Rabat: Following the exceptionally severe weather conditions that have affected the Kingdom over the past two months, particularly in the Gharb plain and Loukkos, His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, faithful to His Steadfast Care for His subjects and Mindful of preserving their safety and improving their living conditions, has issued His High Instructions to the government to roll out a major aid and support program for affected families and populations, and to take the regulatory measures required in such circumstances.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the Head of Government has issued a decree declaring this extreme weather a catastrophic event and the most affected communes of the four provinces (Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane) disaster areas, a press release from the office of the Head of Government says.

The government has set up an aid and support program with a projected budget of three billion dirhams, based on a careful and in-depth assessment of the situat
ion on the ground and a precise evaluation of the economic and social repercussions of these extreme weather conditions.

The program focuses on several key areas, including aid for rehousing, loss of income, rehabilitation of affected homes and small businesses, and reconstruction of collapsed homes, with a total allocation of MAD 775 million. Additionally, it includes aid in kind and reinforcement of emergency interventions on the ground to meet the essential and immediate needs of the population, amounting to MAD 225 million.

Aid for farmers and livestock breeders is set at MAD 300 million. Furthermore, investments aimed at the rehabilitation of roads and hydro-agricultural infrastructure, as well as basic networks, are budgeted at MAD 1.7 billion.

His Majesty the King has also directed the government to ensure that this program is conducted in an exemplary, swift, and responsible manner, enabling citizens in the affected areas to return to normal living conditions as soon as possible.

The exceptional w
eather conditions experienced by the Kingdom caused flooding of over 110,000 hectares and led to the displacement of nearly 188,000 people in the provinces of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane, the source concludes.