Haouz officials say construction progresses despite challenging terrain, labor shortages

It’s been exactly a year since the devastating 7.0 magnitude Al Houz earthquake struck central Morocco in September. It was the strongest earthquake the country has experienced in recent history, causing widespread damage, thousands of deaths, and injuries.

åRecently, the government released a report detailing its response over the past year, highlighting the issuance of 55,142 building permits for reconstruction, progress on 42,632 homes, and financial assistance to 57,805 families.

The government also claims that 97% of affected families have received support and that almost 1,000 families have already completed the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their homes.

Local officials told Hespress that there has been noticeable progress in the work being carried out, thanks to overcoming several hurdles. These include clearing debris, issuing work permits, and disbursing reconstruction funds to some families.

However, rugged terrain and a labor shortage have delayed construction in some red-zoned areas, according to local officials overseeing recovery efforts in Chichaoua, Taroudant, and Al Haouz. These challenges have impeded progress in areas affected by last year’s earthquake.

Yet, they reported that construction is now over 50% complete, and many families have already moved into their new homes.

Officials anticipate significant progress in the coming weeks and months, which will largely bring this chapter to a close.

Abderrahim Majra, the head of the Idaoukmaḍ commune in Taroudant province, reported that 80% of building permits have been issued to residents who have begun construction, in a statement to Hespress Ar.

However, he noted that challenges such as certain high-risk areas where construction is not feasible due to difficulties, and a significant shortage of labor.

Majra stated that his commune has moved beyond the initial uncertainty and confusion surrounding the rebuilding process.

He explained that the acceleration of construction work is due in part to the expedited distribution of building materials to residents and the monthly financial support of 2,500 MAD per household.

Majra attributed the initial delays to the unprecedented nature of the disaster and the lack of experience in the region with such a crisis.

“Some families have already moved into their new homes, and we expect many more to do so in the coming weeks and months. We are confident that we will achieve a significant level of housing completion within the next year,” he said.

The head explained that one of the main challenges they’re facing is the need to relocate some villages due to the rugged terrain and the impossibility of building in certain areas.

Mohamed Belassri, President of the Adassil commune in the Chichaoua region, stated, “we expect that in the next three months, homes in several villages within the commune will be ready.”

“Currently, around 40 to 50 homes have been fully completed, despite the difficulties faced in the first few months,” he said, noting that those who have received their permits and the first installment of support are starting construction immediately.

Belassri emphasized that “family participation in their home repairs is very high, reaching nearly 95%. This follows various initial challenges, including delays in payments and permits. Work only gained momentum this summer as the weather improved and became more favorable.”

He also noted that “there will be differences in the completion of work across the commune’s villages. Villages that depend on contractors will face some delays due to the ongoing demand on these contractors and the large number of homes being built—some contractors are managing up to 200 homes each.”

The president added that “by next year, all families are expected to move into their homes.”

Ibrahim Kouchak, President of the Aghouatim commune in the Al Haouz region, said that “construction support payments and the work itself are progressing well. Some families have completed their basements and are now working on the roof, while others are just waiting to start the finishing touches.”

Kouchak also noted that “some families are still living in tents, waiting for relief, partly due to delays in issuing building permits.”

Over the next two or three months, we expect to reach a significant milestone in housing, with about 50% of the work completed, he said, stressing the need to “accelerate the final payments to help residents move into their homes.”

Said Ouchene, President of the Sidi Ouazziz commune, highlighted that “in the next two weeks, we expect to reach 70% completion in the area, as construction has already started on several homes.”

Ouchene told Hespress Ar that “a few families have managed to move into their homes after completing the work, though these cases are still limited. Other families are experiencing delays in receiving their building plans.”

He added that “we are seeing promising signs that a significant number of residents will be officially settled by the start of the new year.”

The president noted that “those who have made the most progress are those with their own savings who didn’t rely on government payments for construction. Delays in these payments for some families are still slowing down overall progress.”