📋 Tender Overview
On 08.09.2023, Morocco was hit by a strong earthquake in the remote Atlas Mountains region. 2,900 people were killed and more than 59,000 houses were totally or partially destroyed. Morocco's reconstruction plan is guided by the king's directives involving locally adapted solutions. This project contributes to ongoing efforts by building sustainably capacity and knowledge transfer around expertise in earthquake-proof construction with local materials benefitting remote regions.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Morocco
Disaster Risk Reduction
01.02.2025 - 31.03.2027
CHF 1’099’000
The project in brief
Background
SDC has been active in Morocco until 2020 with a Cooperation Program.
On 8 September 2023, Morocco was shaken by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake killing 2’900 people and bringing infrastructure destruction. The epicenter was near Marrakesh in the High Atlas region.
Switzerland and other countries offered Morocco emergency aid. Support from Spain, Great Britain, United Arab Emirates and Qatar were accepted.
Support in transferring in a sustainable way expertise in earthquake proof reconstruction with local materials to remote regions in Morocco is welcomed by the Moroccan government.
Objectives Morocco’s construction sector and services in remote mountain regions, as well as governmental institutions and Academia know and pass on the knowledge on how to build better quality earthquake resistant buildings made from local natural materials.
Target groups Direct beneficiaries are:
Local construction workers, architects, engineers, technical specialists, Moroccan universities, Craftsmen gain a deeper appreciation for the significance and benefits of traditional construction methods.
National, local technical staff such as construction department and local/ municipal civil engineers.
Indirect beneficiaries are:
Local population, authorities and elected representatives in remote Atlas region.
National, possibly also international students in engineering.
Medium-term outcomes
Improved coordination of expertise is established to strengthen the domain of earthquake proven and climate resilient construction with local natural materials in Morocco.
Improved practical knowledge on a local level is gained, documented and shared through the construction of showcase buildings (école chantier) using different techniques and designs taking into account local needs, materials, and culture.
Sustainable transfer of knowledge of earthquake-resistant construction techniques using local materials is developed and passed on to the construction sector and its services, especially in remote regions.
Results Expected results: 1.1: A working group with the key Moroccan stakeholders is set up to meet and discuss regularly around topics on earthquake proven construction with natural materials. 1.2: Morocco and Switzerland develop an MoU defining roles and responsibilities to ensure sustainability of the objectives set in this project. 2.1: Seve
