On September 8, 2023, an earthquake left more than 2,900 dead and 5,500 injured in the provinces of Al Haouz, Azilal, Chichaoua, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant. The tremors caused significant damage to homes and key infrastructure, especially in rural areas where homes collapsed and roads became impassable. Communities grieved the tragic loss of life and destruction of years of work.
Immediately, thousands of families urgently needed food, water, and shelter. Within ten days, we were able to procure, transport, and distribute supplies to 69 villages, supplying over 3,800 households with tents, blankets, mattresses, and food supplies. Our initial distribution work provided opportunity for real-time needs assessments, and we gathered extensive data with community leaders to inform the direction of our response.
In the months following the earthquake, we've developed a dynamic relief program with communities and global partners. These partnerships have allowed us to continue distribution of food and other supplies, initiate group-based psychosocial therapy for trauma response, build intermediate shelters as an alternative to tent housing, and begin construction on water infrastructure.
Our multi-year strategy is simply a continuation of our long-term partnerships with communities across Morocco. Our water and agricultural infrastructure projects are ongoing, and we hope to support farmers and rural cooperatives as they rebuild their livelihoods. We will continue to advance women's well-being through access to legal aid and literacy programs, and co-develop strategies for financially viable, healthy, and resilient communities.