Morocco quake survivors protest aid delays
Hundreds of survivors from Morocco's 2023 Al Haouz earthquake recently gathered outside Parliament in Rabat to protest significant delays in reconstruction aid distribution. The demonstration, featuring protesters carrying Moroccan and Amazigh flags, marks growing frustration over unfulfilled government commitments more than 18 months after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Despite the government's pledge of an $11.5 billion reconstruction program, progress has been minimal, with the majority of the planned 55,000 homes still awaiting rebuilding. Officials cite fraud concerns and difficulties in verifying legitimate beneficiaries as reasons for the delays, while many survivors continue living in temporary shelters.
The situation has sparked controversy over the treatment of activists advocating for faster aid distribution. Notable among these cases is Said Ait Mahdi, who received a three-month prison sentence and a $1,000 fine for charges including defamation and organizing unauthorized protests. His arrest has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups, including the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, which labeled it as retaliatory action against his advocacy work.
The earthquake's impact has highlighted long-standing regional inequities, particularly affecting areas dominated by indigenous minority groups. Government estimates indicate damage to over 60,000 homes and 585 schools, primarily in regions already lacking basic infrastructure compared to Morocco's developed coastal cities.
Protest movements have expanded beyond the earthquake-affected regions to major cities, with organizations like the Civil Coalition of the Mountain demanding accelerated reconstruction efforts. As winter approaches, concerns grow for those still lacking permanent housing, especially in mountainous areas where temperatures drop significantly. Demonstrators continue to call for transparent and efficient aid distribution, while advocacy groups press for both reconstruction progress and the release of detained activists.
