IBC FLASH APPEAL RESPONDING MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE

10.09.2023

Background

On 8 September, at 11:11 pm local time, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit central Morocco. Its epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, southwest of Marrakesh city. The earthquake’s depth is 18.5 km, according to the US Geological Survey. The municipalities affected are al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. This is considered the most powerful earthquake in a century to strike Morocco (OCHA 09/09/2023; BBC 09/09/2023; CNN 09/09/2023 a). Hundreds of aftershocks were recorded, the strongest reaching up to 5.9 magnitude (Al Ghad 09/09/2023).

As of 10 September, the Ministry of Interior announced that at least 2,012 people were killed and 2,059 were injured by the quake, including 1,404 people in critical condition. Most fatalities are reported in al-Haouz municipality. The number of damaged and destroyed buildings remains unknown but is estimated at hundreds. The earthquake mainly impacted villages near Marrakesh where houses are old and vulnerable to earthquakes (Al Jazeera accessed 10/09/2023; CNN 09/09/2023 a). The number of fatalities is expected to rise as an unknown number of people are still under collapsed buildings, waiting for rescue. The number of people exposed to the earthquake’s impact and living within 50 km of the epicenter is estimated at 380,000 people, including nearly 30,000 people living within 15 km from the epicenter and considered to be the most impacted (WFP 08/09/2023).

The most affected areas are the remote villages in mountainous areas that are considered hard to reach. In addition, roads leading to those areas need to be cleared of rubble and collapsed stones to allow rescue teams and ambulances to reach the people in need. There are also people staying in their cars on those roads, causing traffic and delays in rescue operations (Al Jazeera 09/09/2023; Sky News 09/09/2023; Islamic Relief 09/09/2023).

Emergency Needs

Notwithstanding the expressed intentions of the European Union (EU), alongside various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and states, to provide assistance to Morocco, it is imperative to underscore the persisting humanitarian exigencies within the region. These exigencies encompass a spectrum of critical dimensions, including but not limited to:

Tent or Shelter: A salient requirement pertains to the provisioning of adequate shelter infrastructure, which includes tents or viable housing alternatives. This necessity arises as a response to the precarious living conditions faced by populations confronted with displacement, adversity, or inadequate habitation. Tents and shelters are needed for an unknown number of people who have lost their homes. An unknown number of buildings have collapsed in the affected areas Some public buildings were also affected such as schools, mosques, and hospitals. Some patients in the headquarters of Mohammed VI International University Hospital were evacuated to a field hospital due to fears of the aftershocks (Masrawi 09/09/2023). Similar to the impact of the last earthquake that affected Morocco in 2004, most people who lost their homes are living in open areas. They are likely to stay in mosques and makeshift shelters near the rubble of their homes and be vulnerable to hot temperatures during the day and cold temperatures during the night, especially those living in the mountains. Moroccan Civil Protection staff have already started delivering aid, including tents, to the people in need (OCHA 05/03/2004; Sky News 09/09/2023 b; The Guardian 09/09/2023.

First Aid or Health Needs: A pronounced imperative exists for the fulfillment of essential first aid and health-related requisites. This encompasses the deployment of medical supplies, healthcare personnel, and the establishment of medical facilities to address emergent healthcare needs within the affected communities. As of 10 September, more than 2,000 people were injured, including 1,400 with serious conditions. The injured people have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals and other health facilities in Marrakesh. Some patients are being treated outside the hospitals as beds were moved outside due to the risk of aftershocks (Nation 09/09/2023; CNN 09/09/2023 b; Al Jazeera accessed 10/09/2023) No shortages in medicine are reported, but there is a need for blood donations. Many people across Morocco are going to hospitals to donate (Morocco World News 09/09/2023; Inadequate sanitation in displacement sites can lead to disease outbreaks, being cholera and typhoid outbreaks amongst the most common in these cases in other countries (NIH 20/12/2019). There have been no recent outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, or other diseases (except COVID-19) in recent years in Morocco. In 2018, neighboring Algeria had a cholera outbreak that Morocco was able to avoid (AA 29/08/2018). Any disease outbreak will likely require more health needs response and overwhelm hospitals (WSJ 09/09/2023).

Food and Drinking Water: Access to a consistent and nutritionally balanced food supply remains a central humanitarian need. Adequate nourishment is quintessential for the sustenance and vitality of affected populations, particularly in contexts marked by food insecurity. 

The provision of safe and potable drinking water is of paramount importance. Access to clean and uncontaminated water sources is indispensable for safeguarding health, averting waterborne ailments, and maintaining the hydration and vitality of the affected populace. Ready-to-eat food and safe drinking water are needed for the people affected by the earthquake, especially for those who are staying in open areas, public buildings, or temporary shelters. Across the country, about 7.1 million people have insufficient food consumption (WFP 08/09/2023).

Hygiene Packages: The distribution of comprehensive hygiene packages is essential to the preservation of personal hygiene standards. These packages comprise essential items and commodities, serving to mitigate health risks, prevent the proliferation of diseases, and uphold general sanitation and well-being. A pressing necessity is evident in the domain of bedding requirements. These include the provision of mattresses, blankets, and other bedding essentials, vital for ensuring the comfort, insulation, and well-being of individuals and communities experiencing hardships.

Lighting: Adequate lighting facilities are fundamental in ameliorating living conditions, especially during times of crises or displacement, when access to illumination may enhance safety, security, and overall quality of life.

In summation, it is patently evident that a significant lacuna persists in the context of humanitarian exigencies within the region. These unmet needs underscore the enduring imperative for sustained, concerted, and coordinated humanitarian interventions, aimed at alleviating the plight and suffering experienced by vulnerable populations.

IBC’s Emergency Response

International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) having vast experience in responding to earthquake emergencies and recovery situations in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Indonesia has mobilized its emergency response team To Marrakesh, and on-site assessments about different areas for response are identified.

IBC focuses on the needs of the remote villages primarily in the Al Houz and Chichaoua districts of Marrakesh. Priority will be given to food, drinking water, medical and hygiene kits distribution, and tents and blankets.

Relevant coordination with Marrakesh Municipality and some local partners in the field is secured. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was ready to provide all kinds of support "to heal the wounds of the earthquake in Morocco". Turkey's AFAD disaster management authority said 265 aid workers from AFAD, Turkish Red Crescent, and other Turkish NGOs including IBC are mobilized for the rescue and relief intervention. It also said that Turkey was ready to deliver 1,000 tents to the affected areas. As a first step IBC in cooperation with Moroccan authorities is programming to distribute 1000 food parcels,1000 hygiene packages,500 baby kits,200 tents,500 blankets,500 medical kits, and 1000 flashlights in Chichaoua.

In addition, after the final assessments and coordination with Marrakesh disaster authorities, the emergency response program will be re-scheduled and Al Amaal Volunteers Association our local partner will assist with the mobilization of volunteers at the first stage of the intervention until the permanent system is established and relevant logistics organized. The first distributions will be implemented in coordination with the Marrakesh authorities. Around 15000 people its estimated to benefit from the first emergency response.

All procurement will be done locally in order to promote the local market and logistically deliver the relief the earliest possible

For further information from the field about IBC - International Blue Crescent Response and coordination you can contact.

Muzaffer Baca (+90 532 2344229 - [email protected])

Muhammed Ouahi (+90 534 3683545 - [email protected])

Nouhaila Kachmouch (+90 545 7322080 - [email protected])