Mohammed VI thanks the efforts of the UME in the rescue work after the quake
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has sent a message of thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Juan Saldaña, head of the Spanish Military Emergency Unit (UME), who took part in the rescue operations following the earthquake that struck the country more than a week ago.
Mohammed VI, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Moroccan people, expressed his thanks and sincere gratitude for the generous efforts made by the Spanish mainland, as well as for the recognised professionalism shown during these operations, according to the Moroccan news agency, MAP.
The king has therefore asked Saldaña to send his personal gratitude and that of the whole nation to the members of the UME who, "with chivalry and altruism, have shown the depth of the feelings of sincere affection and active solidarity they have for this country, their second homeland".
The Moroccan monarch praised the "active and efficient participation" of the members of the Spanish unit who, "together with their Moroccan brothers, deployed all their efforts and means during the search and rescue operations".
Mohammed VI said he was "deeply moved personally" by the support, "as were all the Moroccan people". The king also expressed his great pride and appreciation for this generous participation of Spanish unity and for the depth of the solid and fraternal ties of effective solidarity that unite the Spanish and Moroccan peoples.
The monarch also thanked the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Morocco, the other three countries that, together with Spain, have sent search and rescue teams, for their rescue efforts.
A week after the earthquake that left approximately 3,000 dead and thousands injured, the Moroccan authorities, following the king's instructions, have begun reconstruction work and have launched measures to protect the victims of the earthquake.
In this regard, Mohammed VI has called for a "firm, rapid and productive response" from the authorities to provide shelter for those affected by the earthquake who have lost their homes. The king stressed the need to establish safe housing that also protects citizens from the temperatures expected in the autumn.
On the other hand, a great deal of national and international solidarity continues to be experienced. Various companies and organisations from different sectors have shown their support for the victims. The Moroccan phosphate giant, the OCP Group, has made a million-dollar donation, as has the aeronautical company Boeing, which has decided to donate 300,000 dollars. The Muslim community in Canada has also raised more than $150,000 to help the victims of the earthquake and floods in Libya.
The Moroccan art sector also wanted to show its support for the victims thanks to the initiative of Youssef Bennani, a Casablanca-based art collector specialising in renewable energies, who has focused on raising funds for those affected by the earthquake. Bennani organised an art auction on Saturday where all the proceeds went to the earthquake victims through an NGO called JOOD.