Audrey Goetz

Just this past Friday, Morocco experienced a devastation that would alter the country forever. An earthquake struck the city of Marrakech, leading to thousands of deaths. With a magnitude of 6.8, and a 4.9 aftershock, it has been projected that the earthquake has killed over 2,900 people, along with many gone missing, and thousands injured. Essentially, half of the population in every village was wiped out. The numbers are only presumed to rise as more bodies are dug out of the rubble. 

For Morocco, earthquakes are nothing new. In Western Morocco, in 1960, an even bigger earthquake struck the land, killing an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people, wreaking havoc all across the country. It is known as the Agadir earthquake. Two more earthquakes, both having a magnitude of over 6, hit in 2004 and in 2016. The people of Morocco are aware of the dangers of the land that they live on, but the earthquakes are unexpected, and may occur at any time. 

This is why the Marrakech disaster led to unexpected damage, destroying multiple building establishments and historical sites like Marrakech’s Old City and its ancient walls. 

During the events of the earthquake, citizens of Morocco were seen running out of their homes, restaurants, and convenience stores in search of a safe place to take shelter. There are even videos that have been shared on social media sites and news stations showing the people running for their lives, as buildings fall turning into ruins. These videos contain graphic images that illustrate the trauma that this event has caused. 

Due to the destruction that’s occurred, the loss of infrastructure has caused multiple citizens to lose their homes, local restaurants, and jobs, while foreign aid is in no rush to assist the situation. Additionally, multiple villages have experienced a loss of electricity which only makes communication with other governments and nations more difficult. 

 A few organizations have tried to do their part in helping Morocco by raising funds to help them rebuild. A select number of the members have been brave enough to go into the rubble themselves to try to retrieve some valuables.  But without aid from the authorities, nothing will be sufficient enough to help the people, on a larger scale.

The people of Morocco have expressed their concern about the damage that’s been done, and how they are in desperate need of assistance. When the earthquake first hit, Authorities took almost a full 24-hour day to reach certain villages. Ayoub Toudite, a survivor of the Moroccan earthquake, expresses his feelings of abandonment and urgency, “People are suffering here very much. We are in dire need of ambulances. Please send us ambulances to Moulay Brahim. The matter is urgent. This appeal must reach everyone, and on a large scale. Please save us.” To make matters even worse, the Moroccan government restricted the vast majority of other nations to assist Morocco, only permitting four governments and a few NGOs to help. 

The minimal aid given to the nation is causing more distress among the people, as they try to work to rebuild their homes, roads, and continue the search for missing loved ones. The recovery process will be delayed even more due to the large amount of rubble blocking access to certain villages. Those who are injured are in grave danger due to the lack of ambulances, protection, and medical attention, and many people have found that a tent is their new home. 

Just to add to the list of tragedies, a stench of death is in the air, literally. As the decomposing bodies of the victims are carried to the current burial site, the smell brutally reminds survivors of just how much they’ve lost. Madison De La Paz, a sophomore at PPCHS, communicated that if she knew someone who was a victim of the earthquake,  “I’d feel awful, I’d feel sad for them and pity for them. I’d like to help them as much as possible.” She also explained how, “I’d definitely reach out to them, maybe even send some things over to Morocco to help them out.”

Many have felt immense loss, and are unsure of how they will come back from this tragedy. The people do not have access to clothes, shelter, a bed, or a sufficient amount of food or water.. Anabelle Gomez, also a sophomore at PPCHS shared how, “I would feel personally affected by that if someone I knew was in danger. I’d be worried.”

This comes at a time in which Morocco is going through an economic decline. The nation is experiencing a 0-2% GDP reduction, but few nations have offered to help Morocco financially. France claimed that they would send 5 million Euros the following Monday, along with Britain, Spain, and two other countries, showing their support by assisting Morocco. This may help, but realistically much more assistance is needed in order to restore the country back to its full potential.

Generally, with the immense damage that the Marakeh earthquake caused, and the lack of aid from the government, more lives are being put in danger on a daily basis. The struggles that the Moroccan people are facing must become known globally, as a cry for help, in order to raise awareness.