News & Events
2023/09/13
Morocco Earthquake is a Marathon Humanitarian Rescue Operation
The Moroccan Red Crescent providing psychosocial support and first aid services to affected communities. /MaMrcs
On the night of September 8, 2023 Morocco was struck by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake. This earthquake has been the most severe in the country since 2004, and many affected areas are remote and challenging for rescue teams to reach. Morocco's national television reported that the death toll has risen to 2,862 people, with an additional 2,562 injured. The earthquake destroyed shelters and homes, leaving many people homeless and forcing survivors to sleep on the streets. The survivors are physically and emotionally exhausted, deeply traumatized by the disaster.
"This emergency response is a marathon, not a sprint: people affected by the earthquake will need support for weeks and months to come", said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the IFRC.
IFRC immediately allocated 1 million Swiss Francs from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the emergency relief efforts of the Moroccan Red Crescent. Subsequently, they launched an emergency appeal to raise 100 million Swiss Francs to further expand the relief efforts of the Moroccan Red Crescent (MaMrcs). This funding will provide basic life assistance, shelter, and resilience-building for the most vulnerable and severely affected population of 500,000 people. The allocated resources will be utilized as follows,
Basic life necessities
• Providing essential assistance through the distribution of in-kind relief items, such as food, essential household items, and shelter support to those in need, including displaced individuals (IDPs) and host communities.
• Providing cash assistance and physical resources for livelihood recovery, such as seeds, tools, and materials.
• Establishing disaster preparedness and mitigation mechanisms to reduce disaster risk.
Health & Care including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
• Providing healthcare services that meet the urgent needs of affected communities.
• Making efforts to ensure clean and safe water sources in disaster-affected areas.
• Supplying sanitation facilities and restoring infrastructure as necessary.
Psychological Support
• Offering care to the affected communities, providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to alleviate the suffering caused by the earthquake. This includes addressing issues such as the loss of loved ones, displacement, various stressors, anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, and other related challenges.
Protection and Prevention
• Conducting protection, gender, and inclusion (PGI)-informed multi-sector needs assessments to ensure safe and equitable access to basic services by considering different needs based on gender and other diversity factors, such as disability and impairment.
• Enhancing the delivery of services aimed at reestablishing family links (RFL) and implementing community-focused care and protection measures for unaccompanied and separated children, as well as individuals with unique requirements.
• Actively promoting community participation throughout the entire operation.
• Actively promoting community participation throughout the entire operation.
•Providing insurance coverage and a support system for volunteers, along with additional safety measures like protective gear and equipment to ensure both access and safety.
A devastating earthquake has struck Morocco, resulting in the loss of lives and homes for many people. They are in urgent need of our assistance.
Please Donate to Support for the Morocco Earthquake, and earmark 'Morocco Earthquake'.
Bank Name: HUA NAN COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD. HO PING BRANCH
Account No.:121-10-007222-7
Account Name: The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China
SWIFT Code: HNBKTWTP121
Tel: +886-2-2700-2405
Fax: +886-2-2709-9230
Bank Address: NO.93, HO PING EAST ROAD, SEC. 2, TAIPEI, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
Providing essential assistance through the distribution of in-kind relief items, such as food, essential household items, and shelter support to those in need, including displaced individuals (IDPs) and host communities/IFRC
Moroccan Red Crescent Society is working around the clock to provide relief amidst so much devastation/IFRC
This emergency response is a marathon, not a sprint: people affected by the earthquake will need support for weeks and months to come
Morocco is in urgent need of our assistance!