Supporting communities affected by the September 2023 earthquake in Taroudant province to regain long-term access to safe drinkable water from clean renewable energy, Morocco
Supporting communities affected by the September 2023 earthquake in Taroudant province to regain long-term access to safe drinkable water from clean renewable energy, Morocco
Following a devastating earthquake in September 2023, many Moroccan provinces were left in need of humanitarian assistance, in particular the Taroudant one. Reaching a magnitude of 6.8, the earthquake caused severe damage to numerous water infrastructures due to a disruption of underground water networks, leaving boreholes, wells and reservoirs dry. This disaster deprived thousands of people of safe and reliable access to water. Located in the Atlas Mountains in South-East Morocco, Taroudant is a rural region described as a “semi-arid” climate. This Province has historically been underdeveloped, and has been exposed to chronic water shortages, worsened by seven consecutive years of drought.
“When we first arrived, we saw households waiting hours to fill a small container or walking to neighbouring villages because the taps in their homes had gone dry.”
Project Manager at Acted
With the support of the Alstom Foundation, the NGO Acted and its local partner, the NGO Reach Out Foundation, set out the objective to restore access to safe water in six communes of the Taroudant Province through the installation of sustainable infrastructures providing clean and renewable energy while reducing costs. The mission was in fact two-fold: Equip existing boreholes with solar-powered pumps and train local committees to maintain them for years to come.
At project completion in Fall 2025, and after the necessary feasibility studies and assessments conducted to propose the best solutions, 3,485 people have now regained access to drinkable water across nine villages through the installation of 105 solar panels to equip 6 boreholes in total. In order to empower the communities, 38 members of the 6 existing water management committees were trained on maintenance and repair through six technical trainings. 131 community members were also sensitized to sustainable water use by attending six water and hygiene awareness sessions including water management and purification techniques. Finally the project allowed to generate job opportunities for community members, as well as support more globally various key social infrastructures for villages to thrive (Health centers, schools, etc).
“It’s like night and day. Even without speaking the language, you can see the relief in people’s faces when a tap finally runs clear.”
Project Manager at Acted
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3,485beneficiaries
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105solar panels installed
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6technical trainings held