Al Haouz residents still await recovery aid three years post-earthquake

On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake devastated Morocco's Al Haouz region, claiming over 2,900 lives and injuring more than 5,500 people. As the three-year anniversary approaches, the impact of the disaster continues to be felt, with significant disparities in recovery efforts across affected communities. While some residents have successfully rebuilt their lives, others remain in limbo, struggling for recognition and assistance.

In the village of Ighermane, located about 50 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, many residents report a sense of progress. Mohamed Ait Belaid, 72, is among those who have benefited from state support, receiving 80,000 dirhams (approximately €7,300) to help rebuild. He supplemented this with his own savings, amounting to roughly 100,000 dirhams (€9,110). Ait Belaid now enjoys a new, albeit smaller, home and expresses gratitude for his family's health and well-being. In contrast, the town of Azgour, just 40 kilometers away, tells a different story. Larbi Ait Jelloulat, also 72, finds himself surrounded by rubble, grappling with bureaucratic obstacles that have hindered his recovery.

Ait Jelloulat's situation highlights the uneven recovery efforts in the region. Despite his years of service as a council employee and his investment in a large home that was destroyed, he feels abandoned by the system. He has faced challenges proving his residency, which he claims has delayed his access to support. In Azgour, only 76 out of 132 affected families have received assistance, leaving many still waiting for help. Ait Jelloulat's frustration is palpable as he questions the logic behind the bureaucratic hurdles he faces.

According to the High Atlas Development Agency, established in October 2023 to facilitate recovery, significant progress has been made overall. To date, 54,425 homes have been built or rehabilitated, with more than 3,000 still under construction. The Moroccan government has allocated over 7.2 billion dirhams (€656 million) to support affected families. However, as recovery efforts continue, the stark contrast between communities like Ighermane and Azgour raises questions about equity in disaster recovery. As the anniversary of the earthquake approaches, many residents are left wondering if they will ever receive the help they need.