By Judith Faucher, International Projects Funding Officer
On Friday September 8, 2023, at 23:00 local time, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Morocco around 70 kilometers south of Marrakesh. The earthquake was the deadliest in Morocco since 2004, with 2,946 deaths reported by national authorities and 5,674 people injured. Across the affected areas, extensive damage was reported to homes and essential infrastructure, with an estimated 59,674 houses destroyed or damaged, including in remote villages perched in the Atlas Mountains near the epicenter. Livelihoods in these areas have been severely disrupted, leaving families without a source of income. In addition to material challenges, affected communities also faced problems of post-traumatic stress, as well as the protection of children and widows.
Against this backdrop, Caritas Morocco, a partner of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, mobilized quickly after the earthquake to help the victims, complementing the aid provided by the Moroccan government. In a first phase of emergency response between September 2023 and March 2024 (seven months), Caritas Morocco was able to reach 8,877 people directly, including 278 families in the province of Ouarzazate and 1,553 families in the province of Al Haouz. Essential assistance provided to these families included:
- The installation of 75 new temporary shelters.
- The supply of 278 hygiene kits and 278 essential equipment kits such as mattresses, blankets, plastic insulating mats and multi-purpose solar lanterns.
- The installation of nine modular sanitary blocks comprising toilets, showers, washbasins, water heaters, cisterns and lighting.
- Construction of a well to guarantee a stable supply of drinking water for seven villages.
- Distribution of food baskets to 1,243 families.
In addition, 100 migrant people affected by the earthquake in urban areas of Marrakech received full support including food aid, temporary shelter and personal hygiene services.
Following a needs assessment, the second 12-month response phase (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025) is currently being implemented by Caritas Morocco in partnership with local associations. This project is supported by Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, having raised $306,098 thanks to the generosity of our members and the Canadian public through our emergency appeal. It also benefits from substantial financial support of $226,300 from the Quebec government (read the press release in French only) through the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie (MRIF).
Phase II of the project aims to improve the living conditions of over 5,000 people in the provinces of Ouarzazate (south-east of Marrakech), Al Haouz (south-east of Marrakech) and Taroudant (south-west of Marrakech), as well as in the city of Marrakesh. The main areas of intervention are as follows:
- Temporary shelters: Installation of 60 prefabricated modular shelters.
- Water, hygiene and sanitation: Installation of modular sanitary blocks for 200 families; community training on hygiene promotion; and installation of drinking water supply systems, such as the construction of wells, installation of water treatment systems or water distribution networks.
- Protection: Street lighting and psychological and psycho-educational support workshops for 400 children.
- Livelihoods: Income-generating activities focused on agriculture and livestock breeding, including the distribution of goats and dairy cattle, as well as strengthening women’s entrepreneurial skills.
As in Phase I, the project also aims to provide ongoing assistance to 120 migrants to help pay the rent, support personal hygiene (hammams, public baths and hygiene kits), and provide food, thanks to the organization of meals in the Marrakesh church and the distribution of food baskets.
From the outset, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada’s work in Morocco has been focused on long-term reconstruction and development, with an emphasis on community participation. Our actions in Morocco will continue along these lines in the coming period: by supporting initiatives that have an impact on community resilience and confidence, collaborative projects conducive to inclusive and sustainable development with local authorities, the consolidation of operating models in certain territories, and the implementation of adaptation projects in others.
We will also continue to implement the program to support the acquisition of basic services in isolated rural areas in the earthquake zones and in urban areas still in difficulty. We wish to strengthen the scope of our partners’ work by supporting them in acquiring and applying their skills, sharing experiences with other Moroccan or Maghrebian organizations and continuing to support young people and women.
Development and Peace – Caritas Canada would like to express its gratitude to the MRIF for its emergency financial assistance in support of the Moroccan population affected by the earthquake, and to all the individuals, members and supporters who have contributed to our fundraising efforts.
