Morocco to invest $760 million in disaster response stockpiles

Morocco plans to spend 7 billion dirhams ($760 million) on storage platforms across the country to stockpile necessities for immediate disaster response, according to state media.

The stockpiling initiative was ordered by King Mohammed VI following the devastating earthquake that struck the High Atlas Mountains in September 2023, which claimed more than 2,900 lives and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure.

In recent years, Morocco has experienced recurring natural disasters including flash floods, wildfires, cold snaps and droughts.

Under this stockpiling project, 2 billion dirhams ($217 million) will be allocated to construct 36 storage facilities throughout the country, covering a total area of 240 hectares. The remaining 5 billion dirhams ($543 million) will fund emergency supplies, state media reported.

These supplies will include tents, beds, blankets, field hospitals, mobile kitchens and bakeries, water purification systems, emergency power generators, and equipment to address flood, landslide and chemical threats.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​