February 27 2004
Further aid for earthquake victims in Morocco
27/02/2004 - Imzouren lies in the middle of the remote region of the Rif mountains, that was struck by a serious earthquake in the early hours of 24 February. Today, three SOS Children's Village staff are expected, who are to give psychological help to the victims of the earthquake; basic material supplies for the affected families have already been handed out since straight after the disaster.
The multi-purpose hall and the kindergarten in SOS Children's Village Imzouren, whose buildings withstood the earthquake, are serving as temporary accommodation for families who have lost their homes. The SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, likewise being used for emergency accommodation, might be able to continue with its teaching this coming Monday. There are, however, as before, the aftershocks which could delay the reopening of the school. People are scared of returning to their homes because of these aftershocks. In the SOS Children's Village, the children, mothers and staff are living under constant strain.
The families being accommodated in the SOS Children's Village are being provided with meals. Food and other goods for day-to-day requirements are being handed out to affected families from the neighbourhood. People are today awaiting the arrival of two psychologists and a social worker from SOS Children's Villages in Casablanca - they need 24 hours for the difficult journey to remote Imzouren. A lorry with aid supplies, made available by local firms and donors, is likewise en route from Casablanca to the earthquake region today.
SOS Children's Village staff will, over the next few days, start with assessing the needs of the small villages in the Rif region. Inhabitants of these villages or Douars traditionally live withdrawn lives, cut off from any type of aid.
People in the region are desperate about the slow or non-existent aid measures. Some have been waiting in vain since Tuesday for aid. There is too little in the way of goods, and aid workers are finding it very difficult to reach the earthquake area.