2023-09-12 04:19:27
Photo courtesy of hespress.com
The devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has left a deep mark on the North African country. As the nation recovers from this natural disaster, rescuers and survivors are joining forces to confront a heartbreaking situation.
In Morocco’s most remote villages, survivors, along with bulldozers, are working tirelessly to dig through the rubble. The earthquake has reduced wooden and earthen houses to rubble, and although hopes of finding people alive diminish, the determination of the rescuers does not waver.
This earthquake, the strongest in Morocco in more than a century, has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 people so far. Houses in affected areas were often built with materials such as mud bricks and wooden roofs, which has complicated the search for survivors. The lack of air pockets in collapsed structures has increased difficulties in finding people alive.
International solidarity has been evident, with several countries offering their help. However, Moroccan authorities have accepted help from only four nations so far: Spain, Qatar, Britain and the United Arab Emirates. The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior has expressed its desire to avoid a lack of coordination, which could be counterproductive at these critical times.
The magnitude of the disaster is difficult to measure for now
The United Nations estimates that around 300,000 people have been affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The relatively shallow depth of the earthquake made it especially dangerous, with Al Haouz province in the High Atlas Mountains suffering the most destruction and loss of life. Houses have collapsed, roads have been blocked and the local community is struggling to survive and help each other amid the devastation.
In the remote and impoverished settlement of Tafeghaghte, more than half of the 160 inhabitants are estimated to have lost their lives in the earthquake. Although villagers work tirelessly to recover the bodies of their loved ones, a foul stench fills the air due to the dead animals in the area. Most of the buildings have collapsed, and the desolation is overwhelming.
Ibrahim Wahdouch, who lost two young daughters and two other family members, compares his village to a war zone. Despite the lack of gunfire, the desolate landscape and rubble around him make him feel like he’s in the middle of a conflict.
Survivors in affected areas, like Amizmiz, are crying out for more help. Although the arrival of soldiers and equipment has been a cause for hope, the magnitude of the catastrophe requires more resources and support. Uncertainty about the future persists, and the need for additional help is evident.
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