Earthquake in Morocco (Final)
Morocco had the biggest earthquake in 60 years and at the time of writing, this earthquake has caused more than 2,000 casualties. The earthquake was 6.8 on the scale of magnitude.
The earthquake destroyed houses and buildings in the High Atlas Mountains. Some areas high in the mountains are difficult for emergency services to reach. Not all roads are equally passable, so it takes a while for emergency responders to get to certain places. Some places can only be reached by helicopter.
The Washington Post highlights the situation in Morocco, “In the small town of Amizmiz (approximately 55 kilometers south of Marrakesh), buildings were still collapsing on Sunday afternoon, almost 40 hours after the earthquake on Friday evening. Traces of the stuff from the former residents could be seen in some houses. For example, in the ruins of the ceiling on the second floor: velvet blankets, suitcases, and rugs.”
The Moroccan government has deployed the military to lead search and rescue efforts in affected areas, while other aid groups are busy setting up shelters for residents who have lost their homes or for those unable to return home due to structural damage or fear of aftershocks.
In the Netherlands, a group of almost 200 Moroccan-Dutch doctors have said that they want to help in Morocco. Ali Lahdidioui, chairman of the Association of Moroccan Doctors in the Netherlands (AMAN), made a post on Linkedin to see how many doctors would like to help in Morocco. So, there was a lot of response to this.
Ali Lahdidioui told the NOS, “Contact has been made with the authorities and we are currently waiting for the green light to further develop these plans.” He also says that it is difficult to have to wait because you know that people can already use your help.
Lahididiou added, “As a physician organization, we have decided to act thoughtfully and do what we do best: provide appropriate and adequate medical care.”
Lahdidioui and his colleagues from AMAN are currently considering semi-acute assistance. They say that the hospitals are there for trauma care. They also say that they know from previous disasters that there are shortages of basic needs: food, hygiene, and water. There is a high risk of infections, and they want to provide support in this regard.
As soon as there is a green light, doctors will go to Morocco to provide help in the affected areas. The Washington Post says, “Help has been offered to Morocco from all over the world. For example, a group from the European Union was ready to help Morocco and an assessment team from the United States is also in Morocco to assist the Moroccan government where necessary.”
In another story about the earthquake, the NOS talks to Coach Ramzi who has experienced the earthquake in Morocco up close. Ramzi is the coach of the Moroccan top club Wydad AC. He lives in the coastal city of Casablanca because of his work, but his family comes from Marrakech, a city north of the epicenter. The earthquake killed Ramzi’s aunt and her children.
On Saturday morning, Ramzi canceled the practice of his soccer team via his soccer team’s group app and took care of his players and staff. In an NOS article, Ramzi says, “Everyone had gone out at night, one of my players only returned home at 11 am in the morning because he was afraid. Then you don’t practice.”
Ramzi believes that now is the time to stand up. He believes that rich people should take responsibility. How does he do that himself? Just like the national team, he has decided to donate blood and on Monday he will visit the club to see what they can do financially.
The NOS article explains that the national team would play a match the next day, but the match between Morocco and Liberia in the qualification for the African Cup has therefore been canceled. According to the Moroccan association, the decision was taken in consultation with the African Football Federation. Instead of playing a match, a large part of the selection donated blood. They did this through a call from the Moroccan government to donate blood for the many people that are injured.