Earthquake Emergency Relief/Search and Rescue

On September 8 at 11:11 p.m., a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco–the most powerful in over 120 years. Three weeks on, the death toll has risen to 2,901, with 5,530 people injured. Peace Winds is working hard to ensure devastated communities have the urgent help they need.

The region around Marrakesh has been most impacted, and many survivors most in need of help are living in villages in remote areas of the Atlas mountains. With a focus on vulnerable families, Peace Winds delivered solar panels and lights to survivors of one remote village who are living in tents outside their homes.

This week, Peace Winds teams working in the area met with the local leader of the village, Ms. Ekvira. Previously, it has been hard to contact her due to her phone running out of battery, but the solar panels are ensuring that everyone has enough electricity. Ms. Ekvira showed us the tent where she is living along with the solar panel on her roof and the light inside.

“We couldn’t see anything at night before, but now that we have electricity, it’s really helped,” said Mohammad, the village’s deputy leader. Many families have installed their solar light at the entrance to their tents.

Although it will be a long time before homes here are habitable again, living conditions have improved in the village over the past three weeks. The government has installed water storage tanks, and people are now able to do laundry. Communal kitchens and toilets, which were previously exposed to the elements, are now protected by temporary tents.

As international aid decreases, Morocco’s earthquake survivors will continue to live in temporary shelters until they are able to rebuild. Peace Winds is working to make the most of donations to support recovery in Morocco as long as we are able. Please click here to make a donation toward our earthquake relief efforts. Thank you for your continued support.