The worst earthquake in more than one hundred years has devastated regions of Morocco and left more than three thousand dead. The quake also damaged roads making it extremely difficult to reach remote villages with aid for quake survivors. Reporter Chris Mitchell of CBN News made the perilous journey with an Operation Blessing caravan taking relief supplies to those in need.
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SCRIPT: MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE OPERATION BLESSING
INTRO
The worst earthquake in more than one hundred years has devastated regions of Morocco and left more than three thousand dead. The quake also damaged roads making it extremely difficult to reach remote villages with aid for quake survivors. Reporter Chris Mitchell of CBN News made the perilous journey with an Operation Blessing caravan taking relief supplies to those in need.
REPORT (Chris Mitchell VO below in all-caps)
MANY OF THE ROADS TO REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MORROCO HAVE BEEN IMPASSABLE FOR DAYS. THE OPERATION BLESSING TEAM CONVOY HAD TO STOP AT TIMES SO HEAVY MACHINERY COULD CLEAR THE ROADS WITH THE DANGER OF ROCKSLIDES POSSIBLE AT ANY MOMENT. …AS WE DREW CLOSER TO THE EPICENTER, WE WITNESSED INCREASING DESTRUCTION AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN TENTS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
WHEN WE GOT TO THE VILLAGE ITSELF WE SAW A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION.
(STAND UP)
CHRIS MITCHELL, Tagntafet, Morocco:
AFTER A FIVE HOUR DRIVE, ONE FLAT TIRE AND SEVERAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY FOR ROCKSLIDES, THE OPERATION BLESSING MADE IT HERE TO THIS REMOTE VILLAGE ON ITS MISSION OF MERCY TO BRING HOPE AND HELP.
DIEGO TRAVERSO, Operation Blessing
“We’re one of the few, first ones, you know, to arrive here in this couple days that the earthquake happened. So, we are very happy that we made it. We made amazing connections here to support these villages that are unreached in this point; and we’re bringing vital supplies—food and water, solar lamps—there is no electricity here. We are here because we can show the love of Christ, first of all, as you know.”
(STAND UP)
CHRIS MITCHELL
THIS IS ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF BUILDINGS THAT WERE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED BY THE EARTHQUAKE. YOU CAN SEE HOW DESTRUCTIVE IT REALLY WAS. THIS ONE IS PERSONAL, BECAUSE THE BROTHER OF ONE OF THE OPERATION BLESSING VOLUNTEERS DIED IN THIS PLACE.
RASHID LOOKED THROUGH THE HOUSE WHERE HIS BROTHER HAD DIED.
RASHID, Brother of victim
“This is the place where he died, and we are really heartbroken; and the only thing he left was his sandal. The people don’t have anything and everything was destroyed, and you see the people gathering and helping each other in these villages. Not only my brother died, but many others died too.
IN ALL, 47 PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE DIED INCLUDING A PREGNANT WOMAN.
YASSINE EL MOUNIR, Operation Blessing Volunteer
“This is what God put in our hearts –just to go and help these people. And then to meet with guys and be, like, working together, it’s just a blessing for us, to have you here with us.”
DIEGO TRAVERSO:
“I want to thank Rashid for opening his village, his house, so we can come and help you guys. We are with him and your families in this very difficult time of sadness.”
RASHID:
“I love to be part of Operation Blessing. This is what God put it in my heart, to help these people.”
THIS HELP IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THOSE SUPPORTING OPERATION BLESSING.
YASSINE
First, I really thank you, and God bless you guys and we are just really happy to have you with us because we need you now.
CHRIS MITCHELL, CBN NEWS, IN THE VILLAGE OF TAGNTAFET, MOROCCO.
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