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Press Release
Government expresses its solidarity with Morocco
On behalf of the people of Timor-Leste, the Government expresses its profound solidarity with the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco suffering the effects of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred on September 8th.
The earthquake that struck the country has killed at least 2,800 people and left around 2,500 injured. Thousands of people are still missing, and rescue teams are still searching for survivors.
This earthquake is the deadliest in Morocco since the earthquake that destroyed the city of Agadir on the country’s west coast in 1960 when more than 12,000 people died.
At the Council of Ministers meeting on September 13th, the Government approved a donation of US$ 2.5 million to the Kingdom of Morocco to support efforts to respond to the destruction caused by the earthquake.
The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, in his letter of condolence sent to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, expressed that “our thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty, his Government and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco during this difficult time” and assured that “Timor-Leste stands ready to provide any additional assistance that may be required, and we look forward to working closely with your Government in the coming days and weeks”.
The spokesman for the 9th Constitutional Government, Minister Agio Pereira, expressed his “sincere condolences to the people and Government of the Kingdom of Morocco” and saluted “all those who continue to be determined in the search for survivors and in supporting the people affected by this disaster”. END