Following exceptionally severe weather that has affected the Kingdom over the past two months, particularly in the Gharb plain and Loukkos, King Mohammed VI has issued High Instructions to the government to roll out a major aid and support program for affected families and communities, and to take the necessary regulatory measures.

In line with these instructions, the Head of Government has issued a decree declaring the extreme weather a catastrophic event and designating the most affected communes in four provinces — Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane — as disaster areas, according to a press release from the Office of the Head of Government.

The government has established an aid and support program with a projected budget of 3 billion dirhams (approximately $300 million), following a detailed assessment of conditions on the ground and a precise evaluation of the economic and social impact of the extreme weather.

The program focuses on the following areas:

• $77.5 million for rehousing support, compensation for loss of income, rehabilitation of affected homes and small businesses, and reconstruction of collapsed houses.
• $22.5 million in in-kind assistance and reinforcement of emergency interventions to meet the immediate and essential needs of affected populations.
• $30 million to support farmers and livestock breeders.
• $170 million for the rehabilitation of roads, hydro-agricultural infrastructure, and restoration of basic networks.

The King has also instructed the government to ensure that the program is implemented in an exemplary, swift and responsible manner, enabling residents in the affected areas to return to normal living conditions as quickly as possible.

The extreme weather conditions caused flooding across more than 110,000 hectares and displaced nearly 188,000 people in the provinces of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane, the statement concluded.