A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the High Atlas region in Morocco at 11.11pm on the 8th September 2023. At least 2,000 people have died – a grim death toll that is likely to rise in the days ahead.

Many of the dead are thought to be in remote villages in the High Atlas mountains, the epicentre of the earthquake. The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km. The earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

Residents are using whatever equipment they can find as they struggle to reach their neighbours under the rubble. Blocked roads are preventing ambulances from reaching the wounded, and while officials are scrambling to clear debris, rescue and relief efforts are difficult amid the mountainous terrain, risk of landslides, and large distances.

Islamic Relief will be working through local humanitarian organisations on the ground to deliver vital aid. We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation and are conducting rapid needs assessments to analyse the most critical needs.

Our response will include providing food, non-food items and emergency shelter to those most in need.