A teacher in Morocco shared with the BBC that he is finding it challenging to provide support to traumatized students in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake, as he is grappling with his own recovery.
Abdelali Mahfodi, speaking from the town of Amizmiz, spoke to Newsday two weeks after the most powerful earthquake to strike the North African nation in over six decades.
Amizmiz has witnessed extensive destruction, with significant portions reduced to rubble. Mr. Mahfodi conveyed to the Newsday radio show that many residents in the town are currently unable to access basic necessities like showers and clean clothes.
The English teacher said his pupils need “psychological support”, but “I haven’t changed clothes in four days, how do you expect someone in this situation to strive in order to get students back on the rails?”
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred on September 8 resulted in the tragic loss of more than 2,900 lives in Morocco.
Morocco’s authorities have allocated 120 billion dirhams ($11.6 billion; £9.4 billion) for the reconstruction of affected regions and have pledged financial assistance to the victims.
However, a specific timeline for the implementation of these plans has not been provided. Morocco has been selective in accepting foreign aid and has agreed to receive assistance from only four countries: Qatar, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK.
For the complete account from Mr. Mahfodi, you can listen to the BBC’s Newsday radio show.