention units of the Royal Armed Forces, which have been deployed on the ground since last Saturday, 9 September, and with the local authorities in the affected areas.

According to the Arab Maghreb Press Agency, the Marrakech operations base also has a fleet of ambulances and medical personnel who are taking charge of the wounded arriving by air and transporting them to hospitals, with the help of the Royal Gendarmerie.

At the same time, truckloads of aid, including food, tents and blankets, are waiting to be unloaded and quickly transported by helicopter to the quake-affected areas.

Health care