The Canary Islands Government clarified this Sunday that none of its residents are among the casualties or injured from the Morocco earthquake. In a detailed statement by the Director General of Relations with Africa, Luis Padilla, the government communicated that it has been actively coordinating with both the Moroccan and Spanish Ministries of Foreign Affairs since the disaster was reported.
President of the Canaries, Fernando Clavijo, extended his deepest condolences and pledged his people’s solidarity with Morocco in these challenging times. He also conveyed the archipelago’s readiness to assist in humanitarian endeavours and in helping the quake-stricken areas regain a sense of normality.
The statement further elaborated that the government has been in prompt communication with Ricardo Díez-Hochleitner Rodríguez, the Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, and Moroccan Ambassador Karima Benyaich. Early Saturday morning saw additional liaison with the Proexca representative in Morocco, who confirmed the safety of the 200 Canary Island residents living in the North African country.
In terms of local impact, the Canary Islands government has been continually in touch with the Government Delegation in the Canary Islands and with Binter airlines, which operates regular services to Morocco, to facilitate the return of Canary Island tourists who have expressed a wish to come home. The note concluded that two flights departed Marrakech for Gran Canaria yesterday, and a third charter is set to fly another group of tourists back to the Canary Islands today.
Moreover, the Canary Islands government also announced that it is planning to channel humanitarian aid to the affected areas via the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
