INFORMATION AND APPEAL FOR DIASTER IN MERZOUGA, MOROCCO
MAY 26-27, 2006

This letter is geared to those who have visited the Erg Chebbie
Dunes in the Sahara Desert, Morocco and the villages of Merzouga and
Hassi Lybed and know some of the local Berbers.

The night of May 26, there were severe thunder storms, hail the size
of golf balls, a lot of rain and wind which caused severe flooding
in the area. Most of the damage was in Merzouga as all the waters
hit the mud houses and destroyed over 250 houses. In Hassilybed,
the river also destroyed many houses along the river bed. In the
north of the dunes where there are some little hotels. Several were
destroyed and the only deaths- three- were in one of those hotels.

Thanks to the quick response of the government-the same night- there
were no deaths in Merzouga or Hassilybed. Many folks had to be
rescued by helicopter as they were trapped by the rivers in Merzouga
and others were encouraged to leave before the waters approached
Merzouga.

For transparency sake, I am an American who owns a small hotel-
Haven La Chance Desert Hotel near Hassilybed with a local Berber-
Hmad Ourdaras. I watched the river flow by like the Atlantic Ocean
in front of our hotel. We had minimum damage to our place. Still
have no electricity or telephone as of June 4, 2006 so have to go to
Rissani or Erford for internet connection. My partner and I also
are the directors of BLUE MEN OF MOROCCO CO, a tour operator company
in Morocco.

Many hotels were partially or completely destroyed but the emphasis
of my appeal is for help for the local folks. The government has
set up 150 tents in Merzouga and 30 in Hassilybed with about 6-8
people in each tent. The tents are 5 x 5 feet and are plastic.
Rugs on the floor and bottled water to drink. Blankets, bread and
sardines are provided. They are lucky to go eat in the houses of
others who still have houses intact. There are no sanitary
provisions- they cope as they are nomad origin and use the desert
for toilets.

In Merzouga, there are about 250 families who ran from their houses
with only their clothes on their back, with a lesser number in
Hassilybed.

There is adequate security provided by the government- military,
civil protection agency, national police. Plenty of ambulances and
doctors but no one is sick and medicine is not needed. The
government has started to fix the roads, trying to reestablish
electricity where needed. Some telephones work in Merzouga but not
in Hassi lybed. Thank goodness for mobile phones and car
rechargers!!

Soon, the government should clear away all the rubble and rebuild
the houses. There is still a lot of standing water and weather is
still rainy at times. Right now, I am concerned about help for
those who have only the same clothes as the night of the floods as
they lost all their belongings. I have been told RIGHT NOW clothing
and shoes for children and women are needed. School supplies and
knapsacks are lacking.

Meeting with the equivalent of the Director of the Office of the
Governor in the providence of Errachadia, I have been advised a
bank account is being set up to receive international funds. There
is to be strict control of disbursement of funds- a committee of the
government, local administers, and civil protection shall be in
control of it. Information will be available next week and I can
provide it as necessary.

I also am prepared to receive funds in my private bank account here
in Erfoud for those willing to work directly with me. People who
know me personally know I would use all funds received to purchase
items as needed for the local folks. I already have information on
where to go in Casablanca to get cheap clothing and will be assisted
by locals I know who know who needs help. Already outsiders have
come in- pretending to need help. Also, be aware of some locals who
are associated with associations as not all the money they are
receiving is dispursed as it should be!

Swift Code BMCEMAMC
Account Number: 011218 000 00 120 000 00 222 69
Name: Edna Elena G Hall
Address: BP 17
Haven La Chance Desert Hotel
Merzouga Errachadia 52202.

Local cell phone: 212 71556619
June 18- June 25: 34 610 477228

Available emails:
info@...; lachance@...:

elenabluelady@...

Many photos available upon request.

I am open to suggestions and advice- Thanks

E. Elena Hall
Co owner of Haven La Chance
Co Director Blue Men of Morocco Co.