The deadly earthquake in Morocco: a country in shock
Morocco was shaken by a violent earthquake on Friday September 8, 2023, leaving nearly 3,000 dead and 5,674 injured. Five days after this tragedy, rescuers are redoubling their efforts to help devastated villages and find possible survivors.
Faced with the scale of the disaster, Moroccan authorities requested help from several foreign countries, such as Spain, Great Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, to send search and rescue teams . The Red Cross has also launched an appeal for funds to support relief operations. Aid depots were improvised in certain affected areas in order to provide food products, blankets and mattresses to the victims.
But despite these initiatives, concern is growing among survivors who fear the arrival of rain. The authorities have given no indication of the measures taken to deal with this risk and some residents fear for the health and safety of children.
In this crisis situation, the Moroccan army played a crucial role by setting up field hospitals to treat the wounded in isolated areas. Helicopters were used to evacuate the injured and transport aid to areas inaccessible by road. Reconnaissance drones have also been deployed to assess the situation in disaster areas.
The Moroccan government has promised to compensate citizens who lost their homes. Teams from the Ministry of Equipment are working tirelessly to reopen the tracks leading to the small mountain villages affected by the earthquake.
In conclusion, Morocco is facing a tragic situation after the earthquake which caused numerous human and material losses. Rescuers, volunteers and authorities are mobilizing to help the victims and trying to find survivors. This disaster highlights the need to strengthen infrastructure and seismic risk prevention measures in high-risk regions.