The Marrakesh-Safi Earthquake
On September 8, 2023, at 11:11 pm local time, a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco, killing at least 2,960 people and injuring thousands more. The quake’s epicentre was in Al Haouz province in the High Atlas Mountains, about 75 kilometres southwest of Marrakesh, Morocco’s fourth largest city, known for its rich history and its diverse and vibrant culture. The earthquake was the largest to hit Morocco in more than a century and the deadliest in the country since 1960 when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of over 12,000 people. While the causes of the earthquake are still being investigated, experts believe that the quake resulted from a geological phenomenon known as “reverse faulting”, which occurs when tectonic plates (in this case, the African and Eurasian plates) collide.
The effects of the earthquake have been devastating. According to official government estimates, the earthquake impacted 2,8 million people in 2,930 villages and 163 municipalities, representing 68 per cent of all municipalities in the affected areas. 59,674 buildings were damaged, of which 32 per cent were fully destroyed. In Marrakesh, historic sites, including the 12-century Kutubiyya mosque and parts of the city’s famous red walls, were damaged. Yet, it was the traditional mud-brick houses in the remote villages of the Amazigh-speaking Atlas Mountains that suffered the most damage, leaving thousands of families and children vulnerable and in need of urgent shelter and support.
The Amazigh communities of Morocco, due to their historical marginalisation, have been particularly susceptible to the repercussions of natural disasters. As a minority population in a primarily Arab country, the Imazighen have been largely neglected by state development efforts. As a result, many Amazigh villages lack basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, water supply, and health care facilities. Not only does this make the Amazigh more vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks, but it has also inhibited the ability of humanitarian actors to provide assistance to the earthquake’s victims. While aid was quick to reach the larger towns and cities in the affected regions, aid workers have struggled to reach survivors in remote areas. The ensuing critique led the government to step up efforts to address the needs of rural communities affected by the quake and to provide them with the necessary support.
Still, while immediate needs are being addressed, longer-term needs must also be considered. The World Bank estimates that the economic losses arising from the quake could be as high as 8 per cent of Morocco’s gross domestic product. In a country where income inequality is already the highest in North Africa, the earthquake could lead to the long-term displacement of communities, disrupt social structures, and cause livelihood losses, exacerbating inequality further. The development of a long-term strategy for social and economic security must therefore be a top priority for government and civil society actors.
Finally, the earthquake has had a particularly significant impact on children. UNICEF estimates that 100,000 children have been impacted by the earthquake’s devastation, leaving them vulnerable to harm and exploitation. Young girls in particular are at risk of forced marriage and sexual exploitation, and reports from the affected areas suggest that isolated incidents of sexual assault and abuse have already taken place. It is therefore vital that the response to this crisis includes a strategy for the protection of children and adolescents from the physical and psychological traumas provoked by the quake.
Image Credits: Lucien Mahin - Edited by GorStra Team.