One year ago today, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco, killing more than 2,000 people.

Maria was working her shift as a midwife in a maternity health center when the most destructive earthquake in Morocco’s recent history struck on the night of September 8th.

“Trapped under the debris, I thought I was going to die,” said Maria, who had received training in emergency health care response from UNFPA. “That night was difficult, but as soon as my colleagues helped me to get out of the rubble, we all managed to provide help and save lives.”

Rescued from the rubble, Maria quickly put her skills to use to save the lives of others. Coordinating with local authorities to organize helicopter evacuations for almost all the pregnant women in the affected area, she made sure they received the urgent medical care they needed.

Amid total devastation, Maria used the medicine she managed to salvage from the wreck of the health center to assist two women who had gone into labor to safely deliver their babies — one to healthy twins.

Your gifts ensure that when natural disasters strike, UNFPA is on the ground before, during, and after crises — working closely to ensure that essential services are integrated into emergency responses.

No matter what disaster strikes next, we need to ensure emergency preparedness across the globe so that women and girls can receive the lifesaving care and health services they urgently need when disaster strikes. Will you add a humanitarian gift to fuel this work?

UNFPA remains dedicated to making sure the people of Morocco and local organizations receive the support they need to safeguard the reproductive health and well-being of women and girls. Thank you for supporting this work.

— USA for UNFPA