Morocco Earthquake Emergency Response - IBC

By October 2024, the International Blue Crescent (IBC) has concluded its Morocco Earthquake Emergency Response Phase. The Foundation marked its presence in the affected areas immediately after the EQ struck large parts of Morocco mainly Al Haouz region. During this phase we have been able to reach 24,700 affected people by distributing 730 emergency tents, 2155 food parcels, 1617 WASH items (mainly hygiene kits and mobile toilets) and 3060 NFI kits (solar lamps, mattresses, blankets, pillows, winterized clothes for kids and adults etc).

Currently, IBC is active in rfforts aiming to stabilize the situation and bring the lives of the affected people back to normal. In this respect, we have launched a capacity building gastronomy project for 20 Women from underserved backgrounds in Marrakech and its outskirts. After being trained, the project aims to connect these women to the job market and provide them with employment opportunities in their local communities to gain economic independence and live with dignity. 

The targeted women are aged 18 and above and face numerous challenges, including limited education, early marriages, divorce due to psychological and physical abuse, and an overall lack of systemic support. They fall into vulnerable categories of divorced, widowed, and or single mothers who need to support their children without much assistance from their family, community or state. Orphaned women and young women who have already dropped out of school and are at risk of entering abusive relationships or getting married due to a lack of opportunities are also included in the training. 

In this project, the selected women benefit from a 9-month hands-on intensive program offered by IBC and its implementing partner, Amal Women's Training Center Targa. The program focuses on culinary training, whereby the women learn how to cook in a professional setting, develop ic, improve communication in French and English, and develop empowering life skills. The training program aims to make the targeted women resilient to social shocks and transformthem into champions of their own lives. 

At the end of the training program, the women go for multiple internships at external restaurants and hotels. Following their internships, they will get jobs either within these hotels or in other hotels, restaurants, and riads in the Marrakech area. This opportunity will enable them to break free from the cycle of poverty, gender-based violence, and economic dependence so many women endure still.

After the training, IBC and its IP anticipate that the selected women will definitely learn new technical skills; cooking, as well as learn basic French and English to communicate with potential employers. Additionally, we expect trainees to become more self-confident and empowered thanks to the coaching and psychological sessions provided. We also anticipate 100% completion of the training program and 80% successful job placement for our women participants.  

The selected women will go through 11 rotations, each la to learn the following: Moroccan Cuisine, International Cuisine (Taiwanese, Lebanese, Italian, Indian, Chinese), Salads and starters, Moroccan and international Pastry, Bread and breakfast, Stock Management, Cooking Classes, Ramadan Goodies, Service, Cleaning, and Dish Washing. 

The training is well designed and is being delivered by a well-qualified and experienced team. The training stretches over o with nine months to cover all the training modules and the remaining three months to undergo an internship in in a hotel from the Accor chain. The training would he culminated i a Master Chef-style competition whereby the winning teams will be celebrated and given gifts in addition to achievement certificates. The course would be concluded by a job placement process. Under this process, the trainees would benefit from a workshop about Moroccan labor law and would be connected with potential employers. Finally, a follow-up mechanism is established with both the trainee on one hand and the employer on the other hand to ensure the stability of the job and to get to know the impact of the training on the living conditions of the trainees.

The gastronomy project is going on for now, however, IBC has finalized designing and funding three other livelihood projects due to start by January 2025.  The livestock, apiculture and food processing projects seek to restore hope and livelihoods of those who have been profoundly impacted by the 2023 Morocco Earthquake. They address the affected families’ needs b providing livestock, and beehives and optimizing the cultivation and profits from local crop sales.

Overall, these initiatives will not only help families recover economically but also promote self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of future challenges. By building the capacity of women in a difficult situation and supporting livestock, apiculture, and crop sales; these projects aim to create a more stable and prosperous livelihood for the affected communities.

Links:

• HEROIC WOMEN OF MOROCCO