Within a six-day timeframe, 14,200 people have been presumed dead in the North African region. Two catastrophic events have taken place in Morocco and Libya, two countries that are within very close proximity of one another, both sharing borders with Alegria. Unfortunately, neither of these events have been very prevalent within the media we consume… 

Morocco  

On September 8th, 2023 – 23:11 (11:11pm) local time – an earthquake hit Morocco leaving many in shock, and causing thousands of casualties. The earthquake struck central Morocco – the epicenter being located in the town of Ighil, in the Al Haouz province. The quake was quite shallow at a depth of 11.4 miles (18.5km), and was measured to have a magnitude of 6.8. According to the Richter scale, this is classified as a “strong” earthquake. After the initial shock, an aftershock of 4.9 struck 19 minutes later. This is recorded to be the strongest earthquake to have hit the area in over a century! 

There have been thousands of casualties: as they continue to send rescuers to search for survivors, the death toll only continues to rise. As of September 15th, 2023, the death toll has reached approximately 2,900. Due to the large number of casualties, Morocco is struggling to accommodate to all those in need of help. Other countries have recognized their struggles. This led to Spain, Qatar, the UK, and the UAE to send in additional aid, which King Mohammed VI has publicly thanked them for. 

Libya 

On September 11, 2023, Storm Daniel – who had been sweeping across the Mediterranean – had hit Libya. The storm had caused record breaking amounts of rainfall to the extent there are now over 30,000 people in Libya currently displaced. The collapsing of two dams the following day had only increased the severity of the flooding. The storm had hit north-east Libya and had caused a horrifying number of casualties. 

Rescuers are still out there, searching for those who managed to survive: unfortunately, that is not the vast majority. The death toll still continues to rise as the aftermath of the floods continues to leave those in need of aid, helpless. Four days after the floods, 11,300 had been confirmed deceased. Another 10,000 people are currently recorded missing. 

This series of disasters has left many in North Africa in shock and fear. While Morrocco had been in need for as much international support as possible, the attention of the world quickly shifted to the floods in Libya: This left two countries in need of all the support they can get, with divided attention from the rest of the world. Now the people of Morocco and Libya are left to pick up the pieces of what was once their home. 

Sources:  

www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66762329 

www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/morocco-earthquake-09-09-2023/index.html 

www.aol.com/news/travelers-morocco-know-following-recent-160109021.html 

What we know about the floods that killed thousands in Libya | CNN 

Libya floods: what caused them and why are they so bad? | Reuters