For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 26, 2004
Statement by the Press Secretary
On behalf of the American people, the President expresses his
condolences to His Majesty King Mohamed VI and the people of Morocco on
the terrible loss of life as a result of the tragic earthquake in Al
Hoceima.
The American people and government stand ready to help in any way
possible to assist our friends and allies in Morocco in this time of
need.
Assistance provided thus far to the Kingdom of Morocco for use in
the afflicted area includes a donation to the Moroccan Red Crescent for
relief supplies and 10,000 woolen blankets. Additionally, we are
sending plastic sheeting for emergency shelters, 1,000 tents, 50 diesel
generators, and 3 medical kits with drugs and supplies for a total of
30,000 people. We have also sent a team of six American disaster
experts to help coordinate relief activities and distribute supplies.
American assistance will continue to flow into Morocco to help the
people of the region recover from this earthquake, and the United
States is coordinating its efforts very closely with the Moroccan
government.
The Moroccan and American people have been friends, partners, and
allies for over two centuries. In this time of need, the people and
government of the United States will do their utmost to respond to this
tragedy.
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