Morocco earthquake: How Londoners can donate and help support victims

The Moroccan community in London has come together to raise funds after Friday’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which has left more than 2,000 people dead and many more injured.

The earthquake, which struck shortly before 11pm on Friday September 8, had its epicentre in Al Haouz province in the Atlas Mountains, where it caused devastation to remote farming communities.

Its tremors were felt in several Moroccan cities, including Rabat and Casablanca, and as far away as Portugal and Algeria. Marrakech, which is north-east of the epicentre, suffered significant damage to its old quarter.

According to the BBC, it is the biggest earthquake the area has seen in over a century, and aftershocks are expected to continue for days, perhaps weeks.

Villagers have been reported digging to try to find survivors, as response teams struggle to get machinery to remote locations.

The UK Foreign Office announced it has sent 60 search and rescue specialists, four search dogs and rescue equipment. Six of those will be firefighters from the London Fire Brigade, which the LFB said will help with “rescue, medical and logistics roles”.

British Moroccan Society

The British Moroccan Society (BMS) is launching an urgent appeal for donations. The charity works with local associations across Morocco and with a particular focus on the Atlas Mountains in the Al Haouz region around Marrakech.

Its fundraiser has raised almost £70,000, which will provide water, food, shelter and blankets.

Moroccan Children’s Trust London

The Moroccan Children’s Trust is raising funds for residents of Taroudant town and province, who have been left without food, water, clothing, and safe shelter.

Its fundraiser has raised over £4,000 to provide basic essentials, medicine and supplies for when schools reopen.

Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre

Al-Hasaniya serves the needs of Moroccan and Arabic-speaking women and their families in London. The charity is appealing for donations to provide aid and support to victims.

Souad Talsi MBE, acting chief executive, said: “All donations will go directly to the partner NGOs (non-governmental organisations) we know who work with community members affected and in need of our support. We will treat them as we have treated Grenfell victims."

Neeya CIC

British-born Moroccan Hanan Miezou, founder of Neeya CIC, is raising funds to buy tents, food and medical supplies to be sent to remote villages in the Al Haouz province. With its fundraising, the charity is sending a team to take tents for those whose homes have been destroyed in the south for 18 collapsed villages that have yet to receive any official aid.

Neeya CIC is working with the charity Syam and other organisations on the ground.

Donation drop off points in London

For those wanting to drop off items there are a number of collection points in London.

Clothing donations are being accepted at Green Laundrette & Dry Cleaning, 39 Lilestone Street, St John’s Wood, NW8 8SS until September 21, when iems will be sent to Morocco.

This list will be updated. If you are collecting donations to be sent over to the Marrakech area please email us at [email protected]