In the wake of a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on 8th September, claiming nearly 3,000 lives, the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) is rallying fashion buyers worldwide to contribute to the rehabilitation of Morocco’s fashion sector.
ETI’s call to action is clear, “We implore all international buyers to actively participate in the recovery process by engaging with and supporting their affected suppliers, workers, and their representatives.”
Furthermore, ETI is set to collaborate with its company, trade union, and NGO members to comprehensively assess the catastrophe’s impact on workers and supply chains.
Morocco serves as a crucial hub for all three sectors within ETI’s membership—apparel and textiles, food fishing and farming, and general merchandise.
Inditex, the parent company of Zara, has already taken action, donating € 3 million (US $ 3.2 million) to Spain’s Red Cross in support of the Red Crescent’s humanitarian relief efforts in the earthquake-stricken areas. The Spanish fashion conglomerate’s contribution is earmarked for addressing the basic needs of those affected, particularly in Al Hauz, Marrakech, Taroudant, Chichaoua, and Ouarzazate.
Inditex has also reached out to humanitarian organisations operating in the region, offering clothing, footwear, and home products to aid those in need.
Meanwhile, French sports retailer Decathlon has established a € 1 million fund to bolster local resources and assist local NGOs aiding communities in the hardest-hit regions. Decathlon’s local teams wasted no time, distributing thousands of sleeping bags, tents, and air mattresses directly to earthquake survivors.
The H&M Foundation, a non-profit privately funded by the owners of Swedish fashion brand H&M, has chipped in with US $ 250,000 to support the Red Cross Red Crescent’s relief efforts in Morocco, underscoring the global fashion industry’s commitment to helping Morocco rebuild and recover in the aftermath of this tragic natural disaster.
