Is It Safe to Travel to Morocco After the Earthquake?
Guest blog by Tricia Sexton, participant on Laura’s September 2023 Morocco trip
It was a Friday night in the medina (old city) of Marrakech and I was sitting on the rooftop of my hostel enjoying a family dinner of tagine and mint tea with my new friends. The conversations were fun and meaningful (my favorite kind) and we all felt like we were living our travel dreams.
We were in the middle of a deep discussion about letting go and trusting the universe when the shaking started.
It was 11:11pm.
Along with the tremors, I remember hearing a specific sound - it was a mix of rumbling, rattling, and cracking with distant sounds of tumbling bricks. It was like I could actually hear the plates under the earth shifting.
We all froze for a beat, not registering what was happening. Then, when it clicked, we all got up and ran (not what you’re supposed to do in an earthquake FYI).
The shaking only lasted probably 6 seconds but it felt like 6 minutes.
When it all stopped there was an eerie silence as dust rose up to the roof from the streets below and we knew buildings around us must have fallen.
Now what do we do?
After probably too much time discussing our options while sitting on a rooftop, we decided to head to a nearby square with open space.
As we walked out of the hostel we were immediately met with the effects of the earthquake. The building next to our hostel had collapsed leaving a mountain of rubble. Luckily the building was abandoned so no one was injured - at least not in this alleyway.
We went one at a time scrambling over the rubble and avoiding the power lines, trying to be as quick as possible because we didn’t know if an aftershock was coming that might put us in even more danger.
Once we made it through the rubble, we began walking through the narrow, winding alleyways towards the square. Along the way, we saw people huddle together discussing the situation, blood splatters on the ground, and a dog cowering in the corner. We tried to coax the dog to come with us but he wouldn’t move (we later saw him in the square unharmed and in better spirits).
When we arrived to the square, there were mostly Moroccan families and some fellow travelers all gathered in the center looking scared and weary.
Although we were going through a horrible tragedy, we were going through it together, and it was beautiful to watch as everyone looked out for each other.
Nearby shop owners were handing out mats for people to sit on.
Moroccan women were sharing their blankets with us.
We held towels up for each other so we could do our business in private behind a sheet of metal (when you gotta go, you gotta go).
Our hostel staff stayed with us and made sure we were taken care of the whole night into the morning.
And one guy even got pancakes delivered.
… That was our night for the next 6 hours until the sun came up.
The following days I felt dazed and slightly disconnected from everyone.
Moroccan families were displaced, sleeping in tents on the streets because they were either too scared to return home or their home was not fit to return to.
There were news alerts with a mounting death count in the High Atlas Mountains.
Aid and rescue operations were struggling to reach those in the mountains because of landslides and impassable roads.
This was scary.
I was feeling torn between wanting to leave this country so they could focus on rebuilding and staying to support the economy.
Every Moroccan that I spoke to about this dilemma said to stay and to keep coming back. As a country that relies heavily on tourism, they need our business now more than ever.
So I stayed.
I stayed to contribute to the local economy.
I stayed to connect with the Moroccan people and learn more about how I could help in this situation directly.
And I’m so grateful I did.
Being there at a time of tragedy has made me feel more connected to these people who have suffered so much loss.
Witnessing such immense devastation has helped me to appreciate all that I have in my life.
This experience shows just how unpredictable life can be. Knowing that nothing is guaranteed, you learn to cherish the little things, like enjoying a cup of tea on a quiet morning, hugging a friend, or walking barefoot in the grass.
This is what truly matters in life.
I hope my experience inspires you to move forward with gratitude and appreciation for all that you have, helps you to live more in the present moment, and motivates you to celebrate all that life has to offer.
Shukran, Morocco, for hosting me for 3 magical weeks. And thank you to all those who made it even more special than it already was.
I will feel forever connected to this beautiful country and will certainly be back. My heart goes out to all those affected by the earthquake, and I am sending so much love to all those struggling in these uncertain times.
I urge you to keep any Morocco travel plans you have or to consider traveling there to support the people and the local economy.
Book tours with local tour companies or join a group trip like Laura’s, where you can give back to local Moroccan communities through travel.
Eat at family-run restaurants.
Shop the souks (markets).
Use local transport.
Sit and talk with the local people.
If you cannot travel, consider donating directly to relief efforts. Here are some reputable places to donate to that were recommended to me and that I have personally donated to:
Amal Women’s Training Center is accepting donations to provide food, tents, and warm clothing to those in the high Atlas Mountains where the most damage was done.
Maroc-Assist was created to be a trusted hub of verified NGO’s and local aid channels in Morocco’s Earthquake Relief Efforts (there are several organizations to donate to on their website).
MarocMama is accepting donations to buy tents and warm clothing and delivering them directly to the families that request them.
Tricia is a Certified Life and Travel Coach with 14+ years of international travel experience. Her passion lies in empowering people to find purpose and meaning in their lives through intentional travel experiences. She's like your personal passport to a life-changing journey filled with fun, discovery, and growth! Connect with her on IG or visit her website to check out all her offerings.