Rising from the Ashes: Inspiring Stories of Resilience from Morocco's Earthquake Survivors

Khadija Ait Si Ali had recently begun the process of rebuilding her life when the earthquake hit. Tragically, her husband passed away in a road accident just seven months prior. Their marriage had lasted less than a year, and Khadija was five months pregnant at the time.

Reflecting on her situation amidst the devastation of Tinzert, a small village in the Atlas Mountains completely destroyed by last week's earthquake, Khadija shared with CNN, "I had intended to start job hunting in the next two or three months."

"I initially believed that was sufficient. However, I now require a house as well, since we are currently without one."

In this remote and rugged region of Morocco, it is a familiar tale. The majority of the residents have spent their entire lives in the same place where their ancestors have resided for generations. The concept of family is deeply ingrained, with relatives always nearby. However, when the catastrophic earthquake hit the area, the support systems that these people relied upon crumbled along with everything else.

The immense scale of individuals who have been left homeless is such that, even after a whole week subsequent to the tragedy, numerous individuals are still without proper shelter. They are forced to survive in the open, utilizing makeshift tents constructed from blankets or scraps of tarpaulin.

As winter approaches these mountainous villages, immediate action is required for their recovery and rebuilding.

Amal Zniber, the head of the Moroccan educational charity Amis Des Écoles, has been actively distributing aid in the region for the past week. According to her, thanks to the generosity of individuals from all over the country, there is now an adequate supply of food and water. However, the issue of waste is now emerging as a concern.

"We must explore strategies for eliminating waste and determining the most suitable means of providing kitchens, toilets, showers, and sleeping accommodations that align with the customs and culture of the local community," Zniber informed CNN.

Abdu Brahim and his wife Hanan Ait Brahim sort through the items they recovered from the rubble of their home, where their 7-year-old daughter died.

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

Abdu Brahim, a resident of the village of Tafeghaghte located approximately one and a half hours southwest of Marrakech, informed CNN that his family is currently facing difficulties in keeping warm and dry.

He expressed the need for a tent and cooking equipment since the morning dew tends to make everything wet. Specifically, he stated that he requires a tent for his children and his elderly father.

Abdu Brahim and Hanan Ait Brahim have been tirelessly searching through the debris, all that remains of their once cherished residence. Tragically, their 7-year-old daughter, along with her aunt, uncle, and cousin who resided in the adjacent house, fell victim to the devastating earthquake.

Hanan Ait murmured, "I'm attempting to categorize everything, to assess what we possess and what we lack," as the couple diligently salvaged any salvageable items from the debris. They methodically sorted their dusty and damaged belongings into distinct piles, categorizing them as clothes and shoes, kitchen items, and blankets and mattresses.

Fatema Acherhri lost her two daughters, Rajaa and Sanaa, in the earthquake.

Ivana Kottasova/CNN

This entire village was wiped out 'in just 10 seconds' in Morocco's devastating earthquake

Working silently and with a methodical approach, Hanan Ait stumbled upon her daughter's pencils and chalks, causing tears to well up in her eyes. The burial of the 51 individuals who lost their lives in the earthquake within this small community of 500 resides on the outskirts of the village. This somber significance is one of the reasons why Abdu Brahim expresses an inability to envision departing from Tafeghaghte, despite the widespread destruction.

"Our lives are rooted here. This land, these animals, they are all part of our existence," he expressed. "When I reflect upon the immense joy that fills my life, it is all right here," he appended. Sharing with CNN, he conveyed his unwavering determination to reconstruct a new dwelling for his family.

"Step by step," he stated. The initial construction of the house demanded two decades of effort, and now he must embark on this journey anew, devoid of his brother's assistance.

The Moroccan government declared on Thursday that individuals whose homes were completely demolished will be eligible to receive 140,000 dirhams ($14,000) in aid. Those whose homes suffered partial damage will be eligible for 80,000 dirhams, while individuals affected by the earthquake but not directly impacted by home destruction will receive 30,000 dirhams.

Abdelkarim Ait Amkhaines, whose residence in the nearby town of Ouirgane was destroyed in the earthquake, has spent the past few days sleeping in a tent. He expressed to CNN that the financial assistance would greatly benefit those residing in the mountainous regions.

"Rebuilding a home would require a reasonable amount of 140,000 dirhams, which serves as the minimum necessary to construct a modest dwelling," he stated, emphasizing the extent of his house's deterioration, which necessitates its demolition and clearance prior to commencing any new construction.

The village of Tafeghaghte was completely leveled in the earthquake on Friday, September 8.

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

Destroyed homes, crushed souls

Its not just the enormous physical damage that is hurting people here.

Khadija Ait Si Ali recalls the haunting sound of the earthquake that continues to resonate with her. "The strength of it is unimaginable... A horrifying noise, like something detonating, but I couldn't identify what. It felt like a war, but it wasn't. Trust me, I genuinely believed it was the end of the world," she shared.

The memory of that moment remains vivid for her. "During the daytime, we manage, but at night, it's terrifying. It's incredibly frightening because on that night, everything seemed normal and then it abruptly occurred. I'm scared that it might happen again. Even when I'm exhausted, I struggle to sleep, constantly waking up. I'm awake at 11, awake at 12, awake at 1—I'm always alert, waiting for it to happen," Ait Si Ali expressed.

Dr. Adil Akanour, a psychiatrist deployed to a field hospital in Asni, a town nestled in the Atlas Mountains, has observed a notable occurrence among his patients in recent days. Accompanied by therapists and social workers, his presence contributes to the holistic care approach at the medical facility.

Residents of Moulay Brahim look at the remains of a hotel where Sami Sensis parents were staying when the earthquake struck.

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

In the field hospitals psychiatric tent, Akanour, a military doctor with experience in disaster and conflict zones, stated that there is a significant demand for psychological support among Moroccan earthquake survivors in the Atlas Mountains. He also noted that there is presently greater awareness and acknowledgment of this need compared to previous times.

"People not only have to process the situation but also need assistance in preparing for the future, considering the extensive recovery time," he stated.

The reconstruction process could extend well beyond the expectations of the affected individuals. According to the United Nations, over 9 million people are still in need of support six months after the destructive earthquake in Turkey and Syria that occurred in February. Additionally, Action Against Hunger data reveals that out of the 3 million individuals displaced by the earthquake in Turkey, 1.5 million are currently residing in temporary settlements.

Akanour encountered numerous distressed patients in the initial days following the earthquake. Fatme Akia Nayet, an elderly Berber woman from a severely affected village, incessantly echoed the names of all her acquaintances who had perished. Upon every entry into the hospital tent where she was recuperating, Akia Nayet would resume her solemn recitation.

Fatme Akia Nayet is being treated in the Asni field hospital. She repeats the names of people she knows have died.

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

Mariam Maroi, a 22-year-old woman who suffered severe injuries during the earthquake and was subsequently rescued from the debris, has no recollection of the events of that fateful night. Every time she attempts to speak, overwhelming emotions take hold, causing her to burst into tears.

Mariam Maroi was badly injured and pulled out of the rubble. She does not recall anything from the night of the earthquake.

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

In Moulay Brahim, a nearby village to Asni, tensions rose high as the community anxiously awaited official assistance. At a certain moment, the situation escalated to the point where stones were hurled through the air during a heated argument between two factions within the village.

Meanwhile, in Tinzert, Khadija Ait Si Ali shared that her current priority was to concentrate on her baby's well-being and manage through each day.

"I immediately realized that I had to evacuate my baby from the house," she expressed. "As I rushed towards her, I witnessed the house collapsing right before my eyes. I tragically lost my husband, and now as I stare at my baby, I am consumed by fear of losing her as well. She is my only source of solace," she confided.

Feeling utterly deprived of support and guidance, Ait Si Ali admitted, "I find myself in a state of confusion, without anyone to whom I can seek help. I had plans to commence my job search, but now I find myself uncertain about the next steps. I am merely waiting," she concluded.

CNNs Celine Alkhaldi and Eyad Kourdi contributed reporting.