A Message from Morocco and Ways to Help

On September 9, after the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the High Atlas mountain region at 11:11 p.m. the previous night, I arrived in Casablanca and traveled to Marrakech, located about 45 miles northeast of the epicenter, to attend an annual travel conference. As of now, the devastating tremor has resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and at least 5,500 injuries, according to Morocco’s Ministry of the Interior. These numbers are expected to increase further.

The earthquake's epicenter was in Al Haouz province, renowned for its stunning natural scenery, featuring red soil, pine-covered mountains, and pristine rivers favored by hikers and adventurers. Many of the most severely impacted areas, where entire villages have been reduced to ruins and homes flattened, are located in remote, hard-to-access regions, complicating rescue and relief operations.

Marrakech also felt the quake's effects, with damage reported in parts of the historic Medina. Many residents opted to sleep outdoors in the immediate aftermath, fearful of returning indoors due to potential aftershocks and uncertain about the safety of their homes. In the days following the earthquake, the air was filled with the constant wail of sirens as ambulances rushed the injured to local hospitals.

Just days later, despite the tragedy, there’s a palpable determination in the city that life must continue. Alongside efforts to restore their daily routines, there is a significant grassroots movement to aid relief initiatives. The streets are bustling, debris has been cleared away, and shops, hotels, and restaurants have reopened their doors.

Numerous residents of Marrakech depend on tourism, whether directly or indirectly, and they express concerns about how the recent disaster will impact visitor numbers. In recent days, taxi drivers, shopkeepers, and hotel staff have shared their fears that negative media coverage might deter tourists just as the industry was beginning to bounce back from the effects of COVID.

Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for 12 percent of Morocco’s GDP, and the sector was experiencing a robust recovery in 2022, with nearly 10.86 million tourists visiting the country, achieving over 80 percent of the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, according to the World Tourism and Travel Council.

Mike McHugo, the owner of Kasbah du Toubkal and cofounder of Education For All, who has been involved in Marrakech's tourism sector since 1978, emphasizes the significance of tourism's return when conditions are favorable, given its tangible benefits for some of the nation’s poorest communities.

“The structures in Imlil, the village that houses Kasbah du Toubkal and serves as a trekking hub, have remained largely intact and withstood the earthquake,” McHugo informed Dinogo. “This village has seen the benefits of tourism funds, enabling residents to build more modern homes and improve infrastructure. Tourism has positively influenced the local community's quality of life.”

For those planning to travel to Morocco soon, the hope is that instead of canceling trips, travelers who are uneasy about coming now will choose to reschedule for a later date. The reality is that most of the country remains unaffected—Morocco spans a large area, roughly the size of California. Popular spots like Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat, and the desert regions have not sustained earthquake damage, despite some tremors being felt. Recovery in the High Atlas mountain areas will take time. However, in Marrakech, with few exceptions such as some riads in the Medina, hotels are open for guests, restaurants and rooftop terraces are bustling with activity, and shops are operating, as local residents are eager to welcome visitors again. If you're considering a visit in the coming weeks or months, make sure to check with your travel provider and hotel for the latest updates on the situation.

If you're attempting to reach a travel agency or hotel in Marrakech, be aware that some businesses might take longer to respond as locals cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the earthquake. Patience and understanding will be appreciated during this time. Although there is a prevailing sense of “business as usual,” the residents have endured a frightening ordeal and are still processing its effects.

Ways to assist Morocco immediately

Numerous organizations, both local and international, are actively engaged in disaster relief efforts for the impacted communities. Accessing the remote villages near the earthquake's epicenter has proven difficult, and some areas are still awaiting sufficient support. Below is our curated list of organizations currently providing aid and relief to these communities.

Intrepid Foundation

How to contribute: intrepidfoundation.org

The Intrepid Foundation, which is the charitable wing of Intrepid Travel, is matching all donations for its Morocco Earthquake Appeal up to $64,000 and is fully covering the administrative costs. This appeal supports Education For All, an initiative that helps girls in rural areas continue their education by establishing and operating boarding houses near secondary schools, as well as the High Atlas Foundation, a Moroccan association and U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on community-driven development projects in the Atlas Mountains. Both organizations are currently aiding affected communities by supplying food, water, shelter, and other essential resources.

“The overwhelming generosity towards our emergency appeal is enabling our two long-standing partners, Education for All and the High Atlas Foundation, to deliver essential emergency relief to families and communities in the areas hardest hit,” said Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Intrepid Travel in Morocco, to Dinogo. “Many individuals in these remote mountain communities have lost their homes and livelihoods, and both partners are providing critical support during this incredibly challenging time.”

World Central Kitchen

How to donate: wck.org

Established in 2010 by chef José Andrés, the nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK) prepares and distributes fresh meals in crisis situations, collaborating with local chefs and community partners such as Amal Non Profit, a Marrakech-based culinary school that trains women in professional cooking skills under the mentorship of seasoned chefs, helping them secure employment in the local food industry. WCK is currently utilizing helicopters to transport food and water to the severely impacted areas in the High Atlas region and is assisting with evacuations.

“The situation in Morocco is challenging, and many remote areas lack access, so we are using helicopters to deliver food and assist with medical evacuations on the return trips. That is what WCK is all about: community and continually adapting to support as many people as possible,” stated Sam Bloch, WCK’s director of emergency response, to Dinogo.

Chef José Andrés, the founder of WCK, shared this video on his Instagram depicting one of their helicopter pilots skillfully landing on a switchback road blocked by a landslide, allowing the team to reach and assist people in areas inaccessible to other helicopters.

Artists for Morocco

To buy art for donations: artistsformorocco.com

Founded the day after the earthquake, Artists for Morocco was initiated by Samira Larouci, editor-at-large for GQ Middle East, along with photographer Anass Ouaziz and designer Ismail Elaaddioui. They teamed up with 26 Moroccan photographers and artists to generate funds for essential on-the-ground support. Notable photographers contributing prints include Hassan Hajjaj, Mous Lamrabat, and Yoriyas Yassine Alaoui. All proceeds from the sales will benefit Amal Non Profit and the Rif Tribes Foundation, an NGO dedicated to providing aid to affected remote villages. The print sale concludes on September 30.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

To contribute: donation.ifrc.org

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has initiated an emergency appeal seeking $112 million to enhance relief efforts for the Moroccan Red Crescent. This funding aims to provide immediate and medium-term assistance to those affected, including healthcare services, clean water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, essential relief items, food, and household necessities. Teams from the Moroccan Red Crescent are collaborating with local authorities to facilitate search and rescue operations, deliver first aid and psychosocial support, transport the injured to medical facilities, evacuate individuals from damaged structures, and distribute food and water.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

To contribute: doctorswithoutborders.org

Commonly referred to by its French title Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Doctors Without Borders has deployed teams to evaluate the medical humanitarian needs on the ground. These teams are collaborating with local authorities and communities to enhance medical care in the impacted regions, while also exploring ways to provide long-term mental health support for those affected.

Travel Link Foundation

To contribute: travellinkfoundation.org

The Morocco-based NGO Travel Link Foundation is delivering urgent relief and emergency supplies to villages in the Atlas Mountains that have been severely impacted, while also setting up temporary shelters and lighting for the affected communities.

The Eve Branson Foundation

To contribute: globalgiving.org

The Branson family has a longstanding connection to Morocco through Kasbah Tamadot, Richard Branson’s resort located in Asni at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and El Fenn, a beautifully curated riad hotel in the Marrakech Medina co-owned by his sister Vanessa Branson. Their mother’s Morocco-based nonprofit, the Eve Branson Foundation, is currently aiding relief and recovery in the Asni valley, initially providing families with essential items such as food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter. The fund will subsequently shift its focus toward recovery initiatives aimed at rebuilding homes, establishing stable infrastructure for roads, schools, and public buildings, and supporting the revival of cultural tourism programs.

Numerous hotels, restaurants, and event companies in Marrakech are mobilizing to deliver food and other essential supplies to the villages in need.