Morocco moves to eradicate begging
2007-10-03
A recent study revealed the most accurate figures to date on begging in Morocco. Officials hope to use the data to better adapt a programme launched last March to combat the social problem.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 03/10/07
 [Getty Images] Children's involvement in begging is a rampant problem in Morocco. |
The phenomenon of beggars is a major challenge for the Moroccan government. To address the root causes of the problem and to understand its full extent, the Ministry for Social Development, Families and Solidarity conducted a survey and announced the results on September 27th. A scientific inquiry throughout the country to evaluate the real size of the problem had never been carried out before.
Minister for Social Development, Families and Solidarity Abderrahim Harouchi said studies previously undertaken on the subject were more theoretical considerations. They have been useful in highlighting the problem of begging, but their evaluations were largely devoid of objective statistical methods.
The survey covered a sample of 3,400 beggars and showed that in most areas, one Moroccan in 150 is begging. According to demographics expert Najib Rassifi, there are 195,150 beggars in Morocco. "This figure is quite realistic, with a margin of error of only 5%." Women constitute approximately 51.1% of the country's mendicants.
The Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer region is home to the largest number of beggars, with a percentage of 21.8%, followed by the Greater Casablanca region with 17.8%. The area of Chaouia-Ouardigha-Abda Doukala recorded the lowest level, with just 6.8%. Whilst 34.6% of beggars are aged 40 to 59, young people of 18 years or less make up only 11.5%. A total of 35.2% of beggars are married.
Ahmed Lamrini, Secretary-General at the social development ministry said the report shows that people who resort to begging are motivated by the need to support a family. In addition, 66.7% of beggars are illiterate and only 0.4% of them have any higher education.
The survey's findings will be used to support the campaign to combat begging, begun in Casablanca in March. Over the past six months, some 440 beggars were admitted to the Tit Mellil social centre, of which 70% have been reintegrated into families. Two fifths of them will remain in the centre and 10% will benefit from socio-economic training programmes. The economic plan is geared towards people who want to run their own small businesses but are unable to produce the capital they need. With this in mind, the social development ministry has signed partnership agreements with a number of associations to finance 37 projects around Casablanca and Rabat.
According to Abderrahim Harouchi, "This strategy considers the living conditions and social situation of the beggars, but it also has a deterrent side to it, in that it tackles professional begging, particularly by applying the law criminalising the exploitation of children in begging."
The strategy will soon be rolled out in three more cities: Fez, Marrakesh and Tangier. According to the government, the chief objective is to tackle professional begging. Several people seeking hand-outs were caught with considerable sums of money. The director of economic and social affairs in the Wilaya of Greater Casablanca, Zine Elabidine El Azhar, said authorities have seized 942,496 dirhams from beggars. One single beggar was found with 300,000 dirhams.
El Azhar called for an integrated approach to the problem, based on agencies' intervention, family and socio-economic reintegration and the application of the law, particularly against repeat offenders and those exploiting children. He has indicated that raising awareness among the public is clearly needed, as well as information designed to educate the beggars themselves.
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Noureddine Boutahar Posted 2007-10-03
What about the causes of begging and poverty in this rich country? Corruption, the embezzlement of public money, injustice, unemployment, the huge gap between the big and small salaries and wages to mention only a few. If we handle these problems, begging will fade away abd disappear by itself. Look at the salary of our ministers, for example, whose number doubles that of china and many other countries.... look at the salary of our MPs whose majority does nothing but waits for the end of the month to get paid, look at that of our CEOs (chief executive officers) and many others and compare it to that of their counterparts in Europe and America! If we stay this way, the poor getting poorer and the rich richer, God alone knows the repercussions.
Beumgeau Kim Posted 2007-10-04
I'm a Korean Canadian to live in Rabat for 4 years. My friend introduces this web site few days ago. Your articles and news are very usuful to know more about Morocco and accross the Magreb conturies. Keep continue your contribution for the better world. From time to time, I may to send my opinion and photos for news and article. Is it O.K. to do that? But I want to know who is in charge of all these? Who will be my partner? You can send me the answer through my mail. Thank you for your attention,
Madghis Posted 2007-10-04
I hope Morocco will one day become one of the most prosperous in Africa. But in order to do that, we need to take care of our youth and our most unfortunate. We have to take care of the poor as if they were our own family and eridicate this mentality of You take from me I'll take from you. I wish the best for Morocco.
fouad Posted 2007-10-05
I read your article and I think it would be nice to have a link to take us to the Ministry report. Thank you
Richard Chapman Posted 2007-10-09
I have been to morocco a fair few times in the last 2-3 years and the 'problem' seems to be getting smaller begging will never go away their is still some in london. Many of the beggers seem to be women with kids/babies and to me 10 dirhams etc is not a lot of money... I'm not aware of their being such things as welfare in morocco ?? so expect most people rely on families and if you havent got a family where do you go in morocco ? the state needs to pay for the real poor like in western countries
Joanna Posted 2007-10-11
I find this article to be very interesting and eye-opening. Every day I pass on the streets I never really take notice of the mendicants. Thank you.
حسناء Posted 2007-11-06
Salam alaikoum, while conducting research on the phenomenon of begging with the city of Safi as a model, I noticed the absence of statistics specific to all cities given that the highest rate of beggars are on the outskirts of this city according to some personal statistics. I hope that there will be a follow-up of this phenomenon which is deteriorating continuously.
aziz hairane Posted 2007-11-14
I think the phenomena of begging is very most exited in Morocco,above all in great région of casablanca,so the Moroccan state try to fight against it,by to etablishes the stratégie to pick up beggars and assured his integration in to any socials associations.
abdellatif Posted 2007-12-04
thank you for this informatio but please if you can send me this artical
amina darif Posted 2008-01-01
begging is practise whereby person obtains moeny,food and shelter ;it exist every where such as streets,mosques;public places;post office and banks
tores Posted 2008-01-19
What a great website! I have a solution to begging.
فاتن Posted 2008-03-17
We thank you for publishing such features which tackle thorny topics such as begging.
telesphor Posted 2008-04-03
We are looking for partners for an NGO that combats begging in Niger.
abderrahim ezraidi Posted 2008-04-09
for me as a student,i think that the main cause for begging in morocco is the caste disparity significantly
abouiliass Posted 2008-07-10
In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful. If public servants and employees in this dear country have to beg because of the terrific rise in prices and the costs of a dignified life, they are just discouraged by a deep pride. If these employees and officials of the respectable state beg in some way, what can we say of those who have no stable job such as the pensioners, oh pensioners, day-labourers and people who are unable to work…? We ask God to cover us with His grace.
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