The Devastating Earthquake in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains
TAFEGHAGHTE, Morocco: On a fateful Friday night, Hamid ben Henna and his family were enjoying a meal when Morocco’s most powerful earthquake in over a century struck. The earthquake, which occurred in the remote village of Tafeghaghte in the High Atlas mountains, claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, including young Marouane, ben Henna’s son.
The earthquake left the Ben Henna family devastated and destitute. Their traditional house collapsed, burying all their belongings under the rubble. With their home destroyed, they have been forced to spend nights outside in the bitter mountain cold. To make matters worse, ben Henna’s three-wheel moped, which he relied on for his livelihood, was also buried in debris and rendered useless.
In addition to their personal losses, the entire village of Tafeghaghte has been severely affected. Nearly 80 villagers lost their lives, and countless houses have been reduced to rubble. The aftermath of the earthquake has left families in dire circumstances, struggling to find shelter and basic necessities.
Survivors have gathered under olive trees in a small field, setting up makeshift shelters to protect themselves from aftershocks. However, even those whose homes remained standing are facing significant challenges. Fatima Boujdig and her husband, for instance, borrowed money to purchase a truck that was badly damaged during the earthquake. They now find themselves unable to repay their debt.
The destruction caused by the earthquake has also impacted the village’s livestock. While some animals survived, their feed was buried in a collapsed storeroom, leaving little option but to let them live despite the lack of refrigeration for any potential meat.
In the midst of this tragedy, the community is coming together to support one another. Ben Henna’s brothers traveled five hours from Casablanca to help lift the rubble and recover Marouane’s body. Similarly, survivors in the village are providing comfort and assistance to those in need.
However, the road to recovery will be long and challenging. The immediate focus is on providing shelter, food, and medical aid to the affected villagers. Organizations and individuals from across Morocco are rallying together to offer support and resources to those impacted by the earthquake.
As the days pass, efforts will shift towards rebuilding the village and helping families regain their livelihoods. It will require significant financial assistance and expertise to reconstruct homes, repair infrastructure, and revive local businesses.
The earthquake in Tafeghaghte serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and their devastating consequences. It highlights the importance of preparedness and resilience in vulnerable communities.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Morocco will undoubtedly learn valuable lessons about disaster management and response. The government will likely invest in better infrastructure and early warning systems to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.
For now, the focus remains on providing immediate relief to those affected by this catastrophic event. The Ben Henna family and the people of Tafeghaghte need support from both within Morocco and the international community to rebuild their lives and find hope amidst the rubble.
As the world watches, it is our collective responsibility to extend a helping hand to those in need. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the survivors and contribute to their journey towards recovery and resilience.