World pledges help to quake-hit Morocco

Morocco said late Sunday it was accepting offers from just four countries: Britain, Spain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, after the earthquake that has killed more than 2,100 people.

But countries around the world have lined up to offered to help Morocco.

- International aid agencies -

The International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released over $1 million from its emergency disaster fund to support the Moroccan Red Crescent's work on the ground.

"The next 24 to 48 hours will be critical in terms of saving lives," the global humanitarian network warned on Saturday, adding that help could be needed for months or even years.

- Spain -

Spain on Sunday sent 86 military rescuers and eight search dogs to Morocco after receiving a formal request for help from Rabat.

A first team, from the armed forces' Emergencies Unit, took off in an A400 military plane bound for Marrakesh to "help in the search and rescue of survivors", the defence ministry said.

Another military plane took off from a base in Torrejon de Ardoz near Madrid, an interior ministry spokesman said.

- Qatar -

Qatar said it was also sending a rescue team.

- France -

A team of French volunteer firefighters has arrived in Morocco and President Emmanuel Macron said more, substantial assistance was available, should Morocco request it.

"We have mobilised all technical and security teams to be able to intervene when the Moroccan authorities deem it useful."

- United States -

The United States has told Morocco it is "ready to provide significant assistance" including search and rescue teams.

"We are also ready to release funds at the right time that can help the Moroccans recover and deal with this horrific tragedy," Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said.

"The United States will be with them at every step of the way when they are ready to avail themselves of what we have to offer," he added.

- Switzerland -

Switzerland has offered to provide temporary shelters, water treatment and distribution equipment, sanitation facilities and hygiene kits.

- Belgium -

Belgium has offered help including medical teams and field hospitals.

The Flanders region, home to a large Moroccan community, said it would provide 200,000 euros ($214,270) in emergency aid through the Red Cross, while the Wallonia region has pledged to provide 500,000 euros.

- Italy -

Italy has offered the help of its civil protection agency and fire service, while the Italian Catholic Church has sent 300,000 euros ($321,400) in aid through NGO Caritas Italy.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday stressed Italy's "willingness to contribute to the complex rescue work".

- Turkey -

Turkey has offered to send 265 rescue workers and 1,000 tents.

- Poland and Israel -

Poland and Israel said they were ready to provide assistance including search and rescue teams.

- Iraq and Jordan -

Iraq and Jordan have offered to provide all possible forms of assistance to Morocco.

- Organisations -

The heads of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Union and the European Commission, together with the presidents of France and India, pledged in a joint statement to "mobilise our technical and financial tools and assistance" to help Morocco.

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca "pledged over $1 million to support immediate humanitarian relief efforts with leading global non-profit humanitarian partners and through matching of employee donations".