Urgent Earthquake Response in Morocco

Thank you for your support of this project, I writing to share some updates on ActionAid’s work in Morocco.

Following the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central Morocco on September 8, 2023, thousands of lives were lost, and entire communities across the Atlas Mountains were displaced. The disaster severely impacted 660,000 people, destroying over 59,000 homes, displacing 380,000, and leaving thousands injured or dead. Urgent needs emerged in the areas of shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.

ActionAid, in collaboration with local partners, has been working on the ground to address these pressing needs. Our response has so far included providing essential services and meeting basic needs, while also supporting economic empowerment, especially for women and girls. Efforts to restore livelihoods, repair damaged infrastructure, and deliver psychosocial support have been crucial in helping the affected communities regain some stability. In addition, ActionAid focused on the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, through community-based protection mechanisms and awareness-raising sessions, facilitating trainings for young female leaders, and encouraging them to play key roles in the recovery process.

Through these interventions, by the end of 2024, ActionAid reached a total of 2,656 people across various communities in affected areas. Specific outreach included 1,303 people benefiting from WASH services, 1,302 receiving food, and 1,190 individuals receiving dignity kits. Additionally, safe spaces were established for women, providing them with a platform for support and collective action. Protection efforts were also reinforced through the identification of 69 cases of physical and mental health issues, gender-based violence, and barriers to education, with referrals made to specialized organizations.

Moving forward, and as part of the long-term appraoch to our humanitarian response, ActionAid will continue meeting the immediate needs of affected people, advancing advocacy efforts and community enrichment programs, and promoting disaster risk reduction and response planning in order to mitigate the impact of future crises. Thank you for powering all this work. We will continue to share updates as they are received.