A year after a devastating earthquake struck Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, many residents say reconstruction has been slow, with some still living in tents or forced to relocate.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake, the strongest to hit Morocco in 120 years, occurred on September 8, 2023, claiming nearly 3,000 lives. The quake left widespread destruction in villages and towns throughout the High Atlas region, including Amizmiz, where numerous buildings were reduced to rubble.
While some homes have been rebuilt and others are in various stages of construction—with foundations being laid and walls rising—residents in several areas report that government-led reconstruction efforts have yet to fully take off.
The Moroccan government has allocated $11 billion in aid for rebuilding. Tens of thousands of earthquake-affected residents have received some state assistance, but reports suggest many have not yet received the full amount of aid promised.