Amir Khan and firefighters support Morocco earthquake victims

After a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco on Friday, September 8, thousands of people lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones.

Rescuers - including firefighters from Greater Manchester - are continuing to search the rubble for survivors, while charities work to raise money to help those affected.

The Amir Khan Foundation has teamed up with Smile Aid to deliver food and essentials to displaced victims.

Amir said: “The quake is the strongest to hit the nation’s centre in more than a century, and its epicentre was not far from popular tourist and economic hub Marrakech.

“At least 2,862 people have been killed in the disaster and 2,562 have been injured."

The retired boxer told The Bolton News, said: "The Amir Khan Foundation is always dedicated to stepping forward and help build a better society.

"One from the humanitarian aspect to help others.

"Secondly, from the aspect that if we ourselves contribute to a better world, a better society, this means we live better lives within our own homes and world.

"The Amir Khan Foundation has always been very forward in giving awareness and humanitarian aid for many of our projects around the world and most importantly here at home within the UK.

"With the most recent devastating earthquake in Morocco, again thinking of how we would feel, if our very own families were in the same situation, we could not just sit back. So our very own dedicate team at the Amir Khan Foundation has been on the grounds at multiple locations in Morocco were the earthquakes has struck such as Rabat, Agadir and Fes.

"Starting with emergency aid such as providing food packs, tents, clean water, clothings, human assistance especially for the elderly, we have even provided toys and sweets for the children.

"As with our other projects we are now working to help set up long term facilities for the communities and families affected by the earthquake. To donate or support our causes, you can visit the Amir Khan Foundation website."

Firefighters from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue team have been deployed to Morocco to aid relief efforts.

A GMFRS spokesman said: “Five of @manchesterfire's firefighters are continuing to work in Morocco as part of the UK ISAR Team to help with ongoing rescue efforts.

“They have been staying remote from their base and working closely with the Spanish ISAR team.

“The team are carrying out helicopter aerial assessments then travelling via lorry to areas of need - they have been sleeping in the rear of the lorry, but spirits remain high.”

The UK International Search and Rescue Team lead volunteers from 14 different fire stations to help in times like this.

Pictures show the firefighters treating people and searching in the rubble at the Atlas Mountains for trapped victims.

GMFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Barry Moore, said: “GMFRS is pleased to be supporting the national search and rescue operation in Morocco and we send our thoughts to the people of Morocco and everyone affected by this devastating event.

“Our team of five highly skilled search and rescue technicians have safely arrived in Marrakesh where they have set up a base of operations and we expect to hear more from the team in the coming days, but we are grateful to them and to their families.”