On September 8th, 2023, a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck mountain-circled communities in Morocco, around 70 kilometres south of Marrakesh. Nearly 3000 people died and over 5000 people were injured, with many having been trapped under the crumbled debris of their homes. The remoteness and high altitude of the communities affected by the earthquake made it difficult for humanitarian aid and disaster relief to reach those in need quickly, and older people were especially vulnerable as colder weather approached.
Our delivery partner, HelpAge International, worked with local community organizations in Morocco – Action for Humanity and Scouts of Morocco – who identified the individuals and families who were in the greatest need of aid, and with their support, we delivered winterization kits to 120 families. These kits included heaters, solar lamps, and warm winter clothing, to safeguard older people and their families from the cold through the region’s fast approaching winter season.
“In Talat N’wargh, the hardest season is winter because of the rain and snow… These items [that HelpAge gave us] made a big difference in our daily lives.”
“The earthquake turned our lives upside down. We lost our home and belongings, and the cold weather made it even harder to survive. It’s been a challenging time for us all. We express our gratitude for the help that this winter pack will provide us at this time of the year.”
To discover more of our Global Response campaigns and learn how you can help older people around the world, please visit our Global Programs page.