More than 3,000 people have lost their lives in Morocco as a result of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the southern part of the country on 9 September. Initial estimates confirm that more than 380,000 people have been affected and more than 5,000 injured, but the numbers will continue to grow as many areas are remote and rescue services have not yet been able to reach them.

 "The people and communities affected by the earthquake remain resilient and ready to overcome adversity. Sometimes one cannot help but wonder what sustains their hope amidst the rubble and in the face of the death of their loved ones. Alhamdulillah, they respond, as they discover your question in your eyes, as if to remind you that life is a gift and that they are still there, in pain but standing, ready to continue to be grateful for it". Alvar Sánchez SJ, from Morocco.

 Since 2015, Alboan and Entreculturas have been supporting the Diocesan Delegation for Migration (DDM) with projects to assist migrants in the north of the country, most of whom come from sub-Saharan African countries in conflict situations.

Different Types of Support Provided

 Our aim is to improve their socio-health conditions, with a special focus on the most vulnerable people on the migratory route: women, children and sick people. Specifically, we focus on:

• Social accompaniment: first reception to assess needs, demands and capacities and to distribute basic necessities (food, hygiene, mother and child kits)
• Accompaniment and medical assistance: in Nador, initial medical assistance is offered at the headquarters and medical assistance is provided in the camps through the displacement of a mobile unit. In all the sites, we also provide support for referrals to public health structures (health centres, hospitals). In some cases, coverage is also provided for consultations with specialists and/or the payment of medicines and tests.
• Legal/administrative support for civil registration procedures (births, deaths), for asylum cases and for people who wish to benefit from the voluntary return programme.
• Psychosocial support through workshops and spaces that enable the psychosocial rehabilitation of migrants.
• Safe residential spaces in which migrants in the most vulnerable situations: pregnant women, sick migrants, victims/survivors of violence of all kinds and traumatic events, are welcomed for a period of up to 3 months in emergency situations.

From the first moment after the earthquake, we have been assessing the situation with the DDM and the network of church organisations present in the country, in order to know first hand the needs of the affected population and to coordinate the emergency response.

As Alvar tells us, "the expressions of gratitude from those who have lost almost everything are delicate, simple, discreet. An old man prepares tea, a woman comes with some nuts, two young people offer a mat to sit on... In the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Marrakech, the parish community does what it can. Yesterday we went out to different valleys in nine cars, forming three caravans with food and basic necessities".

Your help is very important

https://emergencias-sj.org/emergencia-marruecos/