Emmaüs Aid Convoy Perseveres Through Delays to Reach Morocco Earthquake Victims

It took eighty-one hours, including twenty-six spent at the port of Tanger Med, for the Emmaüs humanitarian convoy, loaded with donations from Mende, Marvejols, Rodez and Millau, to arrive in Morocco. The journey was long and exhausting, but the association members held firm. On the way, Véronique Magnaux, the head of the Emmaüs community in Rodez, had been optimistic: "With Emmaüs, it’s always a mess, but we always make it. The spirit of Abbé Pierre watches over us." "It’s unthinkable that we won’t make it to Morocco," said Mostafa Zinini, an employee of Emmaüs Rodez, when the first difficulties were encountered at the Spanish port of Algeciras. "You have to see all the work the companions have done. We have to go all the way."

The residents as well as the president of the commune and former deputy of the kingdom between 2011 and 2016, Lahcen Amrouch (Istiqlal party), welcomed the small French delegation in the courtyard of the Maison du miel in Argana, in the High Atlas, on September 22, reports La Dépêche du Midi. Traditional mint tea was served to the members of the association. After the trucks were unloaded by the eight drivers, discussions began on the violent earthquake that shook Morocco. "Here, in Argana, people felt the earthquake at 6.8," says Lahcen Amrouch. I was in Agadir. In the street, we could see the buildings moving, the power lines making sparks as they touched each other. But there, there was no major damage."

He will add: "Since the 1960 earthquake (which razed the city and killed 12,000 people, editor’s note), the rules for construction are very strict." The earthquake killed nearly 3,000 people, including nearly 500 in the Taroudant province, more than 5,500 deaths and enormous material damage. No loss of human life was recorded in Argana. Better, "all the fairly recent houses have withstood, justifies the politician. It was mainly the traditional dwellings that collapsed."

The association members took leave of the inhabitants of Argana on September 23. They expressed their joy at having received the donations. "On behalf of the entire Moroccan people and Argana, I want to tell you how much you have touched us by the great pain you have taken to come to us. You are at home here and we hope to see you again soon in better circumstances," said the president of the commune.