Morocco: King orders launch of Food Distribution Operation “Ramadan 1442” to benefit 600,000 households

King Mohammed VI has given his instructions for the launch of the 22nd edition of the Food Distribution Operation “Ramadan 1442”, which will benefit three million people, i.e. 600,000 households nationwide including 459,504 households in rural areas, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity announced on Tuesday.

 

The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity said in a press release that upon instructions of King Mohammed VI it mobilized for the implementation of the food support operation for vulnerable and poor populations.

 

The aid distribution will kick off on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan that starts in Morocco on Wednesday April 14.

This large-scale solidarity operation, initiated since 1999, will continue despite the context of health emergency, said the Foundation, noting that amid the pandemic, national solidarity and mutual aid are essential to relieve poor families that were affected by the socio-economic impacts of the health crisis.

 

The food supplies distributed during the operation, organized with the financial support of the Interior Ministry (General Directorate of Local Authorities) and the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs, include seven food products (10 kilograms of flour, 5 liters of vegetable oil, 4 kg of sugar, 1 kg of lentils, 1 kg of vermicelli, 850 grams of tomato paste and 250 grams of tea).

This 22nd edition will unfold in line with mechanisms abiding by the security provisions decreed by local authorities. Various health risk prevention measures have been adopted at the level of local monitoring committees in order to ensure the health and safety of the populations. They include the disinfection of supply centers, food baskets and transport vehicles, social distancing, reduction of staff and direct delivery of aid.

The heads of beneficiary households (widows, elderly, people with disabilities and people living in precarious situations), identified by the provincial committees supervised by the Interior Ministry, are informed by the caïdats about the door-to-door distribution of foodstuffs.

To food assistance will be distributed by small field teams made up of local authorities, the regional directorates of the National Mutual Aid, the Royal Gendarmerie as well as social workers from the General Directorate of Social Services.