Morocco faces challenge of rebuilding after devastating earthquake

Reconstruction efforts are underway a month after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco destroyed 60,000 homes and left 3,000 people dead.

By Sr. Titilayo Aduloju, SSMA

According to the most recent Moroccan government statistics, the earthquake on 8 September destroyed about 60,000 dwellings across 3,000 towns in the High Atlas Mountains and its surrounding areas, leaving about 3,000 people dead and 5,600 injured.

Rubble still covers towns near the Atlas Mountains one month after the deadly 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck.

The problem now for the North African nation is to quickly rebuild and take action to make earthquake-proof centuries-old Moroccan communities without compromising their distinctive architecture.

Victims expressed their concerns

"We'd prefer the government to rehouse us here in our village because we've heard that they're going to move us a bit further away,” said Mohamed El Asri, a resident of the village of Imi N'Tala.

Lamenting the situation, Mr. El Asri also said, “We have our land here and our farming too, which we can't give up. We are committed to our culture here”.

Abderrahim Akbour, who has remained homeless for a month, said he remains worried about the future.

"Living in a tent with winter coming quickly worries me a lot,” he said. "It could be much worse than the earthquake itself.”

Elie Mouyal, a Moroccan architect, told Africa News that ‘often poorly built’ concrete construction has displaced traditional earthen and stone buildings in the area in recent years.

Morocco Earthquake (AFP or licensors)

Rebuilding Morocco

It is essential for Morocco to avoid "copying external experiences or opting for standardised housing", said Philippe Garnier, a French architect who studied Iran's 2003 Bam earthquake and the devastating 2010 tremor in Haiti.

He said the task of rebuilding earthquake-hit areas could take several years.

“Avoiding a rushed reconstruction will be essential to ensuring solid and lasting foundations,” he concluded.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has highlighted the importance of "listening to the local population" and respecting the "unique heritage" in the region during the reconstruction.

The government has announced a budget of 120 billion dirhams ($11.6 billion) over five years to assist the 4.2 million people affected by the earthquake.