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Gallery|Humanitarian Crises

Morocco copes with aftermath of deadly floods

A month after the tragedy, many remain in evacuation shelters, and isolated villagers still lack basic necessities.

Men walking by the main road between Sidi Ifni and Guelmim that was completely destroyed by the floods.

By Tarek Bouraque

Published On 16 Jan 2015

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It has been a month since torrential rains caused widespread flooding in southern Morocco.

The exceptional storms swept across several regions, including Guelmim, Sidi Ifni and Ouarzazate at the foot of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. At least 36 people were killed and more than 200 evacuated.

As the waters dissipated, the full scale of the damage started to become apparent. Around 100 mud-brick homes were partly or totally destroyed in the south, and 100 roads were cut off, including six national highways. The cost of the restoration is estimated as high as $103m.

A month after the tragedy, many remain in evacuation shelters, and isolated villagers still lack basic necessities. The Berber population of the Ait Baâmrane tribe has been left behind. In Sbouya, 10 families sought shelter in agricultural cooperatives, while others struggled into makeshift tents on the side of the road in Sidi Ifni.

Those who stayed in their homes have been trying to rebuild their lives after a major clean-up operation.

Isolated for more than two weeks, local residents of Sidi Ifni expressed anger after their homes were submerged, accusing the authorities of a tardy and ineffective response.

The city still suffers from poor infrastructure as main roads are still closed.

At least 100 homes were completely destructed by the floods. Many houses were constructed on the upper of rivers before being submerged by waters.
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An old man trying to climb the rubble of the national road between Sidi Ifni and Guelmim still isolated from the rest of the country.
Some of the shelters in Sidi Ifni offer only the most rudimentary protection from the elements.
Two young sisters remain in makeshift tents with their family on the side of the river for more than a month lacking of all basic necessities.
A woman washing clothes among the mud using the water from the nearest river.
Hundred of families such as those four children have been forced out of their homes to live in tents made of plastics.
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The national road between Mirleft and Tiznit collapsed after the torrential rains that hit the region.
A camp for tourists in Sidi Ifni was submerged by more than 7 meters of water. It was illegally constructed above the river according to local NGOs.
A camp for tourists in Sidi Ifni was submerged by more than 7 meters of water. It was illegally constructed above the river according to local NGOs.
Families attempt to clean up their belongings from the surrounding mud and debris.
The level of mud due to the floods reached more than 6 meters both outside and inside the house.
A major regional road between Sidi Ifni and Sbouya where many families lost their homes and cattle.
After losing their homes, ten families had sought shelter in a local agricultural cooperative of Sbouya.
A woman from Guelmim sitting inside the cooperative with her grandchildren. She pleads the King of Morocco Mohammed VI for help after losing everything.