Morocco Earthquake Update

 

A ShelterBox emergency assessment team is in Marrakesh finding out what support is needed following the earthquake, and if we are well placed to help. The team is assessing the damage as well as speaking with local people, authorities, organizations, and our Rotary network as we try to understand how many people are without adequate shelter.

 

We are in touch with Rotary in District D9010 and their District Governor. Our deployed team met with local Rotary today in Marrakesh and with other local organizations that Rotary have helped connect our team with.

 

In these situations, coordination hubs are set up, so we’ll be looking to base ourselves where the response is being coordinated. Often that’s not in the most affected areas but in a nearby town or city. Sharing and gathering information with organizations and people on the ground will help us understand more about what is needed now and in the coming days, weeks, and months.

 

The earthquake hit just after 11pm local time under the cover of darkness and most people would have been at home asleep. It’s the strongest earthquake to be recorded in the region and was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria. Buildings have been flattened or left unsafe for people to stay in. Homes and schools have been destroyed and people have lost homes and loved ones. There is uncertainty and panic, and people have little choice but to sleep in the open for fear of more powerful aftershocks that could collapse already weakened buildings.

 

Earthquakes are not common in North Africa so there are more unknowns than usual. With large distances between mountain villages, access routes blocked with rubble, and communication networks affected, it will take time to fully understand the extent of the damage and shelter needs. We need to look carefully about what a response might look like and how we might get aid to where it is needed most if we do respond. We will look at all options if we decide a response is necessary, including sending tents, shelter kits, cash assistance, or solar lights.

 

A lot remains unknown at this stage, including humanitarian needs and response - especially shelter gaps, the number of people displaced, how many buildings are damaged or destroyed, and the needs of affected people. We also need to receive Moroccan government permission to operate in country. Our assessment team is working hard to determine if, how and where we can respond.

 

The response is in the emergency search and rescue phase with people still trapped beneath the rubble. Powerful aftershocks are hampering rescue efforts, and the death toll is expected to keep rising. After the search and rescue operations comes the recovery effort, which is where organizations like ours come in. Through the search and rescue stage we learn a lot and that’s why information sharing and gathering is important. We learn where the worst damage is and what kind of help is needed in those areas.

 

Although the weather is fair now, affected areas are at higher altitudes and temperatures will dip as winter approaches, which is likely to increase the humanitarian need in the region. Our aid items could be suitable - we use different types of shelter aid depending on the climate that are designed to be used for months not weeks, which is often what’s needed.