Disaster struck Morocco on Sept. 8. More specifically, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake devastated Marrakech, killing more than 2,900 people and injuring another 5,500.
And so, Zakat Foundation of America’s Emergency Response team moved its reserve emergency aid from Istanbul to Marrakech, providing on-the-ground Morocco earthquake relief. As an international NGO, emergency response is a staple program for the organization. Representatives provided immediate provisions of food, water and health supplies, and they have been following up with more long-term care and initiatives.
Planning beyond the call for immediate assistance, Zakat Foundation of America created a tent village for short-term aid that it can convert into long-term homes. Zakat Foundation of America conducted a similar emergency relief project following the February earthquakes in Turkiye.
That long-term aid is key to Morocco earthquake victims’ recovery. Here are three reasons to donate to Morocco.
1. Many Morocco earthquake victims rely on sadaqah to get by
Entire families have lost their homes, and that means the heads of households need to find ways to provide shelter, food, water, hygiene supplies and other necessities all at the same time. It’s already difficult to raise a family — it’s harder during and following a natural disaster. Supporting the tent village’s residents means giving them the opportunity to save their funds and reach financial independence, whether that’s returning to such a financial state or reaching it for the first time.
2. It takes time to recover
Zakat Foundation of America’s tent village concept acknowledges that families will need places to live while they navigate the physical, mental, emotional, and financial recovery processes. And they’ll need long-term stability from those places. The tent village serves as a community for those who need it, offering food security support, education, health services and more. But the goal is to convert the tents into better homes for their residents specifically because tents can only last so long.
3. Global support strengthens the ummah
Muslims around the world empathetically followed news updates upon finding out about the earthquake. They rushed to donate to nonprofit, humanitarian organizations like Zakat Foundation of America, knowing they can connect with their brothers and sisters in Islam through zakat and sadaqah. And with that, the global Muslim community strengthened, sharing a goal to lift up those who the earthquake knocked down.
Donations are still welcome and will provide:
Medical supplies and hygiene kits ($35)
Tent and floor mat ($45)
Food pack for a family of five ($50)
Food packs for four families ($200)
Zakat Foundation does not take any cost out of emergency funding. 100% of funds donated to Morocco emergency relief will go directly to aid and assist victims; we do not take out any administrative costs.