An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale was recorded in Morocco, according to the National Seismic Network.
This tremor, with its epicenter located in the Ighil community of the Al Haouz province, occurred on Friday, September 8, at 23:11. The strong tremor was notably felt by residents of Marrakesh, Agadir, the capital Rabat, and Fez, as well as in other Moroccan cities.
The strength of the earthquake that struck Morocco was the highest in our history, but fortunately, it did not result in the 15,000 casualties seen in the Agadir earthquake. May God have mercy on them. This difference can be attributed to the nature of the construction at that time. The city of Agadir was comprised of slums unsuitable for habitation, with no adherence to even the most basic standards of proper construction. The magnitude of the earthquake did not exceed 5.7.
There was a silver lining to this tragic event, as Moroccans became more aware of the earthquake’s potential danger. This awareness led people to start following proper construction standards, even in their simplest forms.
After 63 years, a strong earthquake struck us, registering over seven degrees on the Richter scale. Well-constructed buildings that adhered to safety regulations remained undamaged. Throughout the affected area, there were no reports of buildings, villas, or residences with one to three floors collapsing due to the intensity of the powerful tremor.
However, in the villages and towns, we witnessed an unprecedented human tragedy, to the extent that entire residential communities perished beneath the rubble. Sadly, the earthquake’s intensity led to the expansion of the debris field by tens of kilometers in every direction.
Most of these villages have houses constructed from clay and wood due to their rural and historical mountainous tourist nature. It’s worth noting that the economic situation of these citizens, who rely on agriculture, doesn’t allow them to afford construction according to proper health and safety standards. Additionally, the rugged terrain in these mountainous areas compounds the challenge.
During the winter, there are rain and snowfalls, and we hope that all those affected and the deceased will be relocated, and shelter will be provided before the rains arrive, God forbid. This would be disastrous.
An earthquake of such strength that its echo reached most of the cities near and far from the earthquake zone, such as the city of Fez, where I live, made us stay awake the entire night outside our homes. This terror and panic still looms over most Moroccans, despite the relevant authorities reassuring citizens that the magnitude of the earthquake has begun to decrease and will go away.
An earthquake of such magnitude that its effects reached most cities, both near and far from the earthquake zone, including the city of Fez where I reside, kept us awake throughout the night, outside our homes. This fear and panic still linger among most Moroccans, despite the authorities’ reassurances that the earthquake’s intensity has started to diminish and will eventually subside.
However, on the other hand, and unfortunately, we were informed in the morning that villages in the Al Haouz region had been destroyed, and lives were lost. Now, all we can do is stand in solidarity and rescue those who are still alive.
These urgent measures were in line with the instructions of His Majesty the King and have been consistently followed since the initial moments following the earthquake. These moments saw the intervention of the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, law enforcement services, civil protection teams, as well as the relevant ministerial sectors. The primary objectives included:
- Enhancing search and rescue teams and resources to expedite the rescue and evacuation of the injured.
- Supplying affected areas with clean drinking water.
- Distributing food rations, tents, and blankets to those affected.
- Swiftly restoring public services.
Therefore, in compliance with the supreme instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Armed Forces swiftly deployed significant human and logistical resources, both in the air and on the ground. This deployment included specialized intervention units comprised of search and rescue teams, as well as medical and surgical field hospitals:
- Providing assistance to people facing difficult circumstances, especially orphans and vulnerable individuals.
- Offering immediate assistance to those who are now homeless due to the earthquake, focusing on shelter, nutrition, and all essential requirements.
- Encouraging economic entities to swiftly resume national-level operations. This entails supporting and promoting economic activities.
- Establishing a dedicated account with the treasury and Bank Al-Maghrib to collect voluntary contributions from individuals, private organizations, and public institutions, aimed at aiding society.
- Coordinating the full resources of the Mohammed V Solidarity Foundation and its components to offer support and guidance to citizens in the affected areas.
- Creating reserves and stockpiles of essential supplies (medicines, tents, beds, food supplies, etc.) in every region of the Kingdom to address various types of disasters.
These two institutions have a significant team of social workers whose role is to support individuals facing challenging situations, including those affected by the earthquake or those who have lost family members or their homes. These social workers offer psychological and social support and identify the immediate needs of people in these circumstances.
Additionally, there are other social institutions and civil associations that also employ numerous social workers who have played a crucial role in organizing humanitarian and social solidarity campaigns. They have provided essential necessities such as food, beverages, clothing, and tents to assist those affected.
In conclusion, I must say that the solidarity, unity, and kindness displayed by the Moroccan people – both young and old, women and men, rich and poor, whether residing inside or outside the country – in support of their fellow citizens who fell victim to the earthquake cannot be quantified or adequately described. Hundreds of trucks filled with various essential supplies, including food, mattresses, clothing, and tents, headed towards the Al Haouz area. My heartfelt congratulations to this honorable nation, and my sincere thanks to all the friends of this country who extended their assistance in actions or words. I also pray for the souls of the departed and wish safety and patience for their families.
ISMAIL Lafdil
Social worker
Founding member of the Moroccan Association of Social Workers