2023-09-13 16:00:12
Elyes, 12, is treated by emergency services in Talat N’Yaaqoub, in the province of Al-Haouz, on September 12, 2023. PALOMA LAUDET/OUT OF FORMAT FOR “LE MONDE”
It’s like a need, an imperative, an emergency. Something that tightens the stomach and monopolizes the mind: helping. But how ? Give what, to whom? Go there, but leave where? In Morocco, the earthquake which struck the mountainous region of the High Atlas on Friday, September 8, provoked an immense outpouring of spontaneous citizen solidarity.
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In Marrakech, but also Casablanca, Rabat, Fez… Since the first hours following the disaster, which left at least 2,900 dead according to a new report given on Tuesday, the blood transfusion centers have experienced exceptional influx. In supermarkets, customers and volunteers working in associations fill their trolleys with packs of water, milk, flour, canned goods, cakes… Since Sunday, the four roads linking Marrakech to the towns and villages of the Atlas have experienced a incessant flow of vehicles.
Mehdi Tijani, too, is preparing to hit the road. “It took me Saturday, says this 35-year-old engineer based in Casablanca. I was at home, sitting drinking my coffee, watching the pictures on TV. It started to wear me down from the inside. I couldn’t sleep anymore, I couldn’t eat anymore. Impossible to do nothing. » Since then, he has collected 14,000 dirhams (1,265 euros) from his relatives, collected bags of clothes, ordered tents. ” Today, I went to a store to buy raincoats. The seller asked me: “Is this for earthquake victims?” He gave me everything: jackets, down jackets, gloves, vests, helmets, wipes… and he promises me medicine for tomorrow. »
Out of stock at Decathlon
In Casablanca, you only need to take a detour through the popular souk of Derb Omar – known as the “bargain district” – to realize that Mehdi Tijani is far from being the only one collecting. The blanket sellers were robbed. The suppliers of caidal tents, made of white canvas decorated with black patterns, hardly have any goods left either; you have to place an order. Decathlon Maroc customer service announces a “total out of stock” on waterproof tents. A massive arrival is expected on Friday.
“We are one people. In their own way, everyone gives, underlines Abderrahmane Marcone, a student who runs collection stands in front of supermarkets with other students from his faculty, upset by the living conditions of “mountain people” : “Their situation is catastrophic, everything is demolished. Thunderstorms are forecast for the end of the week, they urgently need tents and blankets! »
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