In a devastating event, the Marrakesh-Safi region was struck by a powerful earthquake on September 8, registering a magnitude between 6.8 and 6.9, with a depth of 11.5 miles. This disaster had far-reaching consequences as its path was left a wake of devastation.

The Earthquake and Its Consequences

The earthquake’s epicenter emerged amidst the High Atlas mountain range, 72 miles southwest of Marrakech, Morocco. This region had remained untouched by such a magnitude of an earthquake event for many years.

The human toll was staggering, with a death toll surpassing 2,900 and over 5,000 individuals suffering injuries. Al Haouz province took the brunt, witnessing approximately 60% of confirmed deaths. UNICEF reported that around 100,000 children were directly affected by the earthquake’s aftermath.

Within 20 minutes of the initial quake, an aftershock measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale worsened the distress and inflicted additional damage throughout the region.

The infrastructure bore the brunt of this seismic activity, as the quake tore at thousands of buildings and homes. Families were displaced and exposed to the harsh temperatures at night due to the time of year. Furthermore, the Moroccan earthquake wreaked havoc on educational institutions, medical facilities and schools, exacerbating the injured and displaced Moroccans.

Beyond the borders, neighboring countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Algeria felt tremors, the far-reaching impact of this catastrophe. The global community rallied in solidarity, offering aid and assistance to the earthquake’s victims and their families.

NGO JOOD

Notably, NGO JOOD, renowned for its continuous efforts in aiding the homeless and the less fortunate since 2015, stepped up. With a dedicated volunteer force of 5,000 individuals, JOOD had already aided the lives of over 60,000 people in Morocco before the earthquake.

In a heartening display of support, Youssef Bennani, an art collector specializing in renewable energy, took a proactive role. He orchestrated a special art auction in September 2023 to raise funds for the Moroccan earthquake victims. Recognizing the financial challenges often faced by NGOs, Bennani, alongside numerous Moroccan artists, generously contributed their artwork to this noble cause. The artists funneled every cent earned from the auction directly toward aiding the earthquake victims through JOOD.

While the earthquake inflicted severe suffering on the Marrakesh-Safi region, leading to loss of life, widespread injuries, and extensive infrastructure damage, the response from local and international communities has been beyond fruitful. Initiatives like Youssef Bennani’s art auction are beacons of hope for those affected.

Earthquake relief has been united in the region as many other NGOs and programs have had creative forms of raising awareness and funds. JOOD has served the Moroccan community for almost ten years and continues to do so in Morocco’s time of need.

– Ariana Wauer
Photo: Flickr