The Morocco Earthquake – How Scouts can help
All our thoughts are with the people of Morocco, following the devastating earthquake on Friday evening, 8 September at 11.11pm local time.
We know many of you would like to help those affected, including our fellow Scouts from Fédération Nationale Du Scoutisme Marocain, the National Scout Organisation in Morocco.
The epicentre of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake was 70km south of Marrakesh, in the High Atlas Mountains. An aftershock, measuring 4.9 on the Richter Scale, caused further damage.
The earthquake is the worst to have struck the country in 60 years. Over 2,100 people are reported to have died, with many more injured or left without shelter.
We send our sympathies to the families of the victims and share a message of solidarity to all those involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, including our fellow Scouts.
Moroccan Scouts supporting relief efforts
Scouts from Fédération Nationale Du Scoutisme Marocain are playing a key role in the relief efforts.
At a national level, they’ve formed an emergency team to coordinate the work. Locally, Scout volunteers are collecting medicine, clothes, food, and blankets for those affected.
Many Scouts have also given blood, helped get the injured to safety, and provided shelter to families that have lost their homes.
Donate
If you would like to donate to support people in Morocco, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the World Scout Foundation (WSF) have launched a global appeal for funds to support relief efforts by Scouts in Morocco and Libya.
Here are donation links to our programme partners, who are members of Disasters Emergency Committee (D.E.C):
- The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity
- Emergency Fund | Donate | Save the Children UK
The D.E.C bring together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis oversees. They'll distribute your donation locally in the most effective way to the people who need it.
Support for volunteers and young people in Scouts
Advice and programme ideas are also available for UK Scouts volunteers wishing to explore international crises, like the Morocco Earthquake with their young people. This’ll also be useful for those volunteers supporting young people in UK Scouts from Morocco.