Belgium's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advice to the areas in Morroco most affected by Friday's earthquake, while several Brussels municipalities are mobilising to provide aid.
As rescue operations continue, the Moroccan Government has reported that the death toll from the earthquake is now at least 2,122 people. The Belgian Foreign Office is strongly advising citizens against travel in the area affected by the earthquake in Morocco until further notice. It updated the travel advice page of its website on Saturday.
"Following the massive earthquake that struck Al Haouz province on the night of 8 September 2023, travel in the area encompassing Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant is strongly discouraged until further notice," the statement reads.
These areas are either located in the Atlas mountains where the earthquake struck or between this area and the largest city in this area, Marrakech.
It is thought that some 630 Belgians have registered through official channels as being in this region at the moment. The Office earlier opened an emergency number (+32 2 501 4000) for Belgians and their loved ones affected by the tragedy.
Race against time
More than 2,100 people have already died in Friday night's massive earthquake in mountainous areas near Marrakech, but this figure is expected to rise. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing but are currently a race against time, as the probability of survival for victims still under the rubble after four to five days are very slim.
In the worst-affected areas in the High Atlas mountains, many roads are blocked, making them difficult to access for rescue workers. Residents have described whole villages suffering damage and rescuers unable to retrieve bodies from rubble.
In Marrakech, the nearest major city, many residents slept out on the streets for a second night. Historic sites in the city have also been damaged.
Credit: Belga
The government in Rabat on Sunday announced a special relief fund for those in need, which will cover the cost of repairing damaged homes and helping people left homeless by the earthquake.
The country has so far only accepted aid from four countries – the UK, Spain, Qatar and the UAE – and has said it would accept help from others as needs developed. Emergency workers from outside the country have now joined the rescue effort.
Numerous other countries have also already offered their help, among others Israel which is known for its search- and rescue operations in other countries and has diplomatic relations with Morocco, but they are still waiting for a response from the Moroccan authorities. Belgium has activated the B-Fast service to provide assistance as soon as Morocco makes the request, while €5 million has been freed up for this purpose.
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The Brussels municipalities of Evere, Brussels, Anderlecht, Molenbeek-Saint-Jeans, Saint-Gilles and Koekelberg are gathering to collect goods most needed by the Moroccan population, organised in collaboration with the Belgian Army.
People can drop off donations there, such as torches, camp beds, mattresses, tents, blankets, hygiene products and emergency generators. The mayors have specified that it is not worth donating clothes and perishable food. These are being gathered in an empty warehouse in Anderlecht, at 8 Digue du Canal, which will open at 10:00 on Tuesday.
In several municipalities, a register of mourning will be opened.
Consult the website of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information on travel advice.
