The Arab American Studies Association is deeply saddened by the news of the devastating natural disasters that hit Morocco and Libya last week. The casualties in both countries are in the thousands. The
damages and fatalities in cities like Derna in Libya have been particularly catastrophic. Many
mountain villages in the Atlas region in Morocco have been wiped out partly or entirely. We extend
our deepest sympathies to those who have lost their family members, their homes, and their
livelihoods. We stand with our Moroccan and Libyan colleagues as well as our Moroccan and Libyan
students in these difficult times.
These natural disasters come in the wake of the similarly tragic earthquake in Syria and Turkey, and
as that tragedy has taught us, the reconstruction efforts are going to take months if not years. Many
of our members are well-connected to aid organizations and NGOs in North Africa, but if you are
seeking to contribute and have no other trusted connections, you might consider donating to these funds:
UNICEF has organized flood relief for Libya:
https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-rushing-urgent-aid-flood-victims-libya
Morocco Earthquake Relief Fund, organized by our colleague Brahim el-Guabli (Williams College)
https://www.gofundme.com/f/psjn9p-morocco-earthquake-relief
