In the aftermath of a tragic earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives in Morocco, an outpouring of support has emerged from across France. Cities and civic organizations have rallied to provide essential aid to the hardest-hit regions.
In a room graciously offered by the Châtillon town hall, just south of Paris, a group of dedicated women sorted through a continuous stream of donations. These contributions included clothing, tents, quilts, medicine, and food, all destined for those in need.
With approximately 1.5 million people of Moroccan descent in France, the tremors of this disaster reverberated deeply on the other side of the Mediterranean. The Moroccan diaspora, comprising around 670,000 dual nationals, felt a profound connection to the tragedy.
Fedoua, a volunteer, shared her personal connection, saying, "It’s the country I was born in, and I grew up there, so obviously it affected me." Latifah, originally from northern Morocco, added, "It really shocked me. I think that it took me 24 hours to realize what had happened." She, too, joined the volunteers, impressed by the overwhelming support for the donation drive.
The solidarity extended beyond the Moroccan community. Many French citizens felt a strong bond with Morocco, given its history as a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956. Boubou, who had no personal ties to Morocco, emphasized the importance of helping those in need, saying, "I think in these moments we’re all connected."
Dounia Hannach, the driving force behind this donation effort, founded the Abajad association in 2018, offering French language courses to help people find employment. With an Abajad office in Morocco, Hannach aims to quickly transport the collected donations from France, focusing on winter clothing, blankets, and tents to aid those in the mountainous regions where temperatures drop significantly.
Recognizing that not everyone can travel to provide support, Hannach also established an emergency fund to accommodate financial donations. She plans to organize a second donation drive in the coming days.
The spirit of generosity is widespread in France as the earthquake's death toll continues to rise. Town halls, local associations, and even garage sales are raising funds for the affected regions. Prominent French charitable organizations, like Secours Popular and la Foundation de France, have appealed to the public for donations. The latter promptly committed €250,000 to assist quake victims.
