Operation Marhaba 2022 Kicks off this Sunday, June 5

The 2022 edition of the Marhaba Operation to welcome Moroccans settled abroad who visit their home country for the summer holidays officially kicks off this Sunday June 5.

The operation is launched, under the Presidency of King Mohammed VI, by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, which expects the numbers of diaspora visitors to be higher this year after Morocco eased its COVID-19 restrictions. The expected increase is also explained by Moroccan expatriates’ longing to visit their home country and families after two excruciating years of COVID-induced disruptions to their vacation plans.

In anticipation of higher numbers of visitors this year, the Foundation has set up a global reception system in Morocco, France, Italy and Spain, and opened new reception sites across Morocco to provide social and medical assistance services to the Moroccan expatriates.

The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity is thus operating 23 reception areas, including 6 at the European ports of Genoa, Sète, Marseilles, Motril, Almeria and Algeciras, and 17 in Morocco, namely in the ports of Tanger Med, Tanger-ville, Al Hoceima and Nador, in the entrances of Bab Sebta and Bab Mellilia, in the airports of Casablanca Mohammed V, Oujda Angad, Agadir Al Massira, Fez Saïss, Marrakech Menara and Tanger Ibn Battouta as well as in the Mediterranean Jebha and Tazaghine rest areas.

For the first time this year, the Foundation is also operating sites at Rabat-Salé Airport and at M’Diq (Smir).

Social and medical assistance is also provided by social workers onboard long-haul ships.

Nearly 1,000 people including the Foundation’s teams, social workers, doctors, paramedics and volunteers have been mobilized to ensure the success of the Marhaba operation.

The Marhaba phone service will be available around the clock 7 days a week.