According to the news, a strong and devastating earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale struck central Morocco, and the tremor was felt in other regions. As the dust is slowly settling, reports from the affected areas are that over 1000 persons have lost their lives, hundreds injured, many still trapped under destroyed buildings and severe damage caused to several regions. Thousands of Moroccans are rendered homeless. Many are in darkness and without water supply as electricity and infrastructures have been knocked out of functioning, and the country is mourning.

ITUC-Africa mourns and commiserates with the workers, our affiliates [Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), Union Générale des travailleurs du Maroc (UGTM) and Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT)], the people and government of Morocco on the losses, destruction, pains and setback that this earthquake has wrecked. We express our condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and continue to pray for quick and full recovery for those hospitalised.

Also, we wish the Moroccan military that has been deployed to help in the search and rescue mission success. We urge those left with a daunting struggle of rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities to stay strong and courageous and know that the entire African workers will be routing for their successful comeback.

Finally, we call on the relevant international humanitarian agencies to mobilise and deploy the necessary means and materials to assist the affected people and communities.

Issued on 10ᵗʰ September 2023
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah
General Secretary