Richard Penna

Earthquake

After the November 2023 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastated towns and villages in the Atlas Mountains killing over 3000 people, Souad felt that direct action and using her own initiative would create the most immediate, meaningful results, particularly for the weaver families affected. She approached businesses, designers and clients of Larusi to make contributions and, through their generosity, was able to personally organise the distribution of money, essential clothing, footwear and utensils to the small communities and hamlets she knew.

The photos show the devastation wrecked on a family home of three generations of weavers, well known to Souad. Astonishingly the room with the loom was the only one not badly damaged. The family are living in their courtyard by day and still sleeping at night in tents provided by the government. Clothes donations by the owners of a high street clothing brand, clients of Larusi, soft toys from London based charity The Toy Project and money raised as a result of Larusi’s interior design clients giving their usual trade discount to the cause all helped to make a significant and immediate difference at a crucial time.