In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, Moroccan locals equipped with shovels collaborated with bulldozers on Monday, searching through the ruins of remote villages. The catastrophe, which transformed wooden and earthen homes into piles of debris, has decreased hopes of locating survivors. International rescuers poised to assist face delays, awaiting the Moroccan government’s clearance.
The quake, which took place on Friday, was the most powerful the North African nation has seen in over 100 years, leaving more than 2,400 dead.
France’s aid group, Rescuers Without Borders, has withdrawn its offer to send a team after a prolonged wait for deployment permission. “Our primary mission isn’t to locate deceased individuals,” commented the organization’s founder, Arnaud Fraisse. Given that many of the affected homes were constructed using mud bricks and had roofs of wood, stone, and clay, the chances of finding survivors are grim.
Morocco’s government has so far accepted assistance from only four nations: Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates. They aim to prevent the potential chaos of uncoordinated relief efforts. According to UN estimates, the 6.8 magnitude quake, amplified by its shallow depth, impacted approximately 300,000 individuals.
The High Atlas Mountains’ Al Haouz province bore the brunt of the destruction and casualties. Here, roads were obstructed with debris, and residents took matters into their own hands, clearing the pathways themselves.
In the remote village of Tafeghaghte, it is believed over half of its 160 residents perished. The remaining inhabitants were swift to remove the deceased, but the air was heavy with the odour of decaying livestock.
For Ibrahim Wahdouch, the disaster’s aftermath resembled a war-torn landscape, having lost two daughters and other family members. “It may not be a war, but look at the devastation,” he observed.
Recovery efforts continued on Monday with bulldozers clearing wreckage and survivors being cautious around unstable structures. Yet, the assistance, according to some like survivor Salah Ancheu, remains inadequate. “It’s a catastrophe. The future is uncertain, and the aid provided isn’t enough,” he stated.
Many global aid offers have come forward, but delays in official clearance from the Moroccan authorities have hindered their deployment.
Fraisse suspects that the hesitancy might be due to the logistical challenges observed during a 2004 quake, which resulted in an overwhelmed airport due to the influx of aid.
However, some nations have managed to send help. Spain has dispatched a search and rescue team, while Britain has sent a 60-member team with essential equipment. Meanwhile, other countries, like the Czech Republic, are still waiting for official permission.
France, which shares close ties with Morocco, has pledged 5 million euros for NGOs assisting survivors, with various French municipalities and artists also contributing.
The quake’s survivors have been seeking shelter outdoors, traumatized by the calamity and fearing aftershocks. Recounting her ordeal, Fatna Bechar said, “I was asleep when it happened. The roof trapped me, but my neighbours rescued me by clearing the debris.”
Aftershocks continue to plague the region, intensifying fears in areas with already compromised structures. Flags in Morocco have been lowered to honour the dead, with three days of national mourning declared.
Survivors like Khadija Fairouje, mourning the loss of close family members, are desperately trying to salvage remnants from their shattered homes. Reflecting on the scale of destruction, Hafida Fairouje, her sister, said, “Everything’s gone. Nothing remains.”
As Morocco grapples with the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster, the resilience and unity of its people are evident. International communities extend their hands in solidarity, hoping to alleviate the immense suffering and provide some solace. Amid the rubble and heartbreak, the spirit of humanity shines, reminding us of the shared responsibility to stand together in times of crisis.
