Communication: Personally experiencing Moroccan overseas Chinese disaster relief in Morocco | Chinese | Overseas Chinese
Xinhua News Agency, Tarudante, Morocco, September 15 (Xinhua) - Experience of Moroccan overseas Chinese disaster relief in person
Xinhua News Agency reporter Huo Jing and Wang Dongzhen
1500 blankets, nearly 300 mattresses, 290 down blankets, and 12 gasoline generators are the first batch of relief supplies raised by the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce for the earthquake stricken areas in Morocco. Yan Qinxing, President of the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told reporters that these are urgently needed and in short supply in the disaster area.
On September 14th, at the material transfer point in Tarudant, Morocco, Chinese and local staff unloaded the materials from the van and transferred them to a small truck into the mountainous area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
After a strong earthquake struck Morocco late on the night of the 8th local time, the Chinese Embassy in Morocco immediately coordinated the participation of overseas Chinese groups in the disaster relief efforts. Overseas Chinese in Morocco quickly took action and donated to the disaster stricken areas. At 10:00 on the 14th, Xinhua News Agency reporters followed the overseas Chinese relief supplies convoy organized by the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce from Tarudant, more than 200 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, to the deep mountains of Atlas.
Cai Jie, Vice President of the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told reporters that they raised materials worth at least 334000 Moroccan dirhams within 48 hours and completed all preparations to travel to the disaster area during this period.
On September 14th, at the material transfer point in Tarudant, Morocco, Chinese and local staff unloaded the materials from the van and transferred them to a small truck into the mountainous area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
Due to the severe earthquake disaster, starting from the 11th, there has been a severe shortage of supplies such as blankets and generators in the Moroccan market, and some material prices have significantly increased. The Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce uses various resources to raise supplies and purchases high-quality blankets. A 75 cubic meter container was packed with rescue supplies.
At around noon, the convoy arrived at the material transfer point. Due to the disaster area being located in the deep mountains, the road conditions there are complex and harsh, making it impossible for large container trucks to pass through. Therefore, it is necessary to transport supplies to small trucks at this transit point in order to enter the mountains.
On September 14th, at the material transfer point in Tarudant, Morocco, Chinese and local staff unloaded the materials from the van and transferred them to a small truck into the mountainous area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
Many Moroccan people came to help after seeing container trucks with the flags of China and Morocco. Two local police officers also came to give a hand, and they kept expressing gratitude to the team members. Soon, a convoy of small trucks drove towards the depths of the mountains along the winding winding mountain road.
At around 3 pm, the convoy arrived at a severely affected village. Seeing the generator being lifted off the car, the villagers gathered around cheered. A young man excitedly said, "We finally have electricity." He told reporters that due to the local power outage and no mobile phone signal, even if it's to report safety, the only way to transmit messages from here to the outside is through word of mouth.
On September 14th, members of the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce distributed candies to local children in a village on the roadside in Tarudant, Morocco. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
After the generator was debugged, applause rang out. Everyone, old and young, was very happy and took a group photo with the members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Seeing this scene, the guide Yousufu told the reporter with emotion that in this area, the material transportation team of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce should be the farthest disaster relief team.
On September 14th, members of the Moroccan Chinese Chamber of Commerce distributed candies to local children in a village on the roadside in Tarudant, Morocco. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
There is also a Moroccan girl named Dina who accompanied us this time. Her video of singing Chinese songs on the streets of Morocco has received over 100 million views, and she has a large fan base on various social media platforms. After Dina posted her own video of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's disaster relief efforts online, she received many comments from netizens. She showed these comments to reporters and said with emotion, "Many Moroccan netizens express gratitude to overseas Chinese for their disaster relief efforts, praising them for being steadfast in helping the victims."
Along the way, the reporter also deeply felt the enthusiasm and friendliness of the locals towards the Chinese people, and received many smiles from strangers, including the elderly, children, and young people. On the evening of the 14th, when a Moroccan learned that the journalist was from China, he gave a thumbs up and said, "Thank you."
