Morocco’s Statistics Agency agrees to provide UNHCR data on refugees in Country

Morocco’s national statistics agency (HCP) has agreed to provide the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reliable, accurate and extensive data on the situation of refugees living in the North African country.

A cooperation agreement was signed Thursday in Rabat by Moroccan High Commissioner for planning (HCP) Ahmed Lahlimi Alami and HCR Representative in Morocco, François Reybet-Degat.

The agreement has been sealed within the frame of Morocco’s migration and asylum strategy. It confirms Morocco’s commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2018 and the Global Forum on Refugees held in 2019.

In September 2020, the HCP, in partnership with HCR, conducted a study on the socio-economic and psychological impact of Covid -19 pandemic on refugees.

In 2021, the Moroccan statistics agency carried out a national survey on forced migration for the UN refugees’ agency. The two agencies have thus decided to enhance further their partnership to better understand the situation of refugees living in Morocco, highlight their success stories and address the obstacles hampering their integration and the regularization of their situation.

Speaking to journalists following the signing ceremony, Mr.François Reybet-Degat, praised Morocco’s efforts and actions seeking to protect the rights of refugees in Morocco where they have access to education, health care and labor market.