Morocco earthquake support

Over the last months and years, a few of us from Malta have had the privilege of experiencing Morocco through the eyes of one of Morocco's much-loved mountain guides, Noureddine, who has led many before and after us through the High Atlas Mountains' breath-taking range of landscapes, with each step letting us in on one of the oldest cultures of North Africa --the authentic culture of the indigenous people of Maghreb, or the Berbers.

During our treks, we encountered hundreds of Berber houses, Amazigh, built into the side of the hills using rocks and sun-dried clay bricks, forming remote villages, and throughout our journey, we were greeted and hosted by the incredibly generous and hospitable Berber people, with whom we stayed on various occasions. They let us into their homes, shared their food, their space, and their blankets at night.

These villages are some of the ones that have been hit the hardest by the recent earthquake, partly because these homes are simply not built to withstand the magnitude-6.8 earthquake, which was the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years. Many of them have collapsed and over 2000 individuals have lost their lives since the quake struck southwest of Marrakech, causing devastation to isolated villages surrounding the High Atlas Mountains.

Rescue teams are facing challenges in reaching the remote, affected areas, as well as the survivors of the earthquake. Nourredine and his family are safe, but many of the children who greeted us with their smiles, and their families, are not, while hundred of others, including Nour’s family, have been left homeless and living in tents.

Having left a part of our own hearts in the remote villages of the Atlas Mountains, we felt compelled to help in any way we can. We are starting by attempting to raise some awareness and funds to support Nourredine's daily work within the community.

This includes supplying blankets, warm clothes, food and medicine, and other immediate aid for those in need. It is for this that the funds raised here will be used.

Thank you. Your support will make a difference to the individuals and to a community who have truly lost everything.