The devastating impact of the Al Haouz earthquake is not limited to infrastructure and homes, but also affects traders in the region. Among them, Imad, owner of a pottery store at the entrance to Asni, 50 km south of Marrakech, testifies to the disastrous consequences of the disaster on his activity.
Imad describes with sadness the extent of the damage: “Everything is broken, the ceramics, the pottery… Everything is broken.” Of the 60,000 dirhams of goods he had in his shop, there is not much left. The few items that have survived are unsellable due to their damaged condition. This situation jeopardizes the income of Imad, who financially supports seven members of his family.
To deal with this crisis, Imad is using what remains of his pottery to help the victims. When relief vehicles and trucks pass his shop, he offers them tagines to allow those affected to cook. An altruistic action that reflects the solidarity that reigns in the region in these difficult times.
However, despite the acts of generosity and efforts to help others, Imad is concerned about his future. He admits not knowing what will happen in the coming months and is counting heavily on state aid. He has heard that the King of Morocco has put in place a disaster relief program, but the details and timing of these measures are still unclear. In addition, Imad’s house, located under his shop, threatens to collapse, forcing him to sleep in a makeshift shelter a few meters away.
The Moroccan government announced a substantial budget of nearly 11 billion euros for the reconstruction, rehousing and socio-economic recovery of the area affected by the earthquake. This represents a glimmer of hope for Imad and other affected traders, who hope to be able to rebuild their businesses and regain economic stability.
In conclusion, Imad’s poignant testimony highlights the difficulties faced by traders in the Al Haouz region after the earthquake. Despite material losses and uncertainties about the future, solidarity and generous actions stand as bulwarks in the face of adversity. Let us hope that government aid will give new dynamism to these businesses and rebuild what was destroyed.