Reconstruction has progressed in the three years since the September 8, 2023, earthquake in the Al Haouz region of Morocco, which resulted in over 2,900 fatalities and more than 5,500 injuries. However, some survivors continue to live in tents, and opinions on the effectiveness of state aid vary among locals.
In the village of Ighermane, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Marrakech, 72-year-old Mohamed Ait Belaid reports positive changes. He transitioned from living in a tent to a newly constructed house, albeit smaller than his previous home. "I benefited from partial [state] support and received 80,000 dirhams [around €7,300] for rebuilding," he stated. "I added about 100,000 [€9,110] dirhams from my own pocket. And thanks to God, I like my new house and I'm comfortable in it. I'm at peace because my wife, my children and I are all healthy and I haven't lost any of them."
Conversely, in Azgour, about 40 kilometers away, 72-year-old Larbi Ait Jelloulat expresses frustration. He sits in front of the rubble of his former home, questioning, "I want to know where my rights have gone. Who took what's rightfully mine? For three years, I've been going from one department to another, from one complaint to another, just looking for an answer. Why have I been excluded? Am I not a Moroccan citizen?" Ait Jelloulat, a former council employee, faces bureaucratic challenges in proving his residency to receive aid.
Reconstruction appears to be advancing more rapidly in Ighermane, where about 90% of the village has been rebuilt. Omar Saeed from the Ighermane Association for Development and Solidarity reports that 114 of the village's 150 families received some form of state support, though many contributed additional funds for rebuilding.
In contrast, Azgour, which was severely impacted by the earthquake, has seen only 76 families receive assistance, while 56 others are still awaiting help. Ait Jelloulat notes that those who have rebuilt in different locations are encountering difficulties with water and electricity connections.
According to a statement from the High Atlas Development Agency (ADHA) in March 2026, 54,425 homes have been built or rehabilitated, with over 3,000 still under construction. The government has allocated more than 7.2 billion dirhams (€656 million/$770 million) to assist affected families, which includes funds for rebuilding and monthly emergency aid payments.
Marrakech-based architect Mohamed Belmejjad believes the state is performing relatively well in terms of construction progress, given the challenges faced in reaching affected areas and the complexities of reconstruction. He pointed out that factors such as the remoteness of some villages, transportation issues, and the need to respect local building traditions have complicated efforts.
Despite the progress, the National Coordination for Al Haouz Earthquake Victims reports that over 3,000 families have not received any state assistance. Montasser Itri, a member of the organization, explains that some families were excluded due to relocation for work, which affected their residency status.
Itri criticized the government for treating earthquake victims as statistics rather than individuals deserving of dignity. The coordinating committee is demanding an independent investigation into the handling of aid distributions and has organized demonstrations to call for compensation and housing solutions.
As the upcoming general election on September 23 approaches, some locals hope for change. Fawzia Aliban, whose home was damaged, stated, "[Prime Minister Aziz] Akhannouch promised us a solution to the issue and God knows we are waiting." Others, like Mohamed Belkaid, who still lives in a tent with his children, express skepticism about political promises, questioning the timing of political figures' visits and pledges for assistance.
This article was originally written in Arabic.