Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Princess Lalla Khadija Launch Ramadan Aid Initiative
Rabat – Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Princess Lalla Khadija launched the 'Ramadan 1446' solidarity initiative on Monday in Rabat.
They marked the start of a program that provides essential food supplies to one million families, around five million people, during the holy month.
For over 25 years, this initiative has stood as a gesture of support for vulnerable communities. It reflects Morocco's deep-rooted values of compassion and solidarity, ensuring that those in need receive assistance at a crucial time of the year.
With a budget of MAD 330 million ($33 million), this year's operations saw the distribution of 34,280 tons of food.
The aid includes staples such as flour, milk, rice, oil, sugar, tomato concentrate, pasta, lentils, and tea.
The program prioritizes widows, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities, many of whom face difficulties in securing daily necessities.
Most of the beneficiaries, which represent 74%, live in rural areas. The program reaches 1,054 municipalities across the country, ensuring that aid extends beyond urban centers.
For the first time, authorities have used the Unified Social Registry, a system designed to assess families' socio-economic conditions, to update the list of recipients.
The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs also chipped in financially, which aligns with the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity's broader efforts to assist those in need.
Thousands of volunteers and social workers help distribute the aid, while local and regional committees oversee the process to ensure fair and efficient delivery.
Several national institutions, including the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Ministry of Agriculture, contributed to this noble effort.
The Ministry of Health and the National Office for Food Safety monitor the quality of the food supplies to ensure they meet safety standards.
During the launch event, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Princess Lalla Khadija personally handed food baskets to 20 beneficiaries. Their presence brought a personal touch to the initiative, reinforcing the spirit of solidarity that defines the holy month. Tags: Holy monthHoly Ramadanramadan 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Morocco World
Operation Marhaba 2025: 29 Ships Prepare for 3.5 Million Travelers
Doha – Morocco has finalized preparations for Operation Marhaba 2025, focusing on four key priorities: traffic flow management, strengthened security, proximity support, and enhanced health vigilance. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita outlined these measures during a weekly oral questions session at the House of Councilors on Tuesday. The maritime component will feature 29 vessels from seven shipping companies operating 12 routes from ports in Italy, France, and Spain. Approximately MAD 28 million ($2.8 million) has been allocated to improve reception infrastructure at the Tanger-Med port. This year's operation anticipates an exceptional influx of approximately 3.5 million travelers, mainly Moroccans residing in Europe, representing a 4% increase from previous years. An estimated 890,000 vehicles are expected to cross the strait this summer, marking a 5% increase. This rise may be linked to the Spanish government's regularization program, allowing thousands of migrants to normalize their status and travel. The operation will feature over 12,000 maritime crossings—an 84% increase compared to 2004. 'Security and safety will be reinforced through enhanced border control mechanisms,' Bourita said. The operation will deploy 24 reception centers—18 within Morocco and six abroad—along with additional human resources in accordance with royal instructions. Read also: Marhaba 2024: Nearly 1.9 Million Passengers Have Passed Through Moroccan Ports The 36th meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish joint commission, initially planned for Tangier but relocated to Cadiz, finalized coordination measures that will be implemented between June 15 and September 15. Consulates will maintain their traditional extended schedule during this period, including weekend and holiday service. Staff numbers will increase, and mobile consulates will be established 'to support this large-scale operation under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, benefiting three million citizens,' according to the minister. Health vigilance remains a priority with specialized teams positioned along routes and at rest areas. 'The goal is to improve this operation year after year, to meet His Majesty the King's ambition,' Bourita noted. A massive joint workforce of approximately 60,000 personnel will be mobilized across all sectors. Spanish authorities announced the recruitment of at least 29,000 people, while Morocco will deploy a similar number of participants, including official institutions, administrations, volunteers, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, and other stakeholders. Preparations have involved multiple meetings of the National Transit Commission, chaired by the Interior Ministry. Another Moroccan-Spanish meeting was held in Cadiz on May 29, along with various thematic sectoral meetings. Streamlined reentry for Moroccan expats The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) announced new facilities for Moroccan expatriates on May 28. Notably, Moroccans aged 60 and above who have lived abroad for at least ten years can now benefit from a 90% reduction on the value of imported vehicles. Provincial and Prefectural Customs Directors can now validate applications based on authenticated documents, including residence certificates, foreign ID cards with overseas addresses, or consular registration cards. The administration has also simplified procedures for returning expatriates, who can benefit from a three-year aging allowance on their vehicle's age, limited to one vehicle per person and once in a lifetime. Previously required two-year pay slips for employees or tax declarations for merchants are no longer necessary. In Ceuta, authorities have launched a mobile application called 'Embolsamiento Ceuta' to manage traffic flow toward Morocco. Available in Spanish, French, and English, the app provides real-time estimates of waiting times at the Tarajal border crossing. Users receive a digital ticket with a QR code required for entry and exit from the regulation area, with paper tickets available for those without smartphones. Ceuta has also increased staffing with up to ten agents daily working in three shifts. Infrastructure improvements include more shaded areas and new drinking water points. Traffic forecasts predict a 4% increase in travelers and 5% in vehicles compared to last year, despite a slight decline in personal car travel. Tags: Marhaba 2025Marhaba operationNasser Bourita
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Morocco World
Health Ministry Reduces Costs of Key Medications Across Morocco
Rabat – Morocco's Ministry of Health and Social Protection has reduced prices on several important medications, including treatments for mental health conditions, Alzheimer's disease, and hormonal disorders. The decision seeks to make essential medicines more affordable and accessible for patients across the country. Published in the Official Gazette, the price adjustments follow a thorough review of original, generic, and biosimilar drug prices currently available in Morocco. The ministry assessed pricing requests submitted by pharmaceutical companies and recalibrated the costs for the public and hospital sectors. Among the affected medications is Almantin 10 mg, widely used for Alzheimer's treatment. Its price for the general public has dropped from MAD 140.40 ($14.00) to MAD 133.30 ($13.30). The hospital price has been lowered from MAD 87.70 ($8.70) to MAD 83.30 ($8.30). Another significant reduction concerns Dotarem 0.5 mmol/ml, an injectable used in medical imaging. The public price has fallen sharply from MAD 535.00 ($53.50) to MAD 326.00 ($32.60). For hospitals, the price drops from MAD 355.00 ($35.50) to MAD 216.00 ($21.60). These are just some instances among others from the list. These price cuts represent a clear effort to lower healthcare costs, especially for patients who require long-term treatment. The ministry's move also reflects ongoing efforts to regulate pharmaceutical prices and reduce the financial burden on both patients and healthcare providers. These efforts to lower medication prices are commendable and represent a positive step toward improving healthcare access in Morocco. However, many Moroccans continue to struggle with rising inflation, which limits their ability to afford even the reduced prices. For a large portion of the population, essential medicines remain out of reach and points to the urgent need for further measures to make healthcare truly affordable.
Maroc
5 days ago
- Maroc
Operation Marhaba 2025 Focuses on Traffic Fluidity, Enhanced Security & Local Support
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, said on Tuesday 03 June that Operation Marhaba 2025 is set to be mainly focused on ensuring traffic fluidity, enhancing security, providing local support and maintaining heightened health vigilance. Speaking during question time at the House of Councillors, Bourita stated that 29 ships belonging to seven shipping companies will operate 12 routes from the ports of Italy, France and Spain, adding that a budget of around MAD 28 million has been allocated to improve the reception infrastructure at the port of Tanger-Med. The minister also highlighted that security is set to be enhanced thanks to strengthened border control mechanisms, and that local support will be provided through 24 reception centers, including 18 in France and 6 abroad, in addition to the mobilization of additional human resources, on the High Royal Instructions. Bourita added that consulates will operate from June 15 to September 15, as usual, on a permanent basis (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), noting that staffing levels will be increased and mobile consulates will be set up "to support this large-scale operation, placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for the benefit of three million citizens." Health vigilance is also part of this general mobilization, with the presence of specialized teams on the roads and at rest areas, he added, emphasizing that "the aim is to improve this operation year on year, so as to live up to the ambition of His Majesty the King." Bourita also recalled that preparations for this large-scale, unparalleled operation included several meetings of the National Transit Commission, chaired by the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the organization of a Moroccan-Spanish meeting in Cadiz on May 29, in addition to thematic sectoral meetings. (MAP: 04 June 2025)
