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fter the 6.8 magnitude earthquake which rocked Morocco in October, official reports are now showing its full catastrophic impact. The quake claimed almost 3000 lives, left over 5,500 people seriously injured and displaced more than 500,000 people from their homes.
Although the aftershocks have subsided, the danger has not passed and relief organisations are working hard to support affected communities through the harsh winter. Although we may picture sunny climes when we think of Morocco, in the High Atlas temperatures can plunge well below freezing in the winter months, making efforts to rebuild homes all the more urgent.
We’ve put together some ways to support Moroccans and to help with the country’s recovery, from beautiful artisanal products made in the Atlas to buy to wonderful places to stay to support communities as they rebuild.
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Limala | Amazigh carpets from the Atlas Mountains
A gorgeous range of range, poufs, and cushions, including a collection of rugs designed by co-founder and designer Zaid Charkaoui, and a range of one of lovingly sourced vintage rugs. Limala offers free shipping within the EU and can ship internationally if you get in touch with them!
We interviewed Limala’s other brilliant Co-Founder, Samira Mahboub, for our Qahwa Hour Instagram Live series back in 2021 – tune in to hear her story and how Limala is working to decolonise their industry and empower local artisans.
La Maison Maslouhi | Moroccan artisanal home furnishings
‘Maslouhi’ means ‘from Tameslouht’ in Moroccan Darija, and Maison Maslouhi was set up to provide artisans in the mountain village of Tameslouht with a sustainable livelihood independent of the unpredictable and sometimes exploitative tourist markets in the capital. Maison Maslouhi’s goal is to make becoming an artisan a dependable and viable career option in Morocco, and they believe in investing in their artisans and their communities. Their gorgeous products include blankets, throws, rugs and more, all made by master artisans in the village.
Italki | Arabic Language Lessons with Moroccan teachers and tutors
If you’re learning Arabic, why not get some help with your studies and support Moroccans at the same time! Online tutoring sites and apps like Italki allow you to select not just the type of Arabic you’d like to learn but also where your very own tutor is from so you can get your dialect absolutely spot on! There are lots of tutors available in Morocco, offering lessons in both Modern Standard Arabic and Moroccan Darija, and you can learn wherever you are in the world.
Next up – travel to Morocco!
If you have a trip to Morocco planned, please don’t cancel it! Many areas of Morocco were not affected by the earthquake, and even those close to the epicentre of the quake, like Marrakech, are safe and welcoming visitors as usual.
Tourism is a significant sector of the Moroccan economy which already took a hit during the pandemic, and a drop in visitor numbers will only slow recovery and exacerbate the impact of the earthquake even further. In normal years, the tourism industry contributes more than 16 billion dollars to the Moroccan economy and directly supports more than half a million jobs. You can imagine the impact if even a small percentage of tourists change their plans! And of course, don’t forget to Pack for a Purpose! Pack for a Purpose is a wonderful initiative which encourages travellers to use extra space in their luggage to take much-needed supplies to communities all over the world, working with local hotels and tour operators to decide which items are most needed and to distribute donations.
Here are just a few wonderful places to stay and things to do in Morocco:
Kasbah Bab Ourika | Idyllic boutique hotel and spa
Nestled in the Ourika Valley in the heart of the Atlas mountains, Kasbah Bab Ourika is a slice of paradise. With stunningly decorated rooms oozing with rustic luxury, a spa offering traditional hammam treatments, a restaurant serving up Moroccan specialities, a cellar stocked with fabulous local wines and an infinity pool with panoramic mountain views, you’ll never want to leave! Discover more and start planning your dream Morocco trip with this article.
Their staff mostly come from the surrounding villages, which were affected by the earthquake.
Morocco Food Adventures | Group and private food tours in Marrakech and Essaouira
For many of us, discovering new cuisines is one of the best things about travelling, and Morocco is a world-class culinary hotspot. From the quintessential tagine to and piping hot mint tea to other flavours you may be less familiar with (snail and lavender stew anyone?), no trip to Morocco would be complete without diving into all the culinary delights the country has to offer.
Forget scouring review websites for hours and hours trying to nail down your restaurant itinerary for your trip and let the expert local guides at Morocco Food Adventures show you their favourite spots, far from the tourist trail. You’ll discover the history of the dishes you’re trying, meet some of the best cooks in Marrakech and leave with a full belly AND heart knowing that your time in Marrakech has supported the local community, directly benefiting all the businesses involved in your tour and fairly compensating everyone involved. You can find out more about the wonderful world of Moroccan food and the tours offered by Morocco Food Adventures in this article.
Their wonderful founders, husband and wife Amanda and Youssef, have been personally fundraising and providing essential supplies to communities in need in the Atlas Mountains, including desperately needed tents for those who lost their homes, since the earthquake happened in October.
Flavors of Morocco | In-person and online cooking courses
If you’re the type who likes to get stuck into activities on holiday, don’t miss Flavors of Morocco’s cookery courses in Marrakech! Dive into the world of Moroccan cuisine with the expert teaching of their Dadas (chefs), all in the beautiful surroundings of a classic Moroccan riad. The talented team teaching at Flavors of Morocco include head chefs at famous Marrakech restaurants and leading catering companies – so this is a unique opportunity to learn from the best! If you can’t make it to Marrakech or Rabat, they also offer online courses which you can complete from home. Learn more here.
Bab Zouina | Yoga retreat in the Ourika Valley
Bab Zouina is a peaceful oasis focused on yoga, getting back to nature and finding balance in both mind and body. They host a variety of yoga retreats throughout the year, including meditation and women-only retreats.
They are deeply committed to positive community impact and sustainability, working in conjunction with the local Development Association to contribute to the economic and social development of their local area. Bab Zouina also aims to minimise their environmental impact, focusing on local and organic produce, saving energy and using renewable energy wherever possible.
Kasbah Tamadot | A luxurious retreat in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains
Kasbah Tamadot is a small luxury hotel in the Atlas region which works closely with the Eve Branson Foundation (which has been fundraising extensively to support survivors of the earthquake). The retreat is in the village of Asni, close to the epicentre of the earthquake. The village saw heavy damage in the quake and was the site of an emergency field hospital for the wounded.
The hotel is proud to have a 100% Moroccan team, with most of those working at the Kasbah coming from the local community. The hotel reports that each of their employees supports up to 10 members of their extended family. Through their partnership with the Eve Branson Foundation, Kasbah Tamadot supports artisan woodworkers, weavers, rug-makers and bakers trained through the foundation’s programmes.
Have you discovered any wonderful Moroccan businesses or fabulous places to stay? We’d love to hear about your favourite experiences!
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Morocco Earthquake: How To Help