Earthquake Devastation in Morocco: Government Response and Volunteer Efforts

By CNN Staff

Witnessing the Aftermath

Tafeghaghte, Atlas Mountains CNN — Wearing an elegant holiday outfit and sunglasses, Chadia Halimi looked a bit out of place in the dusty camp on the edge of Tafeghaghte, a mountain village in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains that was leveled in last week’s earthquake.

Halimi, a 26-year old French woman, found herself in Morocco when the earthquake struck. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Halimi chose to lend a helping hand. She joined an NGO called El Baraka Angels and began distributing donations and providing comfort to those affected by the earthquake.

The earthquake claimed the lives of over 2,900 individuals and left tens of thousands homeless. Many survivors, who found themselves waiting for days for official government assistance, relied on aid from private volunteer groups.

Disappointment with Government Response

The Moroccan government faced criticism from locals who felt abandoned in the aftermath of the earthquake. In villages such as Moulay Brahim and Asni, residents expressed frustration with the delay in official aid. Sami Sensis, who lost his parents, questioned the government’s lack of action, stating, “Nothing is happening. We are just waiting.”

AbdelHaq Edabdelah, injured during the quake, had to venture out alone in search of medical help when it became evident that no assistance was coming. These accounts shed light on the challenges faced by the government in reaching the most severely affected areas, which were mostly located in remote mountainous regions.

Amal Zniber, head of Moroccan educational charity Amis Des Écoles, defended the government’s efforts. She emphasized that although it may seem like the government did not provide aid promptly, their main priority was ensuring the safety of the affected individuals and clearing roads for access to those in need.

International Support Offered

Several countries offered assistance to Morocco in the wake of the earthquake. Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates were among the countries whose offers were accepted by the Moroccan government. The United States also expressed its readiness to provide aid, but Morocco had not requested assistance at that time.

France, too, extended its support, but Morocco did not take up the offer. This sparked controversy in some French media outlets, suggesting strained diplomatic relations as the reason for the refusal. However, French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed these claims as “unfounded controversies.” The Moroccan Interior Ministry stated that it may still seek help from other friendly countries.

Government Response and Volunteer Efforts Intensify

As days passed, the Moroccan government’s response became more visible even in the most remote areas. Yellow tents were set up to provide shelter to those who had been staying outside since the earthquake. Heavy machinery and equipment were delivered, and the military organized air drops of aid. A field hospital and a camp for displaced individuals were established in Asni.

Meanwhile, volunteers continued to pour in, offering their support. Abdelali Amzil and his neighbors drove from Casablanca, 300 kilometers away, with a van filled with food and water. They distributed these supplies to the people in Ouirgane, a village where 600 individuals had lost their homes and were living in a nearby grove.

Zniber expressed her gratitude for the incredible response from ordinary people. The willingness to help has been overwhelming, with individuals even sharing whatever little they had to offer.

In the face of tragedy, the earthquake in Morocco has highlighted both the challenges faced by the government and the resilience of volunteer efforts. While delays in aid delivery were a source of frustration, the determination of individuals like Chadia Halimi and Abdelali Amzil prove that even in the toughest of times, compassion and solidarity prevail.

Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-14 00:33:00

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