A powerful earthquake with a value of 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Marrakesh, Morocco. Additionally, this earthquake was the region's strongest in more than a century. The number of people who died and were injured between the earthquake's day and September 12 was 2,901 and 5,530, respectively. Although there are no diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Morocco and neither country has a representative office in the other, the Taiwanese government still intends to uphold the motto "Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping" by making a USD$50 donation to aid with post-disaster rehabilitation in the area.
Taiwan to donate US$500,000 to assist Morocco in post-earthquake reconstruction.Photo reproduced from MOFA Facebook
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that it had sent condolences to Morocco right away via social media and had asked the Bureau of Representatives of Taiwan in France to communicate Taiwan's concerns to the Moroccan Embassy and Consulate General in France. Morocco has not yet asked the international community for help with search and rescue, even though the National Fire Agency's special search team is currently prepared to go to the local rescue. As a result, teams from different countries that specialize in search and rescue have not yet arrived to help with the disaster relief efforts.
In addition, the MOFA said that it would send a contribution of US$500,000 via a third party in the hopes that the Moroccan victims may quickly rebuild their houses and resume regular lives.
