Pope's closeness to Morocco and applause for the beatified Ulma familyPope expresses sorrow over earthquake in Turkey and SyriaThe main target of the "Caritas with Morocco" campaign are the cities and provinces of Marrakech, Tarudant, Chichaua, Ouarzazat and Al Hauz.
In this last province, located in the south of the country, has been the epicenter of this earthquake, specifically in the town of Ighil. On Saturday, September 9, as soon as news of the earthquake (which began on September 8 at 11:11 p.m.), Caritas Spain contacted Caritas Rabat to offer its help in these difficult circumstances.
Largest earthquake in the country since 1900
"It is the largest earthquake ever recorded in the country since 1900. The earthquake hit hard in an area of the Atlas Mountains south of the tourist city of Marrakech (...) The violent shock, which was felt in much of the Maghreb country around midnight on Friday, has caused material damage, the death of more than a thousand people and the collapse of several residential buildings. Rescue teams are searching for survivors in the rubble with the help of thousands of volunteers," said the Caritas statement on the website.
Monsignor Cristobal Lopez Romero, archbishop of the Rabat diocese and president of Caritas Morocco, reported on Saturday that the church in Ouarzazate had received some damage, but by then no human losses had been located in that community.
Pope prays for Morocco
On the other hand, the PopeIn a statement, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed his condolences to the people of Morocco for the catastrophe and assured them that he would pray for them: "Having learned with sorrow of the earthquake that has violently struck Morocco, His Holiness Pope Francis wishes to express his communion in the face of this natural catastrophe.
Saddened by this event, the Pope expresses his deep solidarity with those who have been touched in their flesh and in their hearts by this tragedy; he prays for the repose of the deceased, the healing of the wounded and the consolation of those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and their homes.
The Holy Father prays to the Most High to sustain the Moroccans in this ordeal and offers his encouragement to the civil authorities and the rescue services. He willingly invokes divine blessings on all as a sign of consolation."
How to collaborate
As of today, the death toll from the earthquake stands at 2,862, while 2,562 people have already been injured, although these numbers are likely to continue to grow.
Those interested in collaborating in the "Caritas with Morocco" campaign will find all the information at this link.
