A year after the earthquake: how Tiiskt fights for the new beginning

A year after the earthquake: how Tiiskt fights for the new beginning

A year after the devastating earthquake in Morocco, which cost around 3000 people life, many survivors in the region fight for the reconstruction of their lives. The earthquake, which shook the area around Marrakech on September 8, 2023, left massive destruction with around 60,000 damaged houses. However, the progress in reconstruction is more slow than hoping: To date, only 1000 families have been able to finish their new domiciles.

Despite the exhibition of more than 55,000 building permits by the authorities, many affected people remain in provisional accommodations. The government has urged the survivors to accelerate their reconstruction in order to be able to fully use financial aid. However, these financial support options are linked to specific conditions, including the procurement of building permits and the creation of technical studies that have to be validated by a responsible site manager.

the reality on the ground

Tiiskt, a small place with around 500 inhabitants, has hardly been recognized since the earthquake. Of the once flowering houses, there are only ruins left. 45 people lost their lives here, and most surviving still live in simple tents that are at the mercy of the harsh climatic conditions of the coming winter. "The materials come mainly from Marrakech or Tahanaout, and the region has to deal with an acute lack of raw materials," said Abdellah Tafala, a construction worker in the region.

The transport of building materials is as challenging due to the geographical conditions. In addition, some villagers want to build their new houses on the mountain slopes, which makes logistics further difficult. In addition to the financial hurdles and the slow progress of reconstruction, these circumstances contribute to the despair of many survivors.

financial worries and support

Yassine Aït Si Mhanned, resident of Tiiskt, describes the challenges associated with state aid: "There is a problem with the support for those who have lost all of their existence. How are they supposed to use the funds obtained? For the reconstruction or to acquire land?"

Although almost 58,000 survivors have received the first of four tranches of state help, which can be up to 140,000 dirham (around CHF 12,500), only 939 families have received the last tranche so far. This raises the question of whether the support is sufficient to enable those affected to make a new beginning in the uncertain future.

in the city of Moulay Brahim, who was a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims in front of the earthquake, the recovery remains slow. Historical Zaouia, an important religious building, was also badly damaged. Women who previously worked in this building describe how their livelihood was robbed by the destruction. "I was employed in Zaouia in front of the earthquake, now I have no incomes anymore," reports a woman.

monthly support aids from the state provide the survivors with the most necessary, but threaten to run out for the next month. These developments throw a worrying light on the already precarious Situation of those affected and leave the question of how many of them will manage to redesign their existence in postal catastrophic reality.