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According to Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network an earthquake measured at 7 on the Richter scale, has hit the country at 11:11 p.m. local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. The U.S. agency reported a magnitudue-4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The epicentre was high in the Atlas Mountains roughly 43.5 miles south of Marrakech.
\nThe access remains very difficult as the area where the quake hit is a mountainous one and made more difficult by the earthquake impact and damages to the access routes. Initial reports also highlight damage to infrastructure and electricity cutoff is reported.
\nIn Marrakesh, several buildings have collapsed and an unspecified number of buildings have been damaged. Power outages are also being reported across Marrakesh. Two people have been injured due to a partial building collapse near the Moulay el Yazid Mosque. An unspecified number of people have been evacuated from buildings across the city. In Taliouine, at least one house has collapsed. In Demnat, at least five people have been killed in a building collapse. The number of casualties is expected to rise amid search and rescue operations.
\nThe Moroccan Red Crescent teams are coordinating closely with the local authorities on the ground assessing the situation and providing support to the affected people. The situation is subject to further development as the impact of the earthquake is still being assessed.
\nThe Moroccan RC deployed 3 operations managers in the initial response.
\nIn Taroudant Province, 60 paramedics are on the ground. Services provided include evacuation, first aid, transporting the wounded to the hospital, psychological support, reducing panic, organizing with the authorities.
\n27 trained first aid volunteers were deployed in the tourist city of Marrakesh. Some of the visitors to the city are doctors and are currently volunteering to support in providing medical support to the injured in the area.
\nGLIDE Record (glidenumber.net)
\nThis report will be updated as the situation evolves and more information is provided.
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Please click here to view all IFRC interviews about the Moroccan earthquake.
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Overview
\r\nAn earthquake with a 6.8 magnitude shook Morocco on 8 September 2023, at 11 p.m. local time. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake originated at a depth of18.5km below the surface. Its epicentre was identified in the High Atlas Mountains, located 71km south-west of the city of Marrakesh, a major economic center.
\r\nThe earthquake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria’s Civil Defence agency. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude-4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The earthquake's aftershocks instilled fear among the survivors, forcing many to sleep in the streets. According to Reuters, the continued risk of landslides and the large distances involved complicated the rescue and relief efforts.The remote villages nestled in the High Atlas Mountains, right at the earthquake's epicentre, suffered substantial losses. Due to the blocked roads and the challenging terrain, emergency services faced difficulties in reaching the wounded.
\r\nRemote villages high in the Atlas Mountains, near the earthquake's epicenter, suffered substantial damage. The Moroccan search and rescue teams, with the support of teams from Spain, Britain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates stepped up a massive effort to bring relief to devastated mountain villages. This earthquake was the deadliest in Morocco since 2004. According to the national authorities, 2,946 people died while the amount of injured reached 5,674. It is estimated that 59,674 houses were destroyed or damaged. According to the ministry, 1,404 of the injured were in critical condition.
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Geographic priorities are hard to reach areas in:
\r\nHaouz Province
\r\nTaroudant Province
\r\nMarrakech-Safi Region
\r\nChichaoua Province
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Sectoral Needs:
\r\nFood Security and Livelihoods: 3.5 months post-earthquake, the market supply has returned to normal, but elevated prices persist due to the country's inflation, mirroring global economic trends. While some camp sites continue to receive food assistance from various organizations and the Government, those residing in remote mountain areas confront food shortages. On one hand, the initial wave of solidarity has dwindled, and on the other, families lack the means to purchase essential supplies. In these remote regions, families heavily rely on remittances sent by individuals (men) who had migrated to urban areas for employment. The earthquake prompted their return, jeopardizing their jobs, and they are hesitant to go back to the cities until their families are relocated to more secure shelters or their homes are rebuilt. They're going to stay until the breaking point, they said in Ighermane-Chichaoua Province.
\r\nAgricultural activities have resumed but farmers unusual weather patterns, such as delayed rains with no precipitation in mid-December (compared to the usual mid-November onset), this will disrupt the farming cycle. Compounding this issue is the inability to replace deceased animals due to challenges in providing adequate shelter, limited space near tent sites, and insufficient fodder.
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At present, priority for families is to stockpile food as the winter peak approaches (January/February). Access becomes challenging with roads rendered impassable due to snow and ice. As a result, securing sufficient provisions before winter sets in is crucial for their sustenance and survival.
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Health: Post-earthquake health care has improved, with emergency treatments provided for various ailments and PTSD. Al-Haouz's remote areas report multiple health concerns, while Marrakech's hospital system faces high demand. Health care workers struggle emotionally, and there's a significant need for logistical and psychological support. Data on affected populations remains inconsistent.
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Protection: The earthquake in Morocco disrupted communal living spaces, especially in Al Haouz, posing risks to privacy, especially for women, girls and children. Over 530 schools were damaged, placing approximately 100,000 children at elevated protection risk. While temporary tent classrooms provide a short-term solution, halted education exposes children to potential exploitation. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and marginalized individuals, face intensified vulnerabilities and require specialized protection, support, and safety measures. Efforts are being made by Moroccan associations to mitigate risks, especially for women and children.
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Shelter/NFIs: The earthquake severely impacted Al Haouz, Taroudant, Marrakech-Safi, and Chichaoua, with clay-constructed villages like Douar El Darb and Tizi Natast facing massive displacements. Traditional mud houses suffered the most, rendering many homeless, adding to a total of 59k houses damaged and 19k destroyed. Mountainous areas, particularly in Tinmel and Ouarzazate, urgently require tents, blankets, and warm clothing, underscoring the need for timely and equitable aid distribution.
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WASH: Following the earthquake, most mountains areas within the districts of El Houz, Chichaoua and Taroudant faced significant water disruptions, waternetwork and watertanks being broken by falling rocks. During first weeks, irrigation canals were used to provide low quality drinking water. Open air defacation was the solution used for sanitation. Three month after the earthquale, simple sanitation facilities were created by the community and brought by several organization includint Morocco Red Crescent, IFRC and other members of the RCRC movement. Demand for quality and quantity improveent of clear water, sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion is still high in most of the areas, particularly the most remoted valleys.
","translation_module_original_language":"en"}