Urgent call to action: Supporting Morocco in the aftermath of the recent earthquake

Abstract

The 2023 earthquake in Morocco caused significant damage to the country’s infrastructure. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) reported that most of the damage had been sustained by key infrastructure [1]. However, according to Stratfor, the Moroccan earthquake crisis can expect-edly severely harm the economy by 2024 [2]. Meanwhile, Capital Economics (CE) suggests that earthquake crises are unlikely to impact the Moroccan economy majorly [3]. Local authorities and humanitarian organisa-tions are grappling with a formidable challenge due to the profound impact of earthquakes on infrastructure. The main objective of this article is to underscore the pressing requirement for immediate action in dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake crisis, outline the hurdles encountered, and emphasize the significance of interventions related to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Furthermore, this article pleads for assistance from the international community and MHPSS organisations and accentuates the critical role of knowledge dissemination for future disaster preparedness and recovery endeavors.