South Wiltshire humanitarian charity bringing hope in Morocco
A team from REACT is helping victims of the devastating earthquake
Last updated 19th Sep 2023
A group of volunteers with a South Wiltshire based humanitarian charity are bringing calm to the devastated region of Marrakesh following the earthquake earlier this month.
On 8th September, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the Atlas Mountains, with a 4.9 magnitude aftershock.
According to the British Red Cross, almost 3,000 people have lost their lives.
REACT, which is based in Chilmark, have deployed a team of 12 volunteers to the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains, which is being led by Lizzy Stileman.
The former Army Major is using her 20 years of experience to make key decisions and communicate clearly with her team.
“Every disaster is different, but there’s always a common thread,” Lizzy told us. “Finding out what the people need is absolutely key.”
Lizzy, who’s on her 10th deployment to a natural disaster, said that it’s always chaotic on arrival, but the team try to bring a bit of calmness to that chaos.
“We take small steps, do small things and small things turn into big things.”
The team carried out a needs assessment to identify what people need – which is not always the obvious of food and water.
The REACT volunteers have been building emergency latrines and providing sanitation, as well as teaching people how to help themselves in the future and putting up tents to provide some shelter.
“The people of Morocco are really resilient,” Lizzy told Greatest Hits Radio, “You can see that they’re working hard together, the communities are knitting together.”
REACT in Morocco
REACT are running an appeal where we can support Lizzy and her team as they bring relief to the victims in Morocco.