Three months later Halime coming home for the first time. Upon arrival, the silhouette of the olive tree guarding the entrance of the building rises in desolate silence; now in rubble. The woman takes the key from her pocket and inserts it into the lock of the main door. The only element of the house still intact. It has no roof and barely any of the concrete walls hold up, but Halime refuses to lose her traditions. For him, it’s still his home.
Halime was one of 300 people who arrived at the scene in the early morning hours of September 9. He lost his house in Azro; A town in Al Haouz province Marrakech-Safi. The second deadliest earthquake in history MoroccoThe earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, shook the mountain range. High Atlas, It killed 3,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless. The people, who are waiting to receive the aid promised by the Moroccan Government, are now taking shelter in temporary camps from misery and the arrival of the cold.
Since then, cultivation terraces in the High Atlas valleys They were filled with tents: Some by the Government, others by NGOs, and others are the result of the creativity and skills of those living in the area. branches, bricks and plastic sheetsThey managed to build small dwellings intended to be temporary.
Blankets are the first necessity
Khadija and Sarah, aged 17 and 20, live with their parents and younger brother in their small shop, which measures only 10 square metres. “I haven’t slept for nights, the cold hinders me“, complains Sarah. Meanwhile, a minibus arrives at the temporary camp set up by the residents of this village. An unusual event that creates expectation and uncertainty among the neighbors. “No one has been here for months, we are forgotten“emphasizes the young woman.
Ashid Bahl, founder of the Canadian NGO Child Love Foundation. Humanitarian aid to children around the world. He brings dozens of boxes full of things with him oil, water and blanket. Within minutes, a crowd surrounds the temporary mosque that intensifies and energizes life in Azro. Smiles and hopeful looks are watered down in a sea of tears and anxiety. The initial illusion turned into a grueling struggle of pushing, throwing rocks, and slapping. Everyone wants a blanket. This is the face of cold despair.
Hygiene and education
They settled in some villages portable toilets to guarantee the hygiene of its residents. But in many countries like Azro, this essential aid has not yet arrived. “We have to walk an hour to the nearest town, Tahnaout. There are paid showers and bathroomsbut we can’t always afford it,” explains Sarah.
The school is located in this city and is now housed in a tent where the youth of this town go. The Moroccan Ministry of Education made predictions after the earthquake. 1,050 education centers were damaged. “Since that time, We are going to class for a few days.“says Khadija. Two young women warn that many teachers were affected by the earthquake and therefore did not teach. This situation was further worsened by the earthquake. teachers strike It was convened following a recent reform approved by the Moroccan Ministry of Education.
They use social networks to continue their education during the days they stay in town. Some Moroccan teachers via Instagram and YouTube publish online lessons This vehicle became a shelter for Sara and Hatice for students who could not go to the centers. For these two young women They claim they have not yet received help from the GovernmentThe only way to escape the hell they have been living in for three months is their lessons.
Depression invades families
On the outskirts of the city amismaticA group of children play on a mountain of rubble, 60 kilometers from Marrakesh. Some use wooden shelves as swords, while others scare an imaginary monster hiding among the ruins of a house.
Across the street, Hicham watches his children carry a car with a white awning. They’re building what’s to be new homes until they save their homes. Following the earthquake, the Moroccan Government announced an aid package for the reconstruction of affected houses. In this way, it is planned to provide aid support to families who have partially or completely lost their homes. 80,000 to 140,000 dirhams (7,000 to 13,000 euros) to rehabilitate their homes. Additionally, the Moroccan Administration announced that it would provide grants. financial support of 2,500 dirhams (230 euros) per month For one year per family.
Although it’s hard to accept, Hicham has lost hope of rebuilding his now partially destroyed house: “Nobody tells us anything“I don’t know when I’ll get help.” The man also regrets that the planned amount will only cover 35% of the total cost of rehabilitating his home.
Hicham has taken care of his three children since the earthquake shook their town. His wife fell into depression. who has kept it in the store ever since. “Many people feel a persistent fear triggered by seemingly ordinary sounds, such as the sounds of cars and trucks,” emphasizes Fatima Zaobair, volunteer at the NGO CorpsAfrica. A sense of terror that creates reluctance to return home. “Despite the unfavorable climate and living conditions, They prefer to stay in tents because they are afraid “If they return to their homes, their homes may be completely destroyed,” he adds.