MOROCCO: Humanity & Inclusion launches an emergency response - “We expect a significant need for rehabilitation”

Following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Morocco on the night of 8th September Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is working alongside local partners to help survivors

Mobilised immediately, Moroccan associations and authorities are working hard to organise the emergency response for the victims of the earthquake. Present in Morocco since 1993, Humanity & Inclusion has mobilised its teams and is working in close collaboration with its local partners.

Initially, Humanity & Inclusion is helping to distribute essential aids (hygiene products, tents, mobility aids, etc.). We are also preparing to support the Moroccan organisations working with injured and traumatised people, who need rehabilitation care and psychological support. The charity has launched an emergency appeal to call for vital funds to support the most vulnerable people affected by the quake.

"We expect a significant need for rehabilitation," says Céline Abric Country Manager of HI’s programme in Morocco. "In addition, survivors, particularly women and vulnerable groups such as children, older people and people with disabilities, have suffered significant trauma and will need psychological support. It is also crucial to keep in mind the medium- and long-term challenges: temperatures are beginning to fall in the mountains  and the area is not easily accessible. People no longer have any shelter to protect them from the cold and bad weather." 

HI’s experience is that, in the aftermath of an earthquake, the need for rehabilitation is immense: if injured people are not given appropriate care quickly, their injuries can worsen or become permanent disabilities.  

Worst affect populations are in rural and inaccessible areas  

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful and devastating ever recorded in the country according to the Moroccan media, hit the province of Al-Haouz in the High Atlas region, south-west of Marrakech, as well as the provinces of Chichaoua (Marrakech region) and Taroudant (Souss Massa region). Several aftershocks occurred in the country over the following days; although less powerful, these tremors left Moroccans worried. 

The earthquake has left more than 2,900 dead and more than 5,500 injured, mainly in the provinces of Al-Haouz and Taroudant.

"Thousands of people have been injured. Many more have lost everything and are shocked by the violence of this unprecedented earthquake", explains Céline Abric. "The worst-affected areas are fairly remote, with little public infrastructure, which makes it more difficult to coordinate and deliver aid to the survivors". 

Many people are still trapped under the rubble, some villages are still inaccessible and the number of victims may still rise as rescue and evacuation operations progress. These operations are complicated by the lack of access to these mountainous areas.  

A long-term humanitarian response

The humanitarian response will have to be organised over the long term to help rebuild what has been destroyed. Local communities will need support to regain stability and deal with the physical and psychological after-effects of this tragic event. 

HI's teams, which have been working in Morocco for over 30 years, are continuing their work in collaboration with local associations and authorities to adapt their activities to meet needs that will continue to increase in the weeks and months ahead.