French President Emmanuel Macron said late Tuesday that debates about the state of French-Moroccan relations over aid for earthquake victims should “cease”.
Following the devastating earthquake that struck the Marrakesh region, Morocco accepted support from several countries but has not accepted French offers of help, which raised questions about tensions between both governments.
“It is obviously up to His Majesty the King (Mohammed VI) and the government of Morocco to organize international aid in complete sovereignty and we are available to respond to their sovereign choice,” Macron said in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Macron further stated, “I would hope that all debate that divides, and that complicates this moment that is already so tragic, will cease as a matter of respect for everyone.”
As the devastating earthquake disaster in Morocco enters its fifth day, the death toll rose to about 3,000 and more than 5,500 were injured, while rescuers were still struggling to reach the remote mountain villages that were severely damaged by the earthquake in an attempt to find neighborhoods under the rubble and to deliver aid to the afflicted families in particular.
Hopes of finding survivors are fading, while the International Red Cross has launched an appeal to raise more than $100 million for urgent assistance.
Moroccan rescue teams, with the support of foreign teams and volunteers, are trying to speed up search operations and provide shelter for hundreds of families who have lost their homes.
Many earthquake survivors face dire conditions in the temporary shelters after spending a fourth night outdoors.