Survivors of the devastating 2023 Al Haouz earthquake said they will mark the second anniversary of the tragedy with a protest outside parliament in Rabat on Sept. 8, denouncing what they describe as ongoing hardship and government inaction.
In a statement, the National Coordination for Al Haouz Earthquake Victims said hundreds of families are still living in tattered plastic tents nearly two years after the disaster, facing “harsh and degrading” conditions. The group accused authorities of attempting to dismantle these shelters without providing adequate housing alternatives.
The statement also alleged widespread mismanagement of reconstruction aid, claiming thousands of families were excluded from financial compensation while local officials and their relatives benefited improperly. It said many victims were forced to migrate to cities after being denied assistance, compounding their economic and social struggles.
The coordination called for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities, immediate settlement of compensation claims, fair distribution of aid, and decent housing for families still displaced.
“Returning to the streets after two years is a logical choice in light of the continuing deterioration of their situation,” said Mohamed Edich, head of the National Coalition for the Mountain, adding that local and national authorities have failed to provide effective solutions. He criticized efforts to push residents back into partially damaged homes as part of an attempt to “combat the plastic tents.”
Another activist, El Hussein El Masshat of the Civil Coalition for the Mountain, said the protest reflects the “harsh reality” survivors continue to face. “For two years, victims have appealed to the government with no tangible results. At this point, a royal intervention is needed,” he said.
The Al Haouz earthquake struck Morocco’s Atlas Mountains region on Sept. 8, 2023, killing nearly 3,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.
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