On Friday, September 8th, a powerful, 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco's High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11:00 p.m. local time. The earthquake primarily affected the city of Marrakech and surrounding areas, a city of over 840,000 people. The earthquake led to at least 2,600 people killed, an additional 2,500 injured in critical condition, and widespread structural damage, making it Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades.

In addition to Marrakech, many remote mountain villages that surround the area have experienced critical infrastructure failure; and several of them have not received emergency responders or aid as landslides have blocked key roadways. With vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of this disaster and available resources falling short of the escalating needs, it is imperative that the global community mobilizes rapid and extensive humanitarian aid. International assistance will play a crucial role in addressing both immediate needs and facilitating long-term response efforts.

As we look to build that response, we know that giving in this region must be done with great care and diligence. CAF America is committed to supporting the vital relief efforts underway to recover from this devastating disaster. We have reached out to all of our eligible charities in the region to confirm their work in response to the disaster.

As an organization committed to enabling cross-border charitable giving, CAF America stands ready to assist US donors wanting to support the ongoing relief efforts. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can do to assist you: info@cafamerica.org or 202-793-2232.