Thousands Homeless After Morocco Earthquake

March 1, 2004 - More than 550 people died and thousands were made homeless when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale ripped through Al Houceima, Morocco on February 24. The quake razed buildings as far 10 miles away. Repeated aftershocks have continued to affect both the city itself and outlying villages in the surrounding mountains.

More than 550 people died and thousands were made homeless when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale ripped through Al Houceima, Morocco on February 24. The quake razed buildings as far 10 miles away. Repeated aftershocks have continued to affect both the city itself and outlying villages in the surrounding mountains.

MSF continues an emergency response that began several hours after the earthquake, when an assessment team arrived at the scene. A truck full of emergency provisions arrived the next morning. In the days since, MSF has distributed several thousand blankets and more than 400 tents for those made homeless by the earthquake, and has made several assessment visits to small, isolated communities in the region surrounding the city.