Two years on from Morocco's 6.8-magnitude quake, the pace of recovery efforts has frustrated many victims, and critics point to a contrast to the country's fast-paced investments in stadiums and infrastructure projects ahead of the African Cup of Nations in December and the 2030 World Cup. - REUTERS
00:00In Morocco's Atlas Mountains, farmer Lashin Abarda walks through the makeshift home he has been sharing with his daughters for the past two years.
00:10He's a victim of the 2023 earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people.
00:16Two years on from that 6.8 magnitude quake, the pace of recovery efforts has frustrated many victims like Abarda.
00:23You saw the conditions. I have been living in plastic tents since my home was destroyed.
00:30Whenever I ask, they say you will benefit later. I have not received any aid so far.
00:39As you see, we live here in plastic. Last year we renewed them after they were damaged by sun and wind.
00:46Critics are pointing to a contrast to the country's fast-paced investments in stadiums and infrastructure projects,
00:57ahead of the African Cup of Nations in December and the 2030 World Cup.
01:02Last week, on the second anniversary of the quake, dozens of survivors staged a protest in front of Morocco's parliament in Rabat,
01:10calling on the government to take reconstruction aid as seriously as World Cup projects.
01:14The government has spent over $510 million on housing aid for quake victims as of September.
01:22By comparison, it has allocated more than $2.2 billion to prepare stadiums for global tournaments.
01:29Sentiment in Morocco is broadly positive around the World Cup preparations,
01:33which authorities say will boost the country's profile and bring economic growth and new jobs.
01:39Moroccan officials deny prioritizing World Cup spending over quake recovery efforts.
01:44And Prime Minister Aziz Akhanoush has praised the pace of reconstruction.
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