Joint Statement from the Boards of Both Houses of Parliament and the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses
In light of the earthquake that struck some regions of Morocco on Friday, September 8, 2023, resulting in significant loss of life and property, the Board of the House of Representatives, the Board of the House of Councilors, and the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses held urgent meetings on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, dedicated to adopting contribution formulas by the members of both Houses to the national solidarity effort to support the earthquake victims and rebuild the stricken areas.
In this context, the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, the members of the Boards of both Houses, and the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses extend their heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah preserve him. They also offer their most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, praying to the Almighty to grant the deceased victims His merciful compassion, their relatives strength and patience, and the injured a swift recovery.
The Boards of both Houses and the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses express their immense gratitude and high esteem for His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah preserve him, who took the initiative, immediately after the earthquake, to issue his high-level instructions and directives for immediate rescue and assistance measures to the injured, the provision of necessary services to the affected, and the mobilization of all human resources for this purpose. In the same vein, His Majesty the King ordered the establishment of a special fund to receive voluntary and solidarity contributions from citizens, and private and public entities.
The Boards of both Houses and the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses:
- Applauding these initiatives and measures;
- Highly commending the efforts on the ground of the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Civil Protection, the Auxiliary Forces, the security forces, public authorities, medical personnel, elected bodies, and civil society in rescue, aid, care, and support; and
- Lauding the spirit of solidarity and synergy displayed once again by the Moroccan people in the face of this natural disaster and its aftermath, and rallying behind His Majesty, may God assist him;
Emphasize the involvement of all members of both Houses in this national effort, particularly through financial contributions to the dedicated Fund, set at the equivalent of one month's allowance for each member of both Houses, as well as engagement in all national initiatives and measures that will be implemented in the context of reconstruction and assistance to the afflicted areas.
They also announce that both Houses of Parliament will continue to provide support through a committee within each House led by the Speaker of the relevant House. These committees will consist of members from the Boards of both Houses, the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses, and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, with a view to staying informed about all developments related to the consequences of this woeful event and the measures taken to address it.
In this particular circumstance, the members of the Boards of both Houses and the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Groups and Caucuses and their components reaffirm their loyalty and allegiance to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, and the commitment of said components to rally behind His Majesty, in the footsteps of the other national institutions, to overcome the effects of this natural disaster and succeed in the reconstruction efforts. This will be achieved within a framework of solidarity, synergy, and collective work, which are part of the values and traditions of the Moroccan people and the levers that have always helped our country overcome various challenging moments and tests.
