Morocco Earthquake Response Fund

Morocco Earthquake: Two Years On  

With your support, we have been able to continue helping families in the High Atlas Mountains affected by the earthquake that struck parts of Morocco in September 2023. The past six months has seen our efforts firmly transition to long-term recovery, strengthening infrastructure and rebuilding schools.

We have worked in close collaboration with the Asni commune and provided support for the villages of Tansghart, Imi Oughlad, Tamassite, Tifaouine and Asselda as well as several douars in more remote communities. Our ongoing litter initiative has helped to clear debris from the surrounding valley and ensure the safe collection of household waste. 

This fund has been central to restoring normality for families, getting children back to school as well as providing education supplies for relocated students. We have provided cash support to help families with the cost of repairs and launched new programmes in our craft centres to help boost local income generation.

In July, we were thrilled to unveil a new mountain ambulance for the region in the presence of the UK Ambassador to Morocco, Mr Simon Martin and his wife. The ambulance, equipped to provide urgent medical care, was purchased using funds raised through this project and thanks to the additional fundraising efforts of Mike McHugo from Kasbah du Toubkal in the Imlil Valley. Joining forces with other local organisations has meant we can amplify our collective impact and resource.

Our team continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and local leaders to ensure young people in the region have a safe place to play and learn, supporting a return to familiar routines. Following the completion of a new school building in Imi Oughlad, we are now embarking on the rebuild of a primary and pre-school in Tansghart village, with three more schools to follow.

The earthquake had a ripple effect, preventing many of our local artisans from returning to work. Without any tourists, there was no demand for their products. Furthermore, workshops were damaged, supply chains were interrupted, and uncertainty took hold. For many families, this meant their primary source of income vanished overnight. 

With this fund, we could restore our Tamgounssi Weaving Centre and successfully implement training programmes in embroidery and weaving, designed to develop the unique skills of female crafters on our programmes. The women have worked on a range of orders since thanks to our partners. Donations from this appeal fund have further helped to restore the EBF Shop which was badly damaged by the earthquake. The shop provides artisans with an outlet to sell their handmade textiles to visitors.

Every craft item produced at Tamgounssi Weaving Centre tells a story of hope, healing, and human connection rooted in community impact and sustainability.

With your support, immense progress has been made with stories of resilience and determination fuelling our mission to serve these communities for many years to come. We look forward to sharing more from our schools rebuilding projects with you soon. 

Thank you.

Our major focus area over the past six months has been the rebuilding of schools and we are writing with some exciting news! In April, we completed the rebuild of a new primary school for up to 180 children in the earthquake-affected village of Imi Oughlad.

We held a special inauguration event on the 10^th April when the school officially opened its doors to pupils. We invited delegates, community leaders and local representatives to cut the ribbon together and mark this joyous moment. Mr. Mohamed Zerrouki, Regional Director of National Education in Al Haouz from the Ministry of Education, commended the construction of the school which provides four classrooms and the facilities to provide pupils with all they need to flourish.

The school employs three teachers who personally shared their own aspirations for Imi Oughlad Primary School. A magician came to entertain the children as we welcomed them in to their new school. To see their enthusiasm as they poured in through the classroom doors was moving.

The Eve Branson Foundation is proud to be a part of the local fabric in the valleys of Asni, Imlil and Ouirgane. Our mission to improve lives in the High Atlas Mountains in based on deep collaboration. As a practical partner in the region, our community-based expertise means that we can support each village to take ownership of the recovery process.

Once again, we would like to express our gratitude for your generous support to our earthquake fund which has made a significant impact and meant that projects like this one can become a reality. Over the past 18 months, we have seen remarkable progress across all of our recovery projects and received many messages of encouragement. We have been able to promote tourism and help to revitalise the local economy by developing our artisanal programmes whilst building back infrastructure in the local community.

Our team continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and local leaders to ensure young people in the region have a safe place to learn and play, supporting a return to familiar routines. We are now embarking on the rebuild of a primary and pre-school in Tansghart village, with three more schools to follow. Our work is far from done but with your partnership and support, we will continue to make great progress.

Thank you.