Title: Moroccan Government Faces Criticism for Slow Response to Earthquake
Subtitle: Despite volunteer efforts, locals feel abandoned as government aid takes time to reach the affected areas
Date: [Current Date]
Byline: Ivana Kottasova, CNN
Tafeghaghte, Atlas Mountains – In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,900 lives and left tens of thousands homeless, the Moroccan government is facing criticism for its slow response in providing aid to the affected areas.
Chadia Halimi, a 26-year old French tourist who was vacationing in Morocco during the earthquake, decided to volunteer her help to the survivors. She joined the NGO El Baraka Angels and has been distributing donations and offering comfort to those in need. Halimi expressed her shock at the destruction caused by the earthquake and her desire to assist those who have lost everything.
The Moroccan government has struggled to deliver aid to the worst-hit areas as they are located in hard-to-access mountainous regions. Local residents in several villages have claimed that they feel abandoned by the government, citing the long wait for official assistance. Many relied on private aid organized by small groups of volunteers from across the country.
Sami Sensis, who lost his parents in the village of Moulay Brahim, expressed his frustration, stating, “Nothing is happening. We are just waiting. They decided to do nothing. They are just telling us to be patient, making promises.”
Survivor Ibrahim Goodman revealed that it took almost two days before any help arrived in his small village near Asni. AbdelHaq Edabdelah, who sustained a shoulder injury during the earthquake, even resorted to walking through a destroyed section of a road in search of medical aid when it became apparent that assistance was not forthcoming.
Amal Zniber, head of the Moroccan educational charity Amis Des Écoles, defended the government’s efforts, acknowledging the extreme scale of the disaster. Zniber emphasized that the government has been present since day one, focusing on ensuring people’s safety and clearing roads to reach those who were in urgent need.
Following the earthquake, several countries offered assistance to Morocco. The Moroccan Interior Ministry accepted support from Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates based on careful assessments of the needs in the affected areas. However, offers from other countries are yet to receive a response.
Despite the frustration expressed by some French media outlets over Morocco not accepting aid from France, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that Morocco had not refused assistance and dismissed the reports as “unfounded controversies.”
Over the past few days, the Moroccan government response has become more noticeable in even the most remote areas. Large yellow tents provided by the government are being set up in villages, providing shelter for those who have been staying outside since the earthquake. Heavy machinery, as well as a field hospital and a camp for displaced people, have been established in Asni. The military has also been organizing air drops of aid.
As the official response gains momentum, volunteers like Abdelali Amzil from Casablanca continue to provide aid to the affected areas. Amzil, along with his neighbors, donated food and water to the mountainous regions, highlighting the incredible response from ordinary people who are eager to help.
While frustrations persist on the ground, the government maintains that assistance is being provided and the situation is being assessed to ensure effective aid reaches all those in need. The full extent of the earthquake’s impact has presented numerous challenges, but efforts from both government and volunteers continue to provide critical support to the affected communities.