Strengthen Long Term Al-Haouz Earthquake Recovery

Nearly two years after the earthquake that devastated Morocco’s High Atlas, the Global Diversity Foundation continues to work on long-term recovery with local partners across the region. While many homes and systems are being rebuilt, some of the most vulnerable remain excluded from formal aid mechanisms.

In early 2025, a trusted community leader from one of our longstanding partner villages reached out with an urgent concern: four elderly widowed women, aged 60 to 75, were living in makeshift shelters after their homes were destroyed. They were unable to access governmental reconstruction support due to an administrative issue—none of their national ID cards officially listed their current village as their place of residence. As a result, they have been left behind—despite being life-long members of the community.

This village is not new to us. Over the past year and a half, we have collaborated closely with the community through several phases of our High Atlas Earthquake Recovery Programme. We coordinated seed distributions, facilitated the construction of animal shelters, and engaged local herders in veterinary support caravans. But our connection runs deeper than service provision: we have also shared creative, intergenerational exchanges through two cultural activities—the recording of the Life in the Orchards podcast (in collaboration with community members), and the hosting of film screenings and workshops for children during our Harvest Festival exchange.

When the community leader reached out, we recognised not only the urgency of the situation, but also the depth of mutual trust that made this appeal possible. The solidarity campaign we launched in response aims to provide safe, dignified shelter before next winter.

What makes this initiative possible is the village’s strong communal spirit: neighbours have pledged to contribute labour and time to the reconstruction. What’s missing is the material: cement, wood, bricks, and transport to this remote area.

This initiative reflects several pillars of our long-term recovery strategy:

• Local leadership and community engagement: The campaign was born from a grassroots request and is sustained by the willingness of neighbours to build together.
• Equity and inclusion: We are addressing the gaps left by top-down aid systems by responding to the real and nuanced needs of marginalised groups.
• Resilience through dignity: By supporting these women, we are restoring not only shelter but a sense of belonging and safety within their communities.

While addressing:

• Gaps in official aid distribution, especially affecting women, widows, and elders
• Social justice and equity, ensuring all community members are included in the recovery process
• Community-driven resilience, amplifying local leadership and mutual support systems

Funds raised will go directly to:

• Purchasing building materials (wood, cement, bricks, etc.)
• Covering transport to this remote location
• Supporting community-led construction efforts