ActionAid UK launches emergency Morocco earthquake appeal
Charity ActionAid UK has launched a Morocco earthquake emergency appeal to support communities most affected by the disaster.
The magnitude 6.8 quake late Friday damaged buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.
The official death toll from the earthquake was more than 2,000 people as of Sunday evening.
The total number of victims in the strongest quake to hit Morocco in 120 years will not be known until rescue workers complete the demanding journey to the remote mountain villages that were hardest hit.
ActionAid UK has launched an emergency appeal to help people in need of shelter, food and clothing.
Kirsten Sutherland, humanitarian programs coordinator at ActionAid Spain, which has worked in Morocco for more than 20 years, said many families had “lost everything.”
“In just a few minutes, hundreds of thousands of people’s lives were turned upside down,” she said.
“Many families have lost everything – their loved ones, their homes and their belongings. Damage to infrastructure hinders access to information and to affected communities, particularly in remote areas.
“Our goal is to support the communities most affected by the earthquake.”
The British government has sent 60 search and rescue specialists, four search dogs and rescue equipment to Morocco.
In addition, an emergency medical team was deployed to assess existing health capacity and the extent of the damage
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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK is sending immediate support to Morocco, including a team of 60 search and rescue specialists and four rescue dogs to support the rescue efforts.”
“I remain in contact with Foreign Minister Bourita and express my deepest condolences to the Moroccan people after this tragic event.”
University student Nawal Ait Idmou, 20, who lost friends in the earthquake, told the PA news agency she felt helpless but needed to “be strong” until she heard from her family members.
Ms Idmou said her family had no electricity and could not charge their mobile phones.
“It’s like we’re in a dream because we’re so far away from our families,” she said.
“People are dying, people we know, like our friends, and there is nothing we can do for them.
“There is no electricity at the moment. People’s phones are dead.
“I spoke to (my family) in the morning, but no one responded in the afternoon – my brother, my father, anyone in my family, no one knows what’s happening.”
She said aid was sparse, particularly medical supplies, and transporting supplies was difficult due to blocked roads and heavy traffic.