Legal Measures Shall Be Taken to Supervise Aid Handouts
Following the tragic stampede that occurred during a food distribution operation in a village near Essaouira, Sunday, and that cost the lives of 15 women, King Mohammed VI gave instructions to the Head of government, the Interior Minister and heads of other departments concerned to take all legal measures required to supervise assistance operations and aid handouts for the poor.
The announcement came in a statement released Monday by the Interior Ministry.
The culture of sharing is deeply rooted in centuries-old Moroccan traditions and has always been very present in the Moroccan society, at the level of the State, NGOs or individuals, said the statement, recalling that the medical campaigns, donations distribution and other solidarity-based acts that are staged all year long are a clear proof of this longstanding culture.
The country takes pride in the dynamism of its civil society fabric, whose beneficial action is acknowledged, respected and efficient, the statement said.
However, these actions, no matter how beneficial they might be, should not be conducted without a firm supervision, ensuring the security and protection of the beneficiaries and the benefactors, said the ministry. For these reason, it added, the regulations and the legal framework, ordered by the Monarch are very important to preserve Morocco’s longstanding tradition of solidarity and sharing and ensure security.
The Ministry also announced that pursuant to the royal directives related to accountability and principles governing relations between the administration and citizens, the Governor of the Essaouira province will testify before court, as part of the judiciary investigation opened by the competent public prosecutor’s office, in the strict observance of the rule of law.
Following this tragic incident, King Mohammed ordered the local authorities to take all necessary measures to provide support and assistance to the families of the dead and injured and also pledged to cover the burial and hospitalization expenses for all of the victims.
