Convinced that solidarity in times of crisis and that individual contribution play the greatest role in facing challenges, while promoting the strengthening of human ties, Moroccans from Spain and elsewhere have mobilized to help the victims of the floods in the Valencia region, the most affected by the effects of storm Dana.
Kamal Lamrini Loukili, head of the Al-Noor mosque in the Valencian municipality of Paiporta, told Yabiladi: “My family and I lost four cars. The place of worship suffered significant damage. There is no longer any port or windows. The carpets and equipment inside were damaged.”
Despite the damage, the mosque served as a reception point for associations and volunteers. Kamal Lamrini Loukili adds: “Here, we stored the aid sent, including foodstuffs, clothes and blankets. We gave our support to everyone who knocked on our door, whether they were Moroccan, Spanish or of another nationality. We have also provided space to cook and distribute meals to people in need.”
In this sense, the call for volunteers launched by the mosque was heard, which resulted in the broad mobilization of all. Thus, it was agreed to organize the work on a regular basis, especially since the situation in the region still remains difficult, according to Kamal Lamrini Loukili. He explains: “Many have lost their homes. We coordinate with each other to welcome disaster victims into our home. The most affected are the residents on the lower floors.”
An exemplary organization of volunteers
According to the mosque manager, this ordeal proved the great popular solidarity, beyond any affiliation or origin. At the same time, “Moroccans, through their simple and effective efforts, were able to change certain preconceived ideas about them.” “We have become very respected here in a short time,” says Kamal Lamrini Loukili.
Among the MREs who wanted to help the victims, some came from far away. This is the case of Bouamama Koulali Kasouri, who made a long journey from Crevillent, 180 kilometers from Valence. A member of the General Coordination of Moroccans in Spain (Coordinadora General de Marroquíes en España), he declared to Yabiladi that he had gone there “on the fourth day of the disaster”, driven by “the duty to act”.
“We have prepared two trucks loaded with all the basic foodstuffs. Afterwards, we decided to distribute hot meals. Every two or three days we go to the disaster area and for each meal we distribute around 2,000 loaves of bread, in addition to breakfast, lunch and Moroccan dishes like msemen and harcha,” he told us. -he.
“The food we distributed was prepared with the help of Moroccan restaurants in the area, who volunteered to provide prepared meals. We buy the meat and other necessary ingredients, then the restaurants take care of the preparation and cooking.”
Bouamama Koulali Kasouri
Among the MRE, Moroccan women volunteered, especially to help in the kitchen. “Moroccan solidarity has become familiar here. The Spanish know that we always take the initiative when necessary. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were the first association to distribute 100,000 masks,” he said.
The solidarity of the Moroccan community was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Spaniards. Bouamama said: “When we knocked on doors to distribute food, some were moved, or surprised that a Moroccan was the one offering them help. Even people who had a negative image of us quickly changed their perception, given our outpouring of solidarity.”
Volunteer MREs from outside Spain
In addition to Moroccans from Spain, MREs from other European countries made the trip, such as Moroccan human rights activist Mohamed Ziani, resident in Germany. “Whenever disaster strikes, we make sure we go there to provide help. We arrived here last Friday,” he told us.
“Usually, in all our interventions, whether during the earthquake in Turkey or in Al Hoceima, we first assess the needs of the affected population, by carrying out field visits, where we carefully record expectations, then we move on to purchases. “That’s exactly what we did once we arrived in Valencia.”
Mohamed Ziani
“When we purchase essential products, we make sure to do so from affected merchants in the region, to support them economically. In addition, we prepare and distribute meals daily,” adds the association.
Solidarity is not limited to Moroccans. It concerns all nationalities. Mohamed Ziani appreciates that after the floods, the voluntary mobilization “brought together people of different origins and religions, in a beautiful image of unity and solidarity”.
