Three years after Morocco earthquake, many victims still waiting for help
Three years after a devastating earthquake struck Morocco's Al Haouz region, some villages have largely rebuilt while others still struggle with bureaucracy and unmet promises of state support.
The earthquake that hit Morocco's Al Haouz region on September 8, 2023, killed more than 2,900 people and injured over 5,500, leaving widespread destruction across the High Atlas Mountains. Three years on, recovery has been uneven from village to village.
In Ighermane, roughly 50 kilometers from Marrakech, a local development association says about 90% of homes have been rebuilt and most residents' lives have returned to normal. Of around 150 families in the village, 114 received some form of state support, though many also had to contribute their own money.
In Azgour, one of the hardest-hit villages, the picture is different. Only 76 families have received help rebuilding, while 56 are still waiting. Even those who rebuilt in a new location report ongoing problems connecting water and electricity. Many affected residents describe bureaucratic obstacles, including requirements to prove residency in the disaster zone — a particular problem for those who had moved elsewhere for work.
Government spending and reconstruction pace
According to a March statement from the High Atlas Development Agency (ADHA), more than 54,000 homes have been built or rehabilitated, with over 3,000 still under construction. The government has distributed more than 7.2 billion dirhams (about €656 million) to affected families, covering both rebuilding funds and monthly emergency payments.
An architect based in Marrakech said the pace of reconstruction has actually been reasonable given the challenges — remote mountain locations, the need to clear rubble first, difficulties transporting materials, and a shortage of local construction expertise.
Still, the National Coordination for Al Haouz Earthquake Victims says it has received complaints from more than 3,000 families who have received no state assistance, and is calling for an independent investigation into how local authorities have managed the payouts. Some residents are hoping Morocco's general election on September 23 will bring change, after officials promised to review unresolved cases, though others remain skeptical that such promises will be kept.
