![MBLA's Director on what motivates the team's work]()
MBLA's Director on what motivates the team's work
Today’s cover image, a 2022 video still of Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA) Executive Director Rachid, speaks to why the teams does what it does. In seeking images to share with you of GDF and MBLA's shared work, we want to complement the images of destruction, of the aid we are providing, and the enormous challenges communities are facing, with other, different ones.
These images will convey glimpses of the dignity, knowledge, determination and resilience that High Atlas Communities possess: that they know how to create, and recreate. Our team, and your support, will help that knowledge to guide our efforts, and will enable theirs.
These images will also give you context for our efforts: today included some aerial shots from our photo archive. They help to explain why the plant nurseries—some built on flat, open ground, and organized to enable sapling and plant distribution—have become sites where people are receiving, coordinating and distributing aid, sheltering and regrouping.
What we did today
- Our team visited the 36 families from Awrigh village that are currently camping in Imegdal plant nursery (see pre-quake images of the nursery, below), to assess their specific needs and distribute the following supplies:
Solar Lamps, 5 units; Sandals; Tents, 3 units; Electricity Cable, 100 metres.
- We also arranged for volunteers to distribute supplies in Agured Village, Oukaïmeden. (See images of our plant nursery there, below). Supplies delivered: Blankets, 48; Mattresses: 25 (see images); Warm clothing; Sandals
What we learned
- We then visited Tiniskt and Ifghan villages to assess the extent of devastation in the area. In Ifghan, the houses are completely inhabitable, with 60 households currently living in tents or in the open. Thankfully, there have been no reported deaths in the village, but they have lost 90% of their livestock and seed storage.
Supplies Delivered: One big tent; Solar lamps; Sandals.
- The most pressing present needs are toilets, tents (see images) and plastic coverings to protect against the weather. We are working with various suppliers and donors to arrange these, and with community representatives to assess where and how shelter and sanitation facilities can be set up.
Partners and collaborations
- We are working with the international humanitarian Aerial Recovery team to send medical caravans on future trips ,and with recognized Marrakesh architectural firm Archimath to assess how houses can be rebuilt using paraseismic techniques and local materials. We are also collecting fodder from various places to be distributed from next week to support livestock.
Images
1. MBLA Director Rachid on what motivates the team’s work. Source: 2022 MBLA video still, YouTube.
2. In another image from the same vide, Imegdal nursery manager and community researcher Hamid speaks to the challenge of creating the plant nursery now sheltering families in Imegdal, where he is now coordinating aid efforts.
3. image of an aid delivered to Imegdal early in our response. Source: (MBLA Instagram, mbla.morocco)
4. Mattresses our Agadir-based team acquired on 13 Sep 23, now being distributed. Source: MBLA IG, mbla.morocco.
5. High Atlas communities built on rocky hillsides preserve flatter, fertile valley floors near water sources for agriculture. (2022 video still, Anamer village, Imegdal rural commune).
![Hamid, 2022. Imegdal nursery now shelters families]()
Hamid, 2022. Imegdal nursery now shelters families
![Initial supplies delivered to Imegdal villages]()
Initial supplies delivered to Imegdal villages
![Supplies moving: we delivered 25 mattresses today]()
Supplies moving: we delivered 25 mattresses today
![Hillside homes left flat, fertile land open for ag]()
Hillside homes left flat, fertile land open for ag