• 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.

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.

1. Improved coordination of expertise is established to strengthen the domain of earthquake proven and climate resilient construction with local natural materials in Morocco.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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: Several showcase buildings are constructed in one location developing and bringing together practical knowledge around different materials and techniques.

2.2: A dynamic network is established around the local construction sector and its services.

3.1: The essentials of earthquake-proof construction with local materials are documented and made available in an ‘operational manual’ / ‘online tool’.

3.2: A training of trainers’ concept is developed by the working group. Steps to ensure sustainability of the training concept are being defined together with the Moroccan authority (incl. an officially recognised certification of the education training).

Results from previous phases:  

• Switzerland maintains its offer of aid to Morocco.
• To assess the situation/needs in the earthquake hit region two fact finding trips in 2024 were carried out by Humanitarian Aid and the Head of Expert Group Construction, contacts were established with the local population authorities, academia and International non-governmental organisations.
• The assessment missions resulted in the identification of a lack of overview of the different expertise and ability to transfer this knowledge to the population/craftsmen/architects/engineers in the earthquake hit High Atlas region.
• This project idea is welcomed by the Morocco authorities.

• Possible synergies with sustainable tourism project SECO/Morocco program priorities (pending approval) and existing university cooperation between Morocco and Switzerland.
• Possible synergies with the Himayatuna project1 in Tunisia could be considered in due time i.e. replicability of such action at regional level
• Possible synergies with past DRR projects carried out in Morocco by the SDC.