Morocco enacts emergency plan for extreme cold in remote regions

2008-01-27

Concerned about a cold snap in the High Atlas, members of Morocco's Parliament met with Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa to discuss the government's emergency plans to ensure the safety of Morocco's most remote populations.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 27/01/08

[Sarah Touahri] In an effort to provide relief measures, the Moroccan government has assessed the accessibility of remote villages after snowstorms.

Morocco's interior ministry adopted an emergency action plan this week to cope with a cold snap hitting the eastern High Atlas. Moroccans are still mindful of last year’s tragedy in the village of Angfou in Khenifra province, when some thirty people lost their lives after heavy snowfalls left the community isolated.

Members of Parliament voiced their concerns Wednesday (January 23rd) to Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa over a possible repeat of the catastrophe.

Benmoussa allayed their fears, saying an emergency rescue plan had been implemented as soon as two alerts came in from Taroudant and Azilal provinces.

The minister said a medical team was dispatched when residents of a village in Taroudant reported symptoms of fever and respiratory difficulties, and performed examinations and distributed medicine to 165 people.

Another team travelled by air to Azilal on January 5th, after cases of fever had been reported among local schoolchildren. A total of 125 people were examined and treated.

The government has also adopted an air assistance strategy, Benmoussa said, in which helicopters will be dispatched to transport medical teams around the country. Six such regional teams are on permanent standby. Their role is to provide first aid and arrange for the supply of food, wood and heating gas to be delivered to stricken regions.

The ministry has concluded an extensive survey to identity areas most at risk, such as those that become inaccessible for long periods after heavy snowfall. Data were collected from 935 villages across 19 provinces.

The survey categorised villages according to the level of risk they face. Some 400 villages were found to be badly affected. An additional 307 villages are expected to be reachable within a reasonable period. The government also identified villages located along national, regional and provincial highways which could be reached in less than 48 hours.

Provincial committees have been tasked with monitoring the situation. They are made up of local representatives of the royal police, supply and transportation services, health care, agriculture, water and forest services and back-up services, disaster and emergency services, and local councillors.

In addition to monitoring events, these committees will also be tasked with organising regular visits to stricken villages. A total of 843 out of 935 listed villages have received visits to date.

Benmoussa said the committees are intended to do more than disaster relief: "The various government programmes targeting rural areas are being implemented in order to make these regions more accessible, improve living conditions for inhabitants and bring about sustainable development."