The first international Red Cross Red Crescent relief flights arrived in Morocco on 25 February 2004, bringing essential humanitarian assistance for victims of the violent earthquake that hit the country’s northeastern coast yesterday, leaving at least 560 people dead and many hundreds injured.

The Spanish Red Cross, with Spanish government assistance, flew in 7.6 tonnes of humanitarian aid including 1,000 hygiene kits, 1000 blankets, 100 beds, 150 first aid kits and other relief items. The Spanish Red Cross sent also a team of five people to support the Moroccan Red Crescent in a further evaluation of needs.

'Red Crescent volunteers have already distributed emergency relief items, including blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene items and plastic sheeting to the affected population. The urgent needs are still tents, blankets and medicines,' said Mariano Fernández, secretary general of the Spanish Red Cross Melilla branch, who traveled to villages near Al Hoceima.

Five additional planeloads of relief goods are expected on 26 February 2004, carrying clothing, blankets, jerry cans, warehouse and family tents, donated by the Red Cross Societies of Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. Included will be a Spanish Red Cross logistics emergency response unit.

The International Federation has launched a global appeal for assistance, seeking around A$3 million to provide assistance for up to 30,000 people.