Algeria sends rescue team, Germany gives reason for not being able to provide aid

Algeria, Morocco's North African neighbor, has sent rescue teams to help with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

(09.12) Các nhân viên cứu hộ tìm kiếm người bị nạn tại Amizmiz, Morocco. (Nguồn: Reuters)

Rescue workers search for victims of an earthquake in Amizmiz, Morocco, September 9. (Source: Reuters)

On September 11, the state news agency APS (Algeria) said that the country has reserved three aircraft of the Air Force of the National People's Army (ANP) to transport intervention and rescue teams from the Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Agency to Morocco, following the devastating earthquake in this North African country.

Two of the planes will carry medicine, beds, tents and food, while the other will transport the intervention team along with equipment and search and rescue dogs. They are currently waiting for Morocco's Foreign Ministry to approve the plane's landing. Morocco's Justice Minister had previously said he would accept Algerian aid.

Earlier, the President of the Algerian Red Crescent Society (CRA) Ibtissam Hamlaoui announced: “100 tons of aid including tents, beds, blankets, food packages as well as medicine will be reserved for emergency operations ready to support the brotherly Moroccan people if requested.”

On the same day, speaking about Rabat's refusal to accept aid, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman stated: "Diplomatic relations between Germany and Morocco are very good," and said that Rabat thanked Berlin for offering help.

“I am sure they (Morocco) have thought very carefully, for example, what forces can be deployed where and how to get there, as well as what transport capabilities are available,” the spokesman stressed.

The German government has learned from the devastating floods in the Ahr Valley in 2021 that coordinated aid is crucial in major disasters to ensure rescue teams do not interfere with each other, the official said.

Germany is one of several countries, including France, that have offered to help Morocco if requested. Paris has previously pledged $5.4 million in aid to Rabat. Morocco has assessed the need for aid and placed a high value on coordinating relief efforts before accepting help from other countries.

Earlier, on September 10, Moroccan television quoted King Mohammed VI thanking Spain, Qatar, the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for sending aid to the country after the most devastating earthquake in more than 120 years killed more than 2,000 victims and injured more than 2,000 others, many of whom are currently in critical condition.

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