Three years following the devastating earthquake, the rebuilding efforts in Morocco have shown progress, yet many affected individuals continue to live in tents, raising concerns about the adequacy of government assistance. On September 8, 2023, the Al Haouz region of Morocco was struck by a catastrophic earthquake that claimed the lives of over 2,900 people and injured more than 5,500, resulting in extensive destruction.
In the village of Ighermane, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, Mohamed Ait Belaid, a 72-year-old resident, expresses satisfaction with his current living situation. Initially residing in a tent after the earthquake, he now enjoys a newly constructed home, albeit smaller than his previous one. "I received partial government support of 80,000 Dirhams, which is around 7,300 Euros, for the reconstruction," he explained. "I also spent an additional 100,000 Dirhams, roughly 9,110 Euros, from my own savings. Thankfully, I like my new house and feel comfortable in it. I am relieved that my wife, children, and I are healthy, and I have not lost anyone."
Conversely, about 40 kilometers away in Azgour, the situation appears grim for 72-year-old Larbi Ait Jelloulat. He sits in front of the rubble that was once his home, expressing his frustration: "I want to know where my rights have gone. Who took what I was entitled to? For the past three years, I have been going from one authority to another, submitting complaints and petitions, just to receive a response. Why was I excluded? Am I not a citizen of Morocco?" Ait Jelloulat, a former municipal employee, had saved for years to build his large house, which was destroyed in 2023. Now, due to bureaucratic requirements, he must prove his residency in the area to qualify for assistance.
"My only dream was to spend the rest of my life in my own home and rest there after all my years of service," he lamented. "Now they say I do not reside here. Where is the logic in that?" In Ighermane, however, the reconstruction seems to be progressing more swiftly. Omar Saeed from the Association for Development and Solidarity in Ighermane reported that around 90 percent of the village has been rebuilt, and the lives of most residents have returned to normal. Out of approximately 150 families, 114 received government assistance, although many had to invest their own funds as well.
Azgour was among the hardest-hit areas by the earthquake, with only about 76 families receiving assistance for reconstruction, according to Ait Jelloulat. Another 56 families are still awaiting help. He added that those 76 families who have rebuilt their homes elsewhere are facing issues with water and electricity connections. According to the High Atlas Development Agency (ADHA), a total of 54,425 houses have been newly constructed or renovated, with over 3,000 more still in progress. Established in October 2023, the agency aims to coordinate aid in the affected regions.
As reported in a March statement, the government has disbursed more than 7.2 billion Dirhams, approximately 656 million Euros, to affected families, including reconstruction aid and monthly emergency payments. Architect Mohamed Belmejjad, based in Marrakech, views the pace of reconstruction positively. "Given the circumstances, I believe the progress made so far is commendable," he noted. He emphasized that many affected areas, especially remote mountain villages, were difficult to access immediately following the earthquake, necessitating the removal of debris before reconstruction could begin.
Additional challenges arose due to some villages being far from paved roads, complicating the transportation of building materials and debris. Ensuring water and electricity supply has also been problematic. Due to hazards such as landslides, entire villages and construction sites sometimes need to be relocated, while also adhering to local building traditions and using durable materials.
Belmejjad pointed out a significant lack of necessary expertise among architects, planning firms, construction companies, and laborers required for the rebuilding efforts. Despite these challenges, he stated that one could argue the reconstruction is ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, the National Coordination Office for the Victims of the Al Haouz Earthquake has received complaints from over 3,000 families who have not received any government support. Montasser Itri, a member of the organization, explained that some families have been excluded because they relocated for work to other parts of the country, resulting in their identification documents listing addresses that were not affected by the earthquake.
"The government is trying to reduce us, the victims of the Al Haouz earthquake, to mere statistics regarding the progress of construction and the dismantling of tents, instead of treating us as human beings with dignity," Itri stated. The coordination office is therefore calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the handling of aid by local authorities. During protests outside the parliament in Rabat, affected individuals demanded compensation and new housing, accusing local authorities of failing to fulfill their promises.
Others are now looking forward to the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 23. "Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch promised us a solution to the problem, and God knows we are waiting for it," said Fawzia Aliban, whose house in Amizmiz was damaged in the earthquake. "We hope the issues will be resolved, as I have been denied assistance even though my house is on the verge of collapse."
"Three years have passed, and no one has thought of us. Recently, however, some politicians have appeared and promised to resolve the issue," stated Mohamed Belkaid, who, along with his four children, is still living in a tent in the Amizmiz area. He did not receive support for reconstruction because he is registered as a tenant rather than an owner. He remains skeptical that this will change. "They promised to review our files and asked us to trust them and vote for them," he lamented. "If they genuinely wanted to resolve the issue, they would have done so long before the elections. Where have they been all these years?"
As reported by amp.dw.com.
