Earthquake Emergency in Morocco

It has been 4 months since the horrific 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the whole of Marrakech, Morocco, leaving families devastated and the city's infrastracture severly damaged. 

In the aftermath of the earthquake, our Casa Soleterre was left in a precarious state and in serious need of restoration. Known as Dar Amal, this particular Casa Soleterre is an integral resource to many families currently living in Marrakech in order to seek treatment for their loves ones at the nearby Pediatric Oncology Department at the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Mohammed VI in Marrakech. Moreover, our team's commitment to offering mental health support makes the space increasingly integral for the local community dealing with the trauma of the recent natural disaster. With the help of Chkoukout—a local construction agency commissioned for the job—restoration of Dar Amal began on October 23, 2023.

The construction plan was divided into three main focuses: the exterior of the building, the framework within, and the roof. Work began as scheduled, first addressing the ground floor and garage space of the building. During this phase of work, the reception area had to be moved so as to continue safe access to the building. Next, the entire structure had to undergo a rigorous screening process. This phase allowed for a complete assessment of the damages sustained by the earthquake. Cracks throughout the building ranged from serious damages needing structural interventions to benign aesthetic issues, easily fixed by a new coat of paint. Finally, the roof was scrutinized to highlight any areas of weakness where there was risk of collapse. During this period of construction, it was decided to also update the building by dedicating a new space for laundry on the roof.

A lot of hard work went into these renovations, and the team is thrilled to see Dar Amal is tip-top shape once again! The inside of the building has been returned to its former status—warm and welcoming once again. Even the laundry area is complete and ready for use. Perhaps most significant, however, is the care that went into the efforts of our local staff. On the outside walls of the building, the staff has added a bit of flair with orange stripes adorning the balconies of the structure. Orange is the color of Soleterre, and while this gesture may be small, it holds great significance.

Soleterre was one of the few local organizations on the ground offering assistance to families in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. We have been dedicated to staying alongside the children and families at Dar Amal as they confront the unthinkable, from illness to natural disasters. We will remain at their sides in 2024 to continue supporting them and to reinforce our credo that health is social justice.