MARRAKECH, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 – The humanitarian organization CARE Morocco has started distributing relief items to families in the Atlas Mountains that were affected by the September 8 earthquake. The organization is planning to reach 50,000 people.
“For many years, we have been working with these same communities, supporting their development, the financial independence of women, and the education of small children,” said Hlima Razkaoui, CARE Morocco National Director. “Today, and in close coordination with the Moroccan authorities, we are standing with them at their time of great need and will remain by their side as they recover from this devastating earthquake and restart their lives.”
Yesterday’s distribution reached the people of Outghal village, part of the Aghouatim commune, two hours by road from the regional capital Marrakech. Outghal, which lies 145 km from the earthquake’s epicenter, was heavily hit, with over 70 per cent of homes either destroyed or seriously damaged. The families, many of whom still sleep out in the open, received blankets, food, water, and hygiene kits.
“Many of those we’ve been working with have also lost livelihoods-farmers, tailors, small-scale producers of olive oil or soap,” Ms Razkaoui added. “We will support them as they restart their economic activities, with particular attention to women and girls.”
CARE Morocco has also started providing psychological support, given that the disaster had a huge mental health impact on the affected populations. The organization plans to reach some 50,000 people with both short-term relief items and longer-term support for recovery and reconstruction.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake was the most powerful in Morocco in over a century and the deadliest since 1960. Its death toll currently stands at nearly 3,000 with over 5,600 wounded.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
CARE has been working in Morocco since 2008, established under Moroccan law as an explicitly apolitical, independent and non-denominational organization. In Morocco, CARE’s mission is to support individuals and families from deprived communities, promoting equal access to economic opportunities. Our programming focuses on three main areas: education, economic empowerment and governance. CARE works extensively in Al Haouz, one of the cities that was most impacted by Friday’s earthquake.
CARE has spokespeople available. For media inquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
CARE Canada
media@care.ca
About CARE Canada:
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package ℠, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE puts women and girls at the centre of our work because we know we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE develops solutions alongside women and girls to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty and out of crisis. CARE works in over 100 countries around the world.
To learn more about CARE Canada, visit care.ca.