Blog
11 Jun 2024
Thank you from our Moroccan team
We were in touch with our team immediately after the earthquake, and the scenes described were heartbreaking. People were living in makeshift camps on the edge of their decimated villages, with little or no facilities, not even blankets. The initial challenge was getting through the initial emergency phase, the shock, and keeping everyone safe in case of aftershocks or landslides. Temperatures were freezing and rainfall and snow all added to the challenge.
Of course, every natural disaster is a tragedy, but this one felt personal. Our Moroccan team is located in Imlil. The quake was bafflingly selective, devastating one village while leaving another in the adjacent valley untouched. Thankfully, our team was safe, and Imlil itself was relatively unscathed, but surrounding villages needed financial support to help them rebuild. Our fundraiser raised £9420 and came from ex-clients, prospective clients, friends of Tribal Tracks and complete strangers. We thank each and every one of you. Tribal Tracks, of course, also personally donated to the cause.
As soon as it was safe to do so, we resumed offering our exceptional adventures in Morocco. The High Atlas region heavily relies on tourism, and the local communities were eager for tourists to return. Despite the earthquake in September, our Imlil-based team was back to work with us by November, showcasing the resilient spirit of the Moroccan people.
Since the earthquake, we have had, amongst other trips in Morocco, numerous Toubkal winter summits, 100k Saraha desert treks, and most recently, a Morocco Three Peaks Challenge.
To date, we have released £8000 (in Moroccan Dirhams) to the teams in Morocco. This has been split between 16 families of our guides, cooks, and muleteers to help them secure and, in some instances, rebuild their homes (listed). This involved buying tools and materials (and their transportation) and paying for labour — indirectly benefitting the wider community.
The remaining money (around £2000) will be used to connect three (possibly four) villages to a safe water supply. We don't need to explain what a difference this will make to the people who live there! See the photos in the gallery below to see the first of these being installed. The first village to benefit from a water supply is Tinrhrouine, followed by Tinighouin.
Agafay Ibrahim (Guide)
Hassan Ouasmi (Cook & Muleteer)
Hassan Bouhlib (Guide)
Mustapha Imerhane Cook & Muleteer
Mohamed Aznag (Guide)
Ait Bihi Mohamed (Muleteee)
Youssef Imerhane (Cook & Muleteer)
Brahim Ait Tadarart (aka Yupy yupy)
Lhoussine Ait Belaid (Cook)
Hamid Ait Belaid (Cook & Muleteer)
Omar Aourik (Cook & Muleteer)
Ait Lhaj Mohamed (Cook & Muleteer)
Abali Lhossine (Cook & Muleteer)
Zouhair Imerhane (Cook & Muleteer)
Id Belaid Brahim (Guide)
Hassan Imerhane (Cook)
As we've already mentioned, Morocco, especially the High Atlas region, relies heavily on tourism—book an adventure! In fact, the locals have the phrase 'Douyouf Allah, 'which roughly translates as 'Guests are from God.'
Tribal Tracks use experienced local guides, muleteers, chefs, and book independently owned gites, guest houses, and hotels — food is, of course, bought locally. It's one of our favourite destinations. Aside from the fantastic trekking opportunities, the flight time is less than four hours and there are no visa requirements or compulsory vaccines.
We'll continue to update you on the water pipe project and plan to personally visit some of the homes and villages this September. If you're already heading to Morocco and want to take something helpful with you, let us know, and we will ask our local team if there are any specific requirements. We work with a number of local charities, who will always be thankful for any support trekkers can offer.
Once again, THANK YOU to everyone who donated (listed below); you've changed the lives of more people than we could have imagined when we started the earthquake appeal fundraiser.
All Anonymous Donors
Philip Robert-Tissot
Harrold Calvados Society
Craig Hatfield
Amy Noering
Gary J Fowles
Ben Coopersmith
Greg Stone
Stephen Cunningham
David Juett
Keith Neilson
Felix Henchman
Megan Graham
Roger Lowe
Deborah Critchley
Rob Lloyd
Emma Brock
Karen Ellis
Deborah Burles
Edgardo Adriano
Lidia Mestre
Ms S Cherrington
Alexandra Young
The Old Barn East Harting
Peter West
Cordlia Dyer
Ailbhe Ni Chaoimh
Alison Shannon
Peter Nye
Daniel McCarty
Emma Brock
Ben Coopersmith
Karen Ellis
Caroline Kelly
Annie John
Jo Lawrence
Andy Sloan
Lise Harrow
Jonathan Miller
Katie Lawrence
Megan Graham
Jeanette James
Victoria Gladstone
Chris Carlisle
Rebecca Porter
Graeme Shankland
Sophie Bland
Jason Bacon
Katherine Lowe
Tantse Walter
Cathy Thompson
R Clark
Rad Bristow
Marion Miller
Tribal Tracks
Lucy Hill
Lorraine Peterson
Anne-Marie Lacy-Smith
Steve Osborne
Pollyanna Bull
Erin Allan
Sarah Dingley
Gilly Nickols
Sarah Guest
Kevin Talbot
Let’s get you on the right track!
