As the management of the effects of the recent earthquake in Morocco is put in place to respond to medium and long-term challenges, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) indicated that in addition to reconstruction, re-schooling and medical assistance, one of the priorities in supporting affected populations consists of the continuity of psychological support. In an information note published Monday, October 2, the international organization, known by its serious and rigorous work, said that the dimension of mental health after the tragedy included both search and rescue teams and frontline volunteers, as well as local residents.
Based on data collected directly in the field at 30 sites in the most affected provinces in the Marrakech-Safi region, in consultation with the Moroccan authorities, MSF noted that most of the people in psychological distress were those who had lost loved ones, or whose villages were razed by the disaster. Therefore, the NGO said it offers “mental health activities and psychological support to local organizations, affected individuals, as well as frontline workers.”
“Our teams will work mainly through networks of psychologists, social workers, health promoters and other Moroccan volunteers, mobilized since the start of the response,” underlined MSF. “Our main activities will consist of providing psychological support to affected people and frontline volunteers, supporting the medical and paramedical teams of the Moroccan Ministry of Health, carrying out health promotion and mental health campaigns, while training and supporting local groups in psychological first aid,” added the same source.
In the context of the earthquake, MSF also noted that “the overall response of the Moroccan authorities, bilateral partners and the Moroccan people was remarkable.” “The emergency response plans of the Moroccan Ministry of Health, Army and Civil Protection were quickly implemented,” underlined the international NGO, which mentions “the installation of advanced medical posts, field hospitals and reference points” as a “crucial element for the urgent medical and humanitarian response”, provided “in a timely manner”.
“The Moroccan authorities, with the support of certain states, managed to extract people from the rubble, treat the injured, use helicopters to transport the injured from the most remote areas and distribute food and other materials to those affected,” MSF also noted, adding that it had “taken note of the comprehensiveness of the Moroccan government’s response and noted very few shortcomings.”
In addition to this evaluation, MSF announced that it had made six donations in response to specific needs expressed at that time by health centers or hospitals, between September 12 and 17. “These targeted donations were coordinated with the Moroccan authorities. They contained medical equipment and medicines, such as injectable medicines, analgesics (painkillers), antibiotics, insulin and medical equipment,” MSF said.
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