The Africa and West Asia Committee of the International League of People’s Struggle sympathizes with the people of Morocco for the death and destruction they suffered due to a powerful earthquake. On the night of Friday, September 8th, at 11:10 PM, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale devastated the city of Marrakech, a significant tourism center, as well as the cities of Chichaoua, Taroudant, Agadir, and Ouarzazate.
In the remote mountainous regions of the High Atlas, entire villages were reduced to rubble. The earthquake’s epicenter is located in the village of Ighile, at the heart of the Grand Atlas. This disaster has been called one of the most significant in the recent history of the country by the Seismic Center in Morocco.
So far, the disaster has claimed 2,946 fatalities and injured 5,574 people. Thousands are still missing. An estimated 50,000 homes have either partially or totally collapsed leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Critical infrastructure has been substantially damaged.
Ongoing relief and rescue operations are hampered by challenging terrain, seismic aftershocks and landslides. The costs of rehabilitation and reconstruction are expected to be enormous.
In this light, we call upon ILPS members and allies to offer people to people support. Financial donations can be offered via the “the special fund to manage the consequences of the tragedy” established by the Moroccan government.
Thank you.