**AMIZMIZ, Morocco** — For the third consecutive night, the people of Marrakech in Morocco took to the streets to sleep, seeking refuge from the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has left the nation in shock. As soldiers and international aid teams mobilize to reach the remote mountain towns most affected by the disaster, concerns arise over the sustainability of consumer spending in supporting the local economy.
The earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, has claimed the lives of over 2,100 people so far, with that number expected to rise. The United Nations estimates that approximately 300,000 people have been directly affected by the quake. In response to international offers of assistance, Moroccan officials have decided to accept aid from just four countries: Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Moroccan authorities have carefully assessed the situation on the ground, recognizing the importance of coordination in such cases,” said the Interior Ministry in a statement. Amidst the arrival of some foreign search-and-rescue teams, frustrations grow as other aid teams remain waiting for the government’s official request for assistance.
Arnaud Fraisse, founder of Rescuers Without Borders, expressed his team’s frustration, stating, “We know that time is of the essence in saving lives and searching for survivors trapped under the rubble. However, we are unable to deploy and help due to the lack of an official request for our assistance.”
The town of Amizmiz has experienced a slow response to aid efforts. A significant portion of the town, with its orange and red sandstone brick homes carved into the mountainside, has been destroyed. The collapse of a mosque’s minaret further exacerbates the devastation. Villagers swept away rubble from the main road and celebrated the arrival of trucks filled with soldiers, but they appealed for more assistance, emphasizing the lack of ambulances and police presence.
Many of those affected by the earthquake have taken to sleeping outside, fearing aftershocks or due to the destruction of their homes. In Marrakech, people slept in the streets, while in hard-hit Atlas Mountain towns like Moulay Brahim, residents sought shelter under impromptu canopies. The greatest concern lies in the damage sustained by hard-to-reach communities and rural areas that rely on unpaved roads now covered by fallen rocks.
On Sunday, a magnitude 3.9 aftershock rattled the region, causing further panic among those already living in unstable buildings. The extent of the new damage or casualties is still unclear. In an area where mud-based construction is common, the earthquake highlighted the vulnerability of buildings that were not built to withstand such a powerful tremor.
The epicenter of the earthquake was near Ighil in Al Haouz Province, approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. The region is renowned for its picturesque villages and valleys nestled in the High Atlas Mountains. Each town along the treacherous roads of the High Atlas now bears the weight of the disaster, with homes crumbling and locals grieving for the loss of loved ones.
Flags across Morocco have been lowered, and King Mohammed VI has declared three days of national mourning. The military has dispatched search and rescue teams, and the king has ordered the delivery of water, food, and shelter for those who have lost their homes. Additionally, mosques have been instructed to hold prayers in memory of the victims.
Although Morocco has accepted aid from a select few countries, including Spain and Britain, the nation has not yet made an international appeal for assistance, unlike Turkey, which did so following a recent earthquake. Nevertheless, aid offers continue to pour in from around the world, and the United Nations is coordinating international support efforts. Rescuers Without Borders revealed that approximately 100 teams, consisting of 3,500 rescuers, are ready to deploy in Morocco once requested.
The devastation caused by the earthquake has prompted a collective response from nations worldwide. Spain has dispatched a search-and-rescue team to Marrakech, en route to the rural town of Talat N’Yaaqoub. France has also sent a rescue team from Nice. The Czech Republic has responded by sending 70 trained rescue team members, while Germany has prepared a team of over 50 rescuers.
The earthquake, the strongest to hit Morocco in over a century, has claimed the lives of 2,122 people, with at least 2,421 others injured. The Al Haouz district in the High Atlas Mountains has been the hardest hit, accounting for most of the casualties. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, as the threat of aftershocks continues to loom over the unstable region.
As the people of Morocco grapple with the immense loss and devastation, the international community comes together to offer support and assistance. The road to recovery will undoubtedly be long and challenging, but with unity, resilience, and strength, the nation will rebuild and move forward.
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