Morocco earthquake support for Abde and family

On 8 September 2023, I was 3200m up in the high Atlas mountains with a group lead by Fit4Adventures, together with our local guide Abde. We were ready for an early morning start to head up to the summit of Mt Toubkal, but little did we know the rude awakening waiting for us shortly after going to bed.

At around 11pm, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the high Atlas mountains, about 10km from where we were sleeping. With the thunderous roar of earth, ground and refuge shaking uncontrollable, no one knew what was going on and all rushed outside for safety, away from the immediate danger of a building possible collapsing.

While we were all ok outside trying to make sense of what was going on, Abde had the additional worry of his young family being in Imlil, a village down in the valley, trying to make contact to ensure their safety. Regardless, he remained calm and communicated with us to relay any messages the local guides managed to gather.

When we made it down the mountain to Imlil the next afternoon, the damage to houses, buildings, roads and shops opened our eyes to the level danger we were in, but also increased the gratitude for walking out of there alive. The roads to Imlil were all blocked by multiple rock falls and land slides down the Imlil valley, making it impossible for any form of help to arrive. The only way out was for us to walk down the valley towards Asni where we heard taxis could be available to get us to Marrakech. The devastation seen on the walk down the valley is not something that will ever be forgotten, including families already having to bury loved ones while we are making our way back to safety in a place far removed from the heartache and chaos of the earthquake's aftermath.

With a week having passed since that frightening night, trying to settle into "normal" life has been more difficult than initially expected. Especially knowing that life is not normal for so many of the Moroccan people who have lost family, friends, houses, livelihood etc.

My hands feel tied knowing I want to help all those people having experienced what they did first hand, but being able to remove myself from their reality and carry on with my life. Although there are so many out there in need, I feel like if I could try and restore one person's life to some sort of pre-earthquake normality, it is a step in the right direction.

I have therefore set up this fund to try to help Abde and his family, along with any other Imlil residents in serious need, restore their house and lives. Abde and his family, like so many others, have been sleeping outside for the past week out of fear to go back into their house due to the damage caused by the earthquake and help. Abde's income is generated through guiding groups through the Atlas mountains on hikes/treks, although opportunities to generate income to restore their lives is limited until such time as roads have been opened and everything is safe enough for tourist to visit the area again.

I am starting small with what I think is an achievable target, but hoping to raise funds way in excess of this to make a meaningful contribution and change to Abde and his family. All funds generated will go directly to Adbe with the hope that, if more than enough is generated, he can also distribute it to is extended family and friends in the area that we do not know, but also desperately need help.

If you want to see what adventures Abde normally goes on, and also some of the devastation left in his area, scroll through his Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/abderrazak_tour_guide/). Give him some love, a follow and if you are ever looking for your next adventure in Morocco, get in touch with him as you will be in safe hands with someone who will take you on an unforgettable experience.