IFRC makes emergency funding appeal to support Morocco quake victims
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The societies are seeking 100 million Swiss francs to support victims of the earthquake in Morocco.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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GENEVA – The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched an emergency appeal on Tuesday to raise 100 million Swiss francs (S$153 million) to support victims of the earthquake in Morocco.
“In this appeal, we are seeking 100 million francs to be able to deliver on the most pressing needs at this time”, including water, sanitation and shelter, Ms Caroline Holt, global director for operations at IFRC, told reporters in Geneva.
“We need to make sure that we avoid a second wave of disaster.”
More than 2,800 people have been killed in Morocco's deadliest earthquake in more than six decades, a 6.8 magnitude quake struck late on Friday in the High Atlas Mountains, with the epicentre 72km south-west of Marrakesh.
Ms Holt said that the IFRC had approved 1 million Swiss francs in funding from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund immediately after the earthquake hit to support the Moroccan Red Crescent to provide immediate relief.
“This emergency response, as with many earthquakes, is a marathon,” she said.
“The people affected by the earthquake will need support for the weeks and months to come, and we will need to continue to show that solidarity and support not only now but in the future.” REUTERS
