Marrakech Marathon

The powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the Morocco on 8th September 2023. Over 2,600 people have died, with many more injured and without homes.

Many of the dead are thought to be in remote villages in the High Atlas mountains, the epicentre of the earthquake. The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km. The earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

Residents are using whatever equipment they can find as they struggle to reach their neighbours under the rubble. Blocked roads are preventing ambulances from reaching the wounded, and while officials are scrambling to clear debris, rescue and relief efforts are difficult amid the mountainous terrain, risk of landslides, and large distances.

Historic Marrakech badly damaged

The earthquake, which was felt as far away as Algeria and Portugal, also shook historic Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicentre. Homes and other buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage Site have collapsed.

Aftershocks have left families too frightened to seek shelter, with exhausted survivors forced to sleep in the streets.

Occurring just 11 miles beneath the surface, the shallow earthquake was magnitude 6.8, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Islamic Relief’s response

Islamic Relief does not have a presence in Morocco but we are closely monitoring the unfolding situation and are now conducting rapid needs assessments to analyse the most critical needs and identify local humanitarian organisations who we can work with to deliver vital aid.

Our response will include providing food, non-food items and emergency shelter to those most in need.

Take on this challenge and help respond to the needs of those affected by this deadly earthquake.

Fundraising Ideas

Smarties: Buy 20 tubes of Smarties and give them to 20 of your friends. Your one condition? Once they’ve enjoyed the Smarties, they return the tubes back to you filled with as many £1 coins as they can collect in a week. You’d be surprised how much you can raise using this tactic!

Bake Sale: A true classic. How about adding a theme to your fundraiser depending on the cause you’re raising for? E.g. a blue theme if you’re fundraising to provide clean water. Or you could really go for it, and sell other homemade delights alongside your delicious baked goods like milkshakes, smoothies or classic desserts (trifle, cake & custard etc.).

Car Wash: Probably the most fun thing you could do, and all you need is water, a bucket, a sponge and some car shampoo. You could do this at your school or workplace, or you could even ask a local business to let you use their grounds/car park. Try to make it more interesting by doing it in fancy dress and get your family and friends in on all the fun!

Click here for more fundraising ideas

Questions?

Email us at [email protected] with any questions or for any further information. We’re here to support 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.