Support High Atlas community earthquake resilience

In the aftermath of the earthquake in the High Atlas region, efforts to assist the affected communities are in full swing. Assessments of water infrastructure have been completed in the Imegdal and Ighil Communes as part of the recovery phase of the Earthquake relief efforts conducted in the High Atlas. Unfortunately, many water reservoirs, canals and Sagias were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake, halting the communities that relied on them just before the planting season.

The assessment included a thorough evaluation of the infrastructure of the reservoirs, the number of douars (villages) and households benefiting from them, and the surface area of agricultural terraces covered. Our goal is to plan and guide the reconstruction of these vital water reservoirs, enabling local communities to become more resilient in the post-earthquake period.

Working hand-in-hand with our local partners, significant progress has been made in various initiatives. In water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) actions, showers and toilets have been assembled for five villages in the Ighil Commune. Simultaneously, the douars of Aït Hssain, Izilalen, and Taourirt in the Imegdal Commune have received fodder for their livestock.

In addition to the accomplished initiatives, it is crucial to highlight that the interventions undertaken will continue to have a substantial impact on the affected communities. Ongoing planning and assessments are underway to determine the most effective ways to extend support and benefit the communities on a larger scale. We remain committed to the long-term recovery and well-being of the communities in the High Atlas, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the sustained improvement of their lives. Your continued support is instrumental in making these endeavours successful, and we look forward to further enhancing the positive outcomes for the communities in need.

The past two weeks have been marked by the successful implementation of actions to assist villagers and support towards working animals.

In collaboration with SPANA and local associations of the villages in the Ighil Commune, more than 140 tons of animal feed were distributed across a total of 29 villages in Ighil. This effort has benefited nearly 500 working animals in the douars of Ighil, Tassila, Bouhalbak, Ourzdin, Taourirt (Nait Salh), Amerzagan, Izaran, Ouddfit, Tadafalte, Tiguerte, Tizi N’tiguerte, Amskerajn, Aguerd, Ait Chrah, Tizirt, Tazeghzaoute, Tamzaman,Tanfghikht, Aghalla, Tamsoulte, Taourirte, Aoudid, Arg, Timslah, Asloune, Tirkht, Tachaoukst, Agadir and Alous.

In addition, through a partnership with Morocco Animal Aid, we delivered over 400 bales of drief alfalfa across 8 villages in Ighil and 6 villages in Imegdal to support fodder supplies for local livestock. The village of Aguerd alone has 40 cows and the animals in High Atlas communities provide an important source of income as well as food supplies (e.g. milk, butter, cheese).

Additionally, winter clothes distributions have been completed to provide comfort in the Al Haouz region. This time, a collection of winter clothes has been distributed to the villages of Ouddift and Izaran in the Ighil Commune, aiming to bring warmth during the freezing winter season.

We want to thank our GlobalGiving donors for your enduring support in helping communities in need and contributing to the reconstruction of the High Atlas.

We also wish you a wonderful holiday season if you are celebrating and all the best. Thank you for being here.