Morocco Blocks Earthquake Aid from Spanish Enclave Melilla, Donations Redirected Locally

Regional deputy and president of Somos Melilla, Amin Azmani, confirmed the information to Europa Press, stating that the party will distribute this aid initially intended for Morocco to the needy populations of Melilla, in collaboration with the Hindu Community, Yo Dono, El Techo es un Derecho, Vecinos Solidarios.

In recent weeks, the population of Melilla has shown its solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that struck part of Morocco on September 8 and caused nearly 3,000 deaths. "They came in droves to contribute their grain of sand to this solidarity cause," Azmani said. "Unfortunately, even though we initially received a positive response from the Moroccan authorities to pass the aid through the border, the delivery of the aid has slowed down and, so far, we have not received a definitive positive response," he regretted.

"As we cannot wait forever, especially when we know that there are also families in our own city who are in need, we have decided to take direct action, namely that from Monday, October 30, we will proceed to distribute food (water, milk, legumes, oil, among others) and diapers directly to needy families," he said.

The Melilla party has also decided to give part of the blankets, shoes, clothes and medicines collected "to international organizations that are currently providing assistance to Gaza, Palestine," Azmani announced, adding that the earthquake victims in Morocco will ultimately only receive the funds collected, which "will be sent to a trusted entity in Morocco that assists orphaned children following the earthquake." This transaction will be carried out "with all necessary guarantees and certifications," he assured.