Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal to raise money for victims of an earthquake that has killed at least 2,000 people in Morocco.
The earthquake struck a remote mountainous region southwest of Marrakech, where entire villages have collapsed, burying residents under piles of rubble. Many thousands more are homeless.
Two British hikers, who were trekking from the village of Imlil in the Atlas mountains, are understood to be missing.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake also struck Marrakech, causing some buildings inside the ancient Medina (old town), including an historic mosque on the corner of the famous Jemaa al Fna square to collapse. Local residents slept outside overnight
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice, saying: “On Friday 8 September 2023 an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Morocco near Marrakesh. Further aftershocks are possible. You should follow the advice of local authorities, and follow local media.
“All Moroccan airports are open and flights to and from the UK are operating normally, with some airlines laying on additional seats for travellers wishing to return to the UK earlier than planned. Travellers wishing to change their flight plans should liaise direct with their tour operators or airline companies. If you are planning to travel to Morocco imminently we advise you check with your accommodation provider / tour operator to confirm arrangements before departure in case of disruption or damage resulting from the earthquake.
“If you are trying to get in touch with a family member or a friend or the FCDO to share updates, be aware that telephone networks in Morocco are subject to outages. Should you require consular assistance please call the British Embassy Rabat +212 (0) 537 63 33 33 and select the menu option for consular services, or call the FCDO +44 (0) 207 008 5000.”
Intrepid has launched an appeal through its not-for-profit Intrepid Foundation, committing to match all donations up to £50,000.
It said all funds raised will go directly to grassroots organisations to provide emergency relief and support in Morocco following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
The Intrepid Foundation already has a partnership with Education for All and the High Atlas Foundation, which are working with local communities to provide essentials such as food, shelter, clean water and medical supplies.
The Intrepid Foundation will match donations up to £50,000 while covering the foundation’s administrative costs, ensuring 100 percent of donations go directly to recovery efforts.
“The earthquake in Morocco is the most devastating to hit the country in over a century. While many of us cannot even begin to understand this level of loss, we can, by supporting this appeal, directly supply those impacted with emergency relief and support,” said Intrepid Foundation General Manager Biheng Zhang.
Morocco is one of Intrepid’s biggest destinations. MD of EMEA Zina Bencheikh said: “Intrepid was founded on the idea of benefiting both the travellers and the people in the communities we visit. Through this relief effort, we hope to give back to the country that has given so much to our travel community.”
To donate, please visit Morocco Earthquake Appeal
*Photo, taken in Marrakech, courtesy of Hassan Ha Hajjaj via Instagram
The post Intrepid launches Morocco earthquake appeal as Foreign Office updates travel advice appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
The earthquake struck a remote mountainous region southwest of Marrakech, where entire villages have collapsed, burying residents under piles of rubble. Many thousands more are homeless.
Two British hikers, who were trekking from the village of Imlil in the Atlas mountains, are understood to be missing.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake also struck Marrakech, causing some buildings inside the ancient Medina (old town), including an historic mosque on the corner of the famous Jemaa al Fna square to collapse. Local residents slept outside overnight
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice, saying: “On Friday 8 September 2023 an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Morocco near Marrakesh. Further aftershocks are possible. You should follow the advice of local authorities, and follow local media.
“All Moroccan airports are open and flights to and from the UK are operating normally, with some airlines laying on additional seats for travellers wishing to return to the UK earlier than planned. Travellers wishing to change their flight plans should liaise direct with their tour operators or airline companies. If you are planning to travel to Morocco imminently we advise you check with your accommodation provider / tour operator to confirm arrangements before departure in case of disruption or damage resulting from the earthquake.
“If you are trying to get in touch with a family member or a friend or the FCDO to share updates, be aware that telephone networks in Morocco are subject to outages. Should you require consular assistance please call the British Embassy Rabat +212 (0) 537 63 33 33 and select the menu option for consular services, or call the FCDO +44 (0) 207 008 5000.”
Intrepid Morocco earthquake appeal
Intrepid has launched an appeal through its not-for-profit Intrepid Foundation, committing to match all donations up to £50,000.
It said all funds raised will go directly to grassroots organisations to provide emergency relief and support in Morocco following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
The Intrepid Foundation already has a partnership with Education for All and the High Atlas Foundation, which are working with local communities to provide essentials such as food, shelter, clean water and medical supplies.
The Intrepid Foundation will match donations up to £50,000 while covering the foundation’s administrative costs, ensuring 100 percent of donations go directly to recovery efforts.
“The earthquake in Morocco is the most devastating to hit the country in over a century. While many of us cannot even begin to understand this level of loss, we can, by supporting this appeal, directly supply those impacted with emergency relief and support,” said Intrepid Foundation General Manager Biheng Zhang.
Morocco is one of Intrepid’s biggest destinations. MD of EMEA Zina Bencheikh said: “Intrepid was founded on the idea of benefiting both the travellers and the people in the communities we visit. Through this relief effort, we hope to give back to the country that has given so much to our travel community.”
To donate, please visit Morocco Earthquake Appeal
*Photo, taken in Marrakech, courtesy of Hassan Ha Hajjaj via Instagram
The post Intrepid launches Morocco earthquake appeal as Foreign Office updates travel advice appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
