Loay Elmagri found himself in a state of panic when he received no response from his relatives in Derna, Libya. As a Libyan architect residing in Washington, D.C., Elmagri was aware of the devastating floods that had recently struck the city, destroying a significant portion of it. One of his maternal aunts had been trapped in her home as the storms began, and she shared with Elmagri the terrifying experience of floodwater rushing into her room, causing the water levels to rapidly rise, ultimately reaching the point where her head touched the ceiling. Fortunately, she was rescued through a window just in time.
Despite surviving the ordeal, Elmagri emphasized that his family was among the fortunate ones. In Derna and Morocco, two natural disasters occurred over the past month, resulting in the tragic deaths of thousands. In Libya, torrential rains caused by tropical storm Daniel led to the collapse of two dams, unleashing enormous waves of water that swept through the eastern part of the country. The aftermath left nearly 20,000 people feared dead and entire neighborhoods submerged in the Mediterranean Sea.
Similarly, Morocco experienced a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake on September 8. The quake claimed the lives of over 2,900 people and left tens of thousands homeless, particularly in rural towns in the southwest. Both Libya and Morocco are in desperate need of international aid and search and rescue teams as the death toll continues to rise. Families across the United States are anxiously attempting to contact their loved ones and ascertain their safety.
Jowhar Ali, a Libyan journalist from Derna now based in Istanbul, expressed his anguish over the continuous discovery of bodies in the city. He lamented the potential long-term impact on Derna’s reputation, fearing that future online searches would yield images of floods and dead bodies instead of showcasing the city’s rich culture, poetry, theater, and art.
Ali shared the heartbreaking story of his brother and his young sons, who ventured into Derna to assess the damage but instead found themselves covering lifeless bodies with whatever sheets they could find.
He likened the devastation to imagining New York City disappearing within hours, with entire neighborhoods vanishing, rendering the city irreparable and uninhabitable. President Joe Biden extended his heartfelt condolences and pledged emergency relief to Libya. However, Ciaran Donnelly of the International Rescue Committee highlighted the challenges faced by relief efforts due to Libya’s fragile infrastructure, political instability, and the rapid effects of climate change. Donnelly emphasized the importance of acknowledging the individuals affected by these natural disasters and their ongoing struggle to survive.
As for Morocco, numerous nations, including the United States, have offered assistance, but the country’s government has been slow in facilitating the entry of international aid. Moroccan citizens are frustrated with the authorities’ response and have taken matters into their own hands, coordinating efforts to help those affected by the earthquake. The Moroccan American Recreational and Organizational Council (MAROC), a cultural organization based in New Jersey, has partnered with local mosques and charitable organizations to raise funds for the earthquake victims.
Yassine Elkaryani, the president of MAROC, shared his family’s harrowing experience during the earthquake. Even though they were nearly 300 miles away from the epicenter, the terror drove them out of their home, fearing its collapse. The trauma of the event propelled people to unite in solidarity and offer whatever assistance they could, reflecting the exceptional generosity of Moroccans despite their own financial constraints.
Additionally, Nashwa Lina Khan, a Moroccan American Ph.D. student, expressed concerns about the heightened risks of trafficking and exploitation faced by vulnerable groups, especially girls, in the aftermath of the earthquake. The marginalized and impoverished communities already faced neglect, and this disaster exacerbates their struggles.
The indigenous Amazigh population, residing primarily in the Atlas mountains, experienced the greatest impact, with entire villages wiped out. Women and girls in these remote areas encounter unique challenges in accessing resources, finding shelter, and relocating away from the mountainous regions for their safety.
While larger towns have set up government-issued tents and makeshift hospitals, the Amazigh people rely on donations left on the side of the road, further accentuating their isolation and neglect. Khan emphasized that Morocco is often perceived as a vacation destination, but the reality is that the population consists of individuals with varying means, and moments like these expose the vulnerability of those in precarious situations.
The situation in Libya and Morocco is dire, with an urgent need for international support to aid in rescue and recovery.
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