The Emergency Committee, a coordinator that brings together the six main Spanish development aid NGOs, has launched its action protocols after the tearthquake that occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the Atlas Mountains area and has also impacted the city of Marrakech.

He earthquake, magnitude 6.8has left almost 2,500 people died, thousands injured and numerous people trapped under the rubble. The number of victims and affected people is expected to increase in the coming hours as rescue teams advance and reach hitherto incommunicado areas. The constructions and buildings in the affected areas are not strong enough to withstand the tremors, which increases the risk of collapses and victims.

In addition, there are hundreds of injured people who are in serious condition. Given this situation, the NGOs that are part of the Emergency Committee (SOS Children’s Villages, Educo, Doctors of the World, Oxfam Intermón, Plan International and World Vision) are carrying out the first assessments and organizing their emergency response in the locations where they are present, focusing their efforts on providing shelter, food, education, water and sanitation, and health care either directly or through local partner organizations.

“The first few hours are key. Earthquakes can cause fear, anxiety and possible post-traumatic stress disorder in children and some experience regression. safe spaces, emotional support and early intervention are essential for Help the children to cope with these psychological effects,” says Samya El Mousti, national director of SOS Children’s Villages in Morocco.

Activation of the Emergency Committee

“From the Emergency Committee we want to send all our support and strength to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. Once again, we have launched our action protocols to help the affected population. Thanks to the joint work of the companies that collaborate With the Committee and society as a whole, we will be able to save more lives,” comments Sara Barbeira, Director of the Emergency Committee.

The Emergency Committee was born to offer a rapid response mechanism in emergency situations that allows increasing citizen support in different humanitarian crises, acting as a permanent link between NGOs, companies, media and citizens, increasing social trust in NGOs in emergency situations, accounting for the impact of the action and acting jointly as a reference for emergency aid to society. Companies and media are already joining this joint call to help the victims of the Moroccan earthquake.

How to collaborate with the Emergency Committee

Now more than ever, the help that the Spanish Emergency Committee and its member NGOs are providing is essential to ensure and protect the people affected by the consequences of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Collaboration can be carried out in different ways:

  • Transfer to ES24 2100 5731 7202 0035 4082
  • Calling 900 595 216
  • Through www.comiteemergencia.org
  • With an SMS with the word “TOGETHER” to 28014 or 38014
  • Bizum code 02076