Three days after the earthquake, the race against time to find survivors

In Morocco, despite the pain and sadness, mobilization is strong to help the victims. And this momentum is national, on the RN7 which allows access to the mountains of the High Atlas citizens did not hesitate for a second to come and help the victims of the earthquake.

Listen - 01:12

A man walks past the rubble caused by the earthquake in the village of Tafeghaghte, near Marrakech, Morocco, Monday, September 11, 2023. AP - Mosa'ab Elshamy

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With our special envoys in Ijoukak, Guillaume Thibault and Julien Boileau and our special envoy in Marrakech, Mounia Daoudi

It is a meeting under a tree, that of two committed women. Siam is a native of the region, for her helping refugees is obvious. "They have only been eating figs for three days, they can't find anything to eat or drink," she says.

Alongside Siam, Ouda, a student in Marrakech, is shocked by the extent of the damage. "There is nothing left. There is only debris and collapsed roofs. There is just a road and the mountain. It hurts my heart," she says.

Three days after the earthquake, National Road 7 was literally blocked because the mobilization is important and national, says Siam. "There are people coming from everywhere, Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir... It warms the heart," she said.

Marked in their hearts, the Atlas communities, anchored in the mountains, have an immense strength of resilience, says Ouda. "We were with children smiling and singing with us and in the end they told us they had lost seven brothers and sisters. If that had been my case, I wouldn't have been here laughing. Life must continue for them and therefore we must help all these people who have nothing to eat or drink, "says the young woman.

Read alsoMorocco: two days after a deadly earthquake, what is the situation?

« Survival is still possible at this stage."

Ultrasound, dogs, drones, international rescuers arrived equipped in the Moroccan mountains. And as soon as they arrived, the teams immediately set to work. Gathered at the entrance of Amizmiz, British, Qataris, Emiratis and Spaniards immediately went on the ground in search of survivors. "Survival is still possible at this stage. We are hopeful. We are not looking for the bodies but only for the living victims," says Roz Gourdon, the head of the English rescuers.

The English lifeguards' tent, in Amizmiz, September 11, 2023. AP - Mosa'ab Elshamy

Mohamed, a resident, sees the teams pass by and appreciates their efforts. "We thank them. God bless them. They have equipment and help us. We will also help them one day if they need it," he says.

Next to Mohamed, Rachid wants to clarify: "It's just that we need organization, coordination." Every hour that passes sees the hopes of finding survivors in the rubble diminish. The race against the clock is in everyone's head, rescuers and citizens alike.

See alsoMorocco: earthquake damage seen from space

"Moroccans in times of crisis, we can count on them »

And Marrakech, for example, is no exception and sees its share of inhabitants mobilized. Barely a hundred meters from the emergency building, about fifty volunteers are active, says our special envoy. A car parks and the men unload water packs, crates of fruit and boxes of bread that they entrust to the women.

Nadia, in her twenties, came to lend a hand: "We are here to help prepare bags with basic necessities. There is fruit, bread, boiled eggs, milk... It's important."

In a few moments, the car has already left the scene so as not to hinder ambulance traffic, explains Abdelilah Tououchat. He is the head of the charity and social development association in charge of this area around the hospitals of Marrakech. "Thank God Moroccans are really generous. Everyone gives what they can. Since yesterday it does not stop. People bring us food, some make sandwiches, some fill the bags. Look at all these covers. And then we try to find vehicles to bring all this to the villages to help them survive its difficult times. Thank God, Moroccans in times of crisis, we can count on them," the man said.

Barely filled, the bags are loaded into a large taxi. Its owner offered his services free of charge.

In Tangier too, associations and the population are mobilizing to help the victims. The first trailers loaded with food and equipment left for the most affected mountain villages. Listen to the report of our correspondent, Maud Ninauve.

15 trailers of 22 tons left last night towards Chichaoua and Taraudant, the two most affected regions after the village of Mountain of Al Haouz. The most difficult is yet to come, access to the affected populations.

01:10

Access to villages and victims and the great challenge of this humanitarian aid

" READ ALSO Earthquake in Morocco: in Tunisia, solidarity is also organized

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