More than 1,000 dead after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake strikes near Marrakesh on Friday, September 8, 2023. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the High Atlas mountains less than 45 miles from Marrakesh, an ancient city that is home to around 840,000 people. Morocco’s state media has reported more than 1,000 people dead, with another 1,000 injured and approximately 720 people in critical condition – although these numbers are all expected to grow, as search and rescue efforts expand. Buildings throughout Marrakesh’s densely populated, labyrinthine streets began to crumble immediately, including many of high cultural and historical significance.
CARE already has a presence in the earthquake-affected areas of Morocco, and we are ready to support the Moroccan authorities as they lead emergency operations, by shifting our existing programs to respond to urgent and growing needs.
Our first priority will be to provide hot meals, safe water supply, emergency shelter and medical support to families that have been impacted by the earthquake. As the situation on the ground evolves, CARE will adapt our response strategy to ensure that we can provide timely, culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive assistance to families in need. Earthquake-affected families have suffered not only a physical toll, but also a mental one. People near the epicenter of the earthquake experienced severe trauma, and they will require psychosocial support.
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 seeks to raise $10 million to provide lifesaving assistance to families and individuals affected by the earthquake, and to support the medium- and long-term recovery of the region.
This earthquake is the strongest to hit Morocco in more than 120 years and has affected more than 1.8 million people. The full extent of the damage caused remains to be seen, but CARE is prepared to deliver critical aid and support families as they are forced to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
On behalf of the vulnerable families impacted by this devastating earthquake, we thank you for your generous support for the CARE Morocco Earthquake Response Fund.
