AMIZMIZ, Morocco: In the wake of a catastrophic earthquake, the people of Morocco are facing an unprecedented challenge. For a third consecutive night, residents in Marrakech have been forced to sleep in the streets, haunted by the tremors that have rocked their nation. As international aid teams and soldiers mobilize to assist remote mountain towns ravaged by the disaster, the scale of the devastation becomes increasingly apparent.
The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 6.8, struck with devastating force, leaving more than 2,100 people dead—a number expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. The United Nations estimates that a staggering 300,000 people have been affected by the disaster, which has unleashed a wave of grief and shock across the nation.
As offers of assistance poured in from various countries, including the United States and France, Moroccan officials made the decision to accept international aid from just four nations: Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates. The Interior Ministry emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts, stating that disorganized aid delivery could hinder their response to the crisis.
However, the pace of aid deployment has been a source of frustration for many. While some foreign search-and-rescue teams managed to arrive quickly, others found themselves waiting for the Moroccan government’s formal request for assistance. Arnaud Fraisse, the founder of Rescuers Without Borders, expressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need to save lives trapped beneath the rubble of buildings.
Amizmiz, a town deeply affected by the earthquake, experienced a slow influx of aid. Residents cleared rubble from the main road and welcomed soldiers, but they pleaded for more help, citing the absence of ambulances and police in many areas.
Throughout the region, those left homeless or fearing aftershocks have resorted to sleeping outside, whether in the streets of Marrakech or under makeshift shelters in hard-hit Atlas Mountain towns like Moulay Brahim. Their primary concern lies with the damage in isolated communities that rely on unpaved roads, making them difficult to reach.
Adding to the anxiety, the region experienced a magnitude 3.9 aftershock on Sunday, further destabilizing buildings and intensifying the fear of additional casualties. In a region where many structures are constructed from mud bricks, the initial earthquake exposed the vulnerability of buildings ill-equipped to withstand such powerful tremors.
Flags were lowered across Morocco as King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning. The nation’s army has been mobilized for search and rescue efforts, with the king ordering the provision of essential supplies and shelters to those who lost their homes. Mosques were also called upon to hold prayers for the victims.
Despite the immense challenges facing Morocco, the country has yet to make an international appeal for aid, unlike Turkey did after a massive earthquake earlier in the year. Aid offers from around the world have flooded in, and the UN is coordinating international support efforts. Several rescue teams are prepared to deploy when called upon, while Germany, for example, had a team of over 50 rescuers ready to assist.
Spain and France have already dispatched search-and-rescue teams to assist, and the Czech Republic is sending a team of specialists in rubble search and rescue. France, with its strong ties to Morocco, has also provided substantial financial aid from towns and cities.
The earthquake’s epicentre was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, south of Marrakech, and the High Atlas Mountains region bore the brunt of the devastation. Entire towns have been reduced to rubble, and the death toll has been highest in the Al Haouz district.
Survivors have been faced with the daunting task of salvaging what they can from their damaged homes, with many families left with nothing. The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity is coordinating aid efforts for thousands of affected families, providing food, medical assistance, emergency housing, and blankets.
As the Moroccan people confront the aftermath of this historic earthquake, their resilience and determination shine through. Despite the overwhelming challenges, communities are coming together to support each other and face an uncertain future with unwavering resolve.
