Ottawa says it has not received any requests for aid from Morocco, but many Canadians have launched initiatives to help the North African country. (Photo: The Canadian Press)
A Canadian aid worker in Morocco said he witnessed “utter destruction” after the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that killed more than 2,900 people.
According to the United Nations, 300,000 Moroccans were affected by Friday’s earthquake.
Hassaan Sheikh of Islamic Relief Canada says his team is distributing blankets and mattresses in villages near the epicenter of the earthquake, about 70 kilometers south of Marrakesh, while bodies are still being recovered. Debris from destroyed houses on Friday.
Mr. Sheikh says that in the short term, Moroccans primarily need food, blankets and hygiene products. In the longer term, they need to rebuild their homes, roads and critical infrastructure, he adds.
Ottawa says it has not received any requests for aid from Morocco, but many Canadians have launched initiatives to help the North African country.
In Montreal, where there is a large Moroccan community, mosques and businesses organized fundraisers and warm clothing drives, while a group met online to collect donations.
The Quebec government pledged $1.5 million to organizations operating in Morocco, while major humanitarian organizations such as Islamic Relief Canada and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement launched fundraising campaigns.
In Ottawa, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced Wednesday that any donation from private individuals to the Canadian Red Cross for Morocco between September 8 and 28 will be matched by the government, up to a maximum of $3 million -Dollar.
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