Seeking Urgent Aid: Intrepid Travel's Appeal for Morocco in the Wake of a Devastating Earthquake

The heart breaking earthquake that hit Morocco only a few days ago has led to Intrepid Travel asking for immediate aid.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, Intrepid Travel has officially confirmed the safety and well-being of all its personnel, including staff members, tour leaders, and guests currently exploring the historic North African nation.

As a prominent global adventure travel company with a substantial presence in Morocco's tourism landscape, Intrepid Travel has made the responsible decision to cancel all upcoming departures scheduled until September 12. This move is aimed at facilitating an efficient response from local authorities to address the immediate aftermath of this natural disaster.

Customers directly affected by these cancellations are being promptly contacted and provided with options to either reschedule their trips or receive refunds. Additionally, those individuals whose planned journeys to Morocco are slated to depart between September 13 and 17 (inclusive) have been extended the option to cancel and receive a future booking credit.

Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid’s Managing Director of EMEA, who is herself based in Morocco, emphasized the company's unwavering commitment to safety, stating:

“Safety is always Intrepid’s number one priority – we’re relieved to have been able to account for all our customers and believe cancelling upcoming tour departures is in the best interests of local communities right now.”

She further expressed heartfelt concerns for those affected by the earthquake, pledging support for the recovery efforts:

"Our thoughts go out to everyone in Morocco who has been affected by this disaster, and we will do everything we can, including through the Intrepid Foundation, to support communities as they rebuild."

At the time the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday night, Intrepid Travel had approximately 650 customers in Morocco. However, their tour groups are dispersed across various regions, including areas that were less severely impacted. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the High Atlas mountain range, relatively close to Marrakech, a key economic hub and tourism hotspot, as reported by CNN.

In response to this crisis, the Melbourne-based tour operator has launched an emergency Morocco Earthquake Appeal through its not-for-profit arm, the Intrepid Foundation. This appeal aims to provide vital support for immediate disaster relief efforts on the ground. To maximize the impact of donations, Intrepid has committed to matching all contributions up to AUD $100,000 (USD $63,844).

Every cent raised through this appeal will be directed towards grassroots organizations, including Intrepid’s long-standing local NGO partners Education for All and the High Atlas Foundation. These organizations are actively collaborating with local communities to deliver emergency aid to the countless individuals devastated by this natural catastrophe.

Biheng Zhang, General Manager of the Intrepid Foundation, emphasized the extent of the disaster's impact:

“The earthquake in Morocco is the most devastating to hit the country in over a century, impacting more than 300,000 lives in the communities surrounding the High Atlas Mountains and beyond.”

She continued:

"While many of us cannot even begin to understand this level of loss, we can, by supporting this appeal, directly supply those impacted with emergency relief and support.”

In closing, Zina Bencheikh reaffirmed Intrepid's commitment to giving back to the country that holds a special place in the hearts of travelers:

“Intrepid was founded on the idea of benefiting both the travelers and the people in the communities we visit. Through this relief effort, we hope to give back to the country that has given so much to our travel community. My heart is with Morocco, my home, and one of the most special places in the world.”

 

Source: travelpulse.com