Morocco Al Haouz Earthquake
9th of September, morning
I received a message from Marrakech saying, "Last night there was an earthquake in Marrakech, but we are safe."
In Morocco, there was a major earthquake in Agadir back in 1960, measuring at a magnitude of 5.9, which sadly claimed the lives of 12,000 people. Even during my time living in Marrakech, there was an earthquake in the coastal town of Al Hoceima.
However, I never expected an earthquake to occur in Marrakech itself, so it was quite a shock. My immediate concern was whether the houses and apartments in the area, which didn't seem to have earthquake-resistant features, were safe.
As she described it, the damage inside her apartment was quite minor. Only a few tiles fell from the kitchen wall, which had already been loose, and there was a brief five-minute power outage.
She also mentioned that the children's toys stacked along the wall remained undisturbed. She recalled saying, "It felt like just a small earthquake for me, but seeing everyone in the neighborhood outside made us think we should go out too. I never imagined it would turn into such a major catastrophe."
After reading her message, I checked social media. There were videos shared depicting people fleeing the old town and hotels in Marrakech, as well as the dramatic swaying of the Koutoubia Mosque. Initially, I thought that Marrakech had suffered significant damage.
However, as more reports came in, it became clear that the major damage in Marrakech was confined to a very small part of the city, primarily the Mellah area within the old town. In general, Marrakech had not experienced extensive damage. (Interestingly, some of the photos initially shared on social media, depicting collapsed buildings, turned out to be from a different city like Asni.)
The most severely affected area in this earthquake was the mountainous region
near the epicenter, located about 70 kilometers away from Marrakech.
As of 8 PM on September 11th, the total number of casualties stands at 2,862 people. The exact count of missing individuals has not been disclosed, but there are still many people awaiting rescue beneath the rubble. Moreover, it is estimated that over 300,000 people have been affected, having lost their homes or otherwise suffered from the earthquake.
Here is a breakdown of the fatalities in major areas:
Al Haouz Region (Atlas mountain area): 1,604 people
Taroudant: 976 people
Chichaoua: 202 people
Ouarzazate: 41 people
Marrakech: 18 people
The Al Haouz region, where the earthquake originated, is situated in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. This area has been home to numerous small villages and settlements for generations, each consisting of just a few hundred residents. The inhabitants of these communities typically live in simple homes made from adobe bricks, regular bricks, or blocks, and they have maintained a largely self-sustaining lifestyle with a strong focus on dairy farming.
The women in this region are renowned for their craftsmanship, particularly in weaving colorful rugs using vintage fabrics and old clothing, known as "Boucherouite." I've had the opportunity to visit these villages several times, navigating through narrow mountain roads that transition from two-lane paved roads to single-lane paved roads and eventually unpaved paths, arriving at these villages on foot in search of these unique rugs.
Even in normal circumstances, the roads leading to these villages are quite challenging. However, following the earthquake, many of these roads have become blocked by falling rocks and debris, making rescue efforts exceedingly difficult. In the slightly larger town of Asni, military mobile hospitals have been established, and helicopter rescue operations are in progress. Our fervent hope is for the swift rescue of as many individuals as possible.
The situation in Marrakech,
As for the situation in Marrakech, there were indeed damages in certain areas of the old city, including collapsed houses, cracked walls. On the day of the earthquake and the subsequent day, people chose to sleep outdoors due to concerns about building collapses. Nevertheless, in the days that have passed since the earthquake, it appears that daily life in Marrakech has largely returned to normal. According to reports from our resident staff and friends, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and schools are operating as usual. While the usual bustling crowds of tourists in the souks have thinned somewhat, most shops and tourist spots are open for business.
Initially, there were concerns that Marrakech had suffered devastating damage, which raised fears of a surge in travel cancellations. However, it has been announced that the World Bank's conference scheduled for October in Marrakech will proceed as planned.
It's worth noting that the impact of the earthquake on Marrakech was not as severe as initially feared. Additionally, popular tourist destinations in the northern regions, such as Chefchaouen, Tangier, Fez, Meknes, as well as southern towns like Merzouga, are quite distant from the earthquake's epicenter and remain unaffected.
Donation Recipients
In the days following the earthquake, there has been a surge of public interest in supporting the affected regions through blood donations, fundraising efforts, and the transportation of aid supplies.
It has been announced that over 300,000 people have been affected, including those who have lost their homes, as a result of this earthquake. Among our readers, there are likely many who feel a deep connection to Morocco through purchases of Moroccan goods or through their travels to this beautiful country. If you are considering making a donation, please consider the following non-profit organisations:
Eve Branson Foundation: This non-profit organisation, founded by Eve Branson, the mother of Virgin Group's owner Richard Branson, has been involved in training for women and other projects in the Asni region near the earthquake's epicenter since the 1990s.
They are now actively involved in providing immediate relief, including food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter to affected families. As the situation progresses, their focus will shift towards long-term recovery efforts, such as repairing damaged homes and infrastructure in the affected areas. (Quoted from their donation page)
More details about the Eve Branson Foundation can be found here.
Amal: Amal is a non-profit organisation in Marrakech that empowers disadvantaged women by providing them with culinary skills and job opportunities. While known for serving some of the most delicious home-cooked meals in Marrakech, they are currently seeking donations to support earthquake victims.
If you are considering making a donation, please explore these organizations as potential avenues for your contribution to make a positive impact during this challenging time.
Scenes from Rural Morocco Before the Earthquake
Lastly, for those of you who are seeing rural Morocco for the first time through earthquake coverage, we'd like to share some photos that can help you imagine the way of life these communities enjoyed before the earthquake struck.
(These photos depict villages and settlements in a similar rural setting in the Atlas Mountains, although they may not be from the affected areas.)
