Disaster Response Morocco Project #61253

Morocco Earthquake Emergency Response - IBC

by International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation

Project Report | Mar 27, 2025
From Morocco, With Gratitude: A Final Report

By Anastasiia Karaoglu | Programs and Partnerships Officer

The International Blue Crescent (IBC) successfully concluded its emergency response to the 2023 Morocco earthquake by the end of 2024, providing critical aid to affected communities in the Al Haouz region. Immediate relief efforts reached 3,950 families (approximately 24,700 people) through the distribution of 730 emergency tents, 2,155 food parcels, 1,617 WASH items (including hygiene kits and mobile toilets), and 3,060 NFI kits (such as solar lamps, mattresses, blankets, and winter clothing). This phase addressed urgent needs for shelter, food, and sanitation, stabilizing living conditions for survivors in the aftermath of the disaster.

In 2025, IBC transitioned from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation, launching three key livelihood restoration projects: livestock, apiculture, and food processing. These initiatives aim to rebuild economic stability and self-sufficiency for earthquake-affected families by reviving traditional income sources, improving agricultural productivity, and strengthening community resilience. Each project is designed to address specific needs, from livestock breeding to honey production and crop processing, ensuring sustainable recovery for vulnerable households.

The Livestock Project focuses on providing 100 sheep to 25 families, enabling them to generate income through breeding and product diversification (e.g., wool for rugs and cushions). Key indicators include the distribution of four sheep per family (one male and three females), 50 training sessions on livestock management, and regular veterinary field visits. Families commit to not selling the sheep for at least two years, ensuring herd growth and long-term benefits. Additionally, the project promotes value-added production, such as transforming wool into marketable goods, to maximize economic returns.

The Apiculture Project supports 30 beekeepers by supplying beehives and training to enhance honey production and related products. The goal is to increase the market value of beekeeping products by 15% compared to pre-earthquake levels. Key activities include distributing 60 bee colonies, providing equipment and maintenance support, and conducting training on hive management and honey processing. The project also encourages product diversification, such as making granola and energy bars, to boost profitability and market opportunities for beneficiaries.

The Food Processing Project assists 50 cooperative members in optimizing crop cultivation and sales, targeting a 20% increase in profitability. By introducing modern processing techniques and equipment (e.g., nut roasters, dehydrators, and packaging machines), the project helps farmers add value to their products, such as transforming raw crops into granola or energy bars. Training sessions on improved farming methods and market linkages further empower participants to achieve higher yields and better prices, ensuring long-term economic recovery.

Looking ahead, IBC remains committed to fostering sustainable development in earthquake-affected regions. By combining emergency relief with livelihood restoration, the foundation has laid a strong foundation for long-term resilience. Future efforts will focus on expanding these successful models to reach more communities, ensuring that survivors not only recover but also thrive in the face of future challenges. Through continued support, training, and resource provision, IBC aims to create lasting positive change for vulnerable populations in Morocco.

We are grateful to GlobalGiving and its donors for supporting us over the past two years as we worked to bring relief to affected families and to prepare for the next vital step in the recovery process—building community resilience through sustainability. Please, support our efforts by exploring our ongoing projects on GlobalGiving, and feel welcome to learn more about our global work on our website and social media.

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Dec 3, 2024
Morocco Response Update

By Salima Biglary | Programs and Partnerships Coordinator

By October 2024, the International Blue Crescent (IBC) has concluded its Morocco Earthquake Emergency Response Phase. The Foundation marked its presence in the affected areas immediately after the EQ struck large parts of Morocco mainly Al Haouz region. During this phase we have been able to reach 24,700 affected people by distributing 730 emergency tents, 2155 food parcels, 1617 WASH items (mainly hygiene kits and mobile toilets) and 3060 NFI kits (solar lamps, mattresses, blankets, pillows, winterized clothes for kids and adults etc).

Currently, IBC is active in rfforts aiming to stabilize the situation and bring the lives of the affected people back to normal. In this respect, we have launched a capacity building gastronomy project for 20 Women from underserved backgrounds in Marrakech and its outskirts. After being trained, the project aims to connect these women to the job market and provide them with employment opportunities in their local communities to gain economic independence and live with dignity.

The targeted women are aged 18 and above and face numerous challenges, including limited education, early marriages, divorce due to psychological and physical abuse, and an overall lack of systemic support. They fall into vulnerable categories of divorced, widowed, and or single mothers who need to support their children without much assistance from their family, community or state. Orphaned women and young women who have already dropped out of school and are at risk of entering abusive relationships or getting married due to a lack of opportunities are also included in the training.

In this project, the selected women benefit from a 9-month hands-on intensive program offered by IBC and its implementing partner, Amal Women's Training Center Targa. The program focuses on culinary training, whereby the women learn how to cook in a professional setting, develop ic, improve communication in French and English, and develop empowering life skills. The training program aims to make the targeted women resilient to social shocks and transformthem into champions of their own lives.

At the end of the training program, the women go for multiple internships at external restaurants and hotels. Following their internships, they will get jobs either within these hotels or in other hotels, restaurants, and riads in the Marrakech area. This opportunity will enable them to break free from the cycle of poverty, gender-based violence, and economic dependence so many women endure still.

After the training, IBC and its IP anticipate that the selected women will definitely learn new technical skills; cooking, as well as learn basic French and English to communicate with potential employers. Additionally, we expect trainees to become more self-confident and empowered thanks to the coaching and psychological sessions provided. We also anticipate 100% completion of the training program and 80% successful job placement for our women participants.

The selected women will go through 11 rotations, each la to learn the following: Moroccan Cuisine, International Cuisine (Taiwanese, Lebanese, Italian, Indian, Chinese), Salads and starters, Moroccan and international Pastry, Bread and breakfast, Stock Management, Cooking Classes, Ramadan Goodies, Service, Cleaning, and Dish Washing.

The training is well designed and is being delivered by a well-qualified and experienced team. The training stretches over o with nine months to cover all the training modules and the remaining three months to undergo an internship in in a hotel from the Accor chain. The training would he culminated i a Master Chef-style competition whereby the winning teams will be celebrated and given gifts in addition to achievement certificates. The course would be concluded by a job placement process. Under this process, the trainees would benefit from a workshop about Moroccan labor law and would be connected with potential employers. Finally, a follow-up mechanism is established with both the trainee on one hand and the employer on the other hand to ensure the stability of the job and to get to know the impact of the training on the living conditions of the trainees.

The gastronomy project is going on for now, however, IBC has finalized designing and funding three other livelihood projects due to start by January 2025. The livestock, apiculture and food processing projects seek to restore hope and livelihoods of those who have been profoundly impacted by the 2023 Morocco Earthquake. They address the affected families’ needs b providing livestock, and beehives and optimizing the cultivation and profits from local crop sales.

Overall, these initiatives will not only help families recover economically but also promote self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of future challenges. By building the capacity of women in a difficult situation and supporting livestock, apiculture, and crop sales; these projects aim to create a more stable and prosperous livelihood for the affected communities.

Culinary Training

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HEROIC WOMEN OF MOROCCO

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Aug 6, 2024
Morocco Reesponse

By Salima Biglary | Programs and Partnerships Coordinator

Aware of the importance of women's inclusion in social life and their economic independence, International Blue Crescent Foundation (IBC), together with IDRF Canada and its local partner Al Amal, implemented the Culinary Training for Women Project in Morocco.

The inclusion of women in business empowers them to be more present in society and stand on their own. Unfortunately, women worldwide still struggle to achieve equal rights or are fighting to regain them. This is the case for women in the El Haouz district of Marrakech, who live under socioeconomic hardships and social pressures. These women aspire to redefine their destinies and lead independent lives.

To support these aspirations, IBC, in collaboration with IDRF Canada and local partner Al Amal, launched the Culinary Training for Women Project. This initiative aims to empower women whose educational opportunities are restricted, who are forced into early marriages, and who face psychological and physical violence. The project offers an intensive nine-month practical training program, preparing participants for business life and increasing female labor force participation and employment opportunities.

During the program, participants will also take English and French lessons to enhance their language skills, equipping them for business life. Aspiring to become the chefs of the future, these women will have the opportunity to intern in restaurants and hotels in the Marrakech region, backed by the certificate they earn upon completion of the training. The positive impacts of these small steps towards becoming the heroes of their own lives will continue to inspire other women.

At IBC, we remain committed to promoting women's inclusion in business and their economic freedom.

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Culinary Training for Women Project in Morocco

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