King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, launched on Wednesday in the commune of Ameur (Salé prefecture), the construction works of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region’s essential reserves platform that will enable authorities to provide swift emergency relief aid in case of disasters.
This project will be built over a 20-hectare site within 12 months. The platform, which will cost over $ 31 million, will include four warehouses (5,000 m² each), two shelters for oversized equipment (2,500 m² each), a helipad and parking lots.
Each region of the Kingdom will have a similar storage platform of tents, blankets, beds, medicines, foodstuffs…in order to respond immediately to disasters (floods, earthquakes, chemical, industrial or radiological hazards).
Twelve regional platforms will be built across the country for a total cost of over $ 758 million, including the costs of construction and equipment. These strategic emergency hubs, to be built over 240 ha, will include 36 warehouses according to each region’s population density and respective risks.
These platforms will provide 200,000 multi-purpose tents, associated equipment (cots, mattresses, blankets …); cater for disaster victims with mobile bakeries & kitchens, supply food kits, drinking water and electricity to disaster victims
These emergency hubs will enable the country to advance rescue and response capacities in disaster situation. This mainly involves building up stocks of flood control equipment, as well as equipment for rescue operations in earthquakes, landslides and mudslides, in addition to equipment to combat chemical, industrial and radiological hazards.
Healthcare for disaster victims will be provided through the setting aside 6 field hospitals, each with 50 beds, as part of a first phase, and six more in a second phase, including emergency operating modules and medical service modules for various specialties. This mobile hospital infrastructure will be enhanced by advanced medical posts for triage and first aid at disaster sites.