Guyana offers support to earthquake-stricken Morocco

The Guyana Government has pledged its support to the North African nation of Morocco which was struck by a massive 6.8-magnitude earthquake on Friday.
In a statement on his Facebook page on Sunday, President Dr Irfaan Ali said he is deeply saddened at the loss of over 2000 lives, the injuries, and the displacement of thousands of persons in Morocco.

“The Government and people of Guyana express our deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Morocco, especially those directly affected by this devastation. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. My Government will provide any support we can to the global efforts to help the people of Morocco in this difficult time,” the Head of State assured.
According to the BBC, Friday’s earthquake, the country’s deadliest in 60 years, struck below a remote cluster of mountainous villages south of its capital, Marrakesh.
The Moroccan Government has reported that at least 2122 people were killed and more than 2421 injured, many critically.
The 6.8-magnitude tremor collapsed homes, blocked roads and swayed buildings as far away as the country’s northern coast. Marrakesh’s old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, suffered damage.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) also issued a statement on Sunday on the natural disaster in the North African nation. The regional bloc also said it is deeply saddened to learn of the death and devastation in the Kingdom of Morocco from Friday’s earthquake.
“We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people as the death toll continues to rise.
We offer our hand of friendship and solidarity as you seek to respond and recover from this catastrophe,” the Caricom Secretariat said in the missive.
Guyana and Morocco established diplomatic relations on December 14, 2012.
Only in June, President Ali approved the appointment of a new Moroccan Honorary Consul to Guyana with a view to enhancing relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of Morocco.

The Instrument of Appointment, which was seen by this publication, named Looknauth Persaud as Moroccan’s Honorary Consul in Georgetown. He will be tasked with looking after the Kingdom’s interests here.
According to the document, the appointment was made “whereas the Government of Morocco has considered it necessary to appoint an Honorary Consul at Georgetown for the purpose of looking after the interests of the Kingdom of Morocco and its citizens”.
While presenting the exequatur to Persaud confirming his appointment, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd offered congratulations to the newly appointed Honorary Consul and committed to working towards enhancing cooperation in areas including agriculture and education.