Atlas Mountains Earthquake Relief Fund

Hi, my name is Rebecca, I lived for 7 years in the valleys and villages of some of the worst affected areas of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco not far from the epicentre of the Earthquake that ripped apart lives, homes, villages and communities. Many of the survivors now have no homes, have lost loved ones and animals, they are facing into a long cold winter in harsh terrain.

Many remote villages have not yet been reached because of rock fall causing blocked roads. No power or phone coverage means they cannot be contacted. I am working with local village associations on the ground where I lived until 2020 that are in desperate need of help. I am coordinating collections of donated goods and foods here in Cork, Ireland to be sent by container to the nearest sea port in Casablanca. This aid will reach them when winter is setting in and supplies will be essential to stop more loss of life due to dropping temperatures.

This GoFundMe campaign will help support this effort paying for transport costs, logistics and assistance going forward.

Update September 24th: Because of logistics on the ground in the mountains, I have been informed that a container will be too large so we will send a truck overland instead.

How I am connected to these people I am raising funds for:

I lived in these small mountain villages for 7 years becoming very close and am considered family. I worked closely with villages fundraising for sapling trees, digging wells, food aid, distributing aid to remote villages and schools and helping locals with tourism websites. I have hiked many of the trails in these mountains and shared lunch in many homes. I work closely with the association in the village of Tagadirt n Ait Ali in the Imlil Valley.

My Goal:

My aim is to raise funds to finance the collection, transport and distribution of aid from Ireland to these communities both in the short and long term. Going forward they will need help to rebuild and I hope to be able to help with this monumental task ahead.

These are the items I am seeking to be donated for transport.

Dried Foods and staples that are familiar to the people.

Tents, sleeping bags and blankets.

First Aid Supplies. Equine bandages and supplies.

Solar lamps, candles, lighters, head torches with batteries.

Warm clothing, coats, gloves, hats and footwear for all ages.

Babies Nappies, women's sanitary pads, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. School copy books, pens, pencils, markers. Washing powder and fairy liquid. Pots and pans, towels. tools to help rebuild.

Items should be either new or in good condition. Second hand goods must be clean and in good condition: please respect these people when you are considering what to donate.

Second hand unlocked phones.

How are the funds collected:

I have a dedicated savings bank account here in Ireland from which funds can be allocated for the areas as needed.

I Rebecca O'Shea am the sole distributor of funds collected, some of which will be passed directly to Village associations in the High Atlas Mountains to purchase immediate emergency items like tents and blankets.

Update. September 24th. Homes are currently being checked for safety. Many are being deemed unsafe to live in and have dangerous cracks. People are desperately worried about the coming winter where they can live; tents will not protect them when the snows arrive. Schools also have to be rebuilt.

Current Figures:

Almost 7000 villages are affected with 50,000 homes destroyed with many more uninhabitable.

100,000 displaced/orphaned children. 3000+ deaths. 5500+ injured.

There are villages still not reached because of their remoteness.

Please note that every donation counts, no amount is too small. Let's work together to help the Amazigh people rebuild their lives, homes and communities. This will take many months of hardship, with your help it will ease some of that burden. Thankyou.

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