Earthquake one of the strongest in recent decades in country

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries from Portugal and Cape Verde, through Mission Don Bosco, the Salesian Missionary Procure of the Sant’Antonio Province of Portugal (POR), have launched a campaign to help support those impacted by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Oct. 1.  The earthquake, one of the strongest in recent decades, killed more than 2,800 people and injured more than 5,000.

The epicenter was recorded in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 41 miles (71 kilometers) southwest of the city of Marrakech. Specialized teams at the scene reported total devastation with roads blocked and villages completely destroyed. In the epicenter area, many houses had been built using traditional High Atlas methods such as mud bricks. These homes quickly collapsed under the tremors.

The local population is struggling to overcome the devastation and faces an increasingly difficult time as efforts to rescue survivors diminished. Salesians are working to raise funding for humanitarian efforts to directly help those most in need. The donations will be sent to Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, archbishop of Rabat, who will manage the distribution with the local Carias Diocesan. All funds will be used to provide aid to the victims.

Cardinal Romero explained, “What is worrying now are the victims, the many injured and the structural damage to buildings, even in small villages.”

Salesian programs provide education and social development services for poor and marginalized youth in Morocco. Over the last several years, Morocco has made significant strides toward reducing the number of Moroccans living in poverty. Despite progress, a drastic gap in wealth continues to exist between those living in urban and rural areas, according to the World Bank. Out of close to 4 million people living in poverty, 3 million are living in rural areas. Statistics show that while one in 10 persons are poor in urban regions, one in four are poor in rural areas.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Portugal – ‘Missão Dom Bosco’ launches a campaign for the earthquake emergency in Morocco

World Bank – Morocco