The Moroccan government has announced a relief programme worth an estimated 3 billion dirhams (about $300m) to support families affected by exceptional weather conditions that struck the country over the past two months, particularly in the Gharb and Loukkos plains.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said King Mohammed VI had instructed the government to put in place a large-scale assistance and support plan for affected residents, along with the necessary regulatory measures to address such circumstances.
The head of government has formally declared the recent weather disturbances a state of disaster, designating the provinces of Larache, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane — the hardest hit areas — as disaster zones.
According to the statement, the programme was developed following a detailed field assessment and a review of the economic and social impact of the severe weather. It is structured around four main pillars.
Some 775 million dirhams (about $78m) will be allocated to rehousing assistance, income-loss compensation, rehabilitation of damaged homes and small businesses, and reconstruction of collapsed houses.
Around 225 million dirhams (approximately $23m) will fund in-kind aid and emergency field interventions to meet the immediate needs of affected communities. A further 300 million dirhams (about $30m) has been earmarked for farmers and livestock breeders.
The largest share — approximately 1.7 billion dirhams (around $170m) — will be invested in repairing road infrastructure, hydro-agricultural facilities and essential utility networks.
The statement said the King had urged the government to implement the programme efficiently and swiftly to enable residents of the affected areas to return to normal life as soon as possible.
Official figures indicate that the floods inundated more than 110,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of nearly 188,000 people across the four provinces.
