Ouirgane (Al Haouz) – Courage and sobriety in the face of the hardship, dignity and resilience in the face of adversity; these are the traits displayed by the communities in the province of El Haouz, nearly a year after the devastating earthquake that struck the region on the night of September 8, 2023.

In the commune of Ouirgane, located in the High Atlas Mountains (62 km from Marrakech), life has visibly resumed its course, with markets bustling with activity, streets lively with passersby, and villages resonating with the joyful laughter of children. Behind this cheerful atmosphere, many families have finally completed the reconstruction of their homes damaged or destroyed during the tragic earthquake.

Omar, a man in his sixties who was miraculously rescued with his wife from the rubble that night, recounts his harrowing experience. “Trapped for hours under the collapsed roof, I couldn’t move. I was just hoping someone would come to rescue me!” he told MAP in a statement.

One year later, he expresses hi
s deep gratitude to the rescue services, local authorities, and relevant departments who, in an admirable display of solidarity, provided invaluable support to the affected populations. “Thanks to the financial aid and support provided, my new house is almost complete. It is now more solid, as it meets seismic construction standards,” he rejoiced.

Indeed, local authorities have worked tirelessly over the past months to design homes that are more resistant to earthquakes while respecting the cultural and environmental specifics of the region.

Amine Idrissi Belkasmi, Director of the Urban Agency of Marrakech, notes that “the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the earthquake is in a very advanced stage.”

A year after the tragedy and thanks to the interventions of the competent authorities, under the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, “the new buildings, completed in record time, meet safety standards, comfort conditions, and the characteristics of the local architectural style,” he emphasize
d.

Maps of non-buildable lands have been created to prevent construction in areas prone to landslides and floods, Idrissi Belkasmi added.

Clearly, the reconstruction aims, beyond restoring the affected buildings, to give residents a sense of stability and security-two essential elements for healing the scars left by this disaster.

As the reconstruction progresses, the residents of Al Haouz continue to demonstrate their ingenuity and determination not only to rebuild their homes but also to lay the foundations for a better and more solid future for themselves and their children.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse