Representatives of UN Agencies laud Morocco’s exemplary response to pandemic
Representatives of UN agencies based in Morocco have lauded the Kingdom’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic as “exemplary”.
Morocco’s effective management of the health crisis and its socio-economic effects make of the Kingdom a model in the world, they said, during a virtual meeting on the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They highlighted the measures taken by public authorities to curb the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate the social and economic impact of restrictive measures.
Speaking at the virtual meeting of representatives of UN agencies based in Morocco, including WHO, UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF, with Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Morocco Sylvia Lopez-Ekra welcomed the comprehensive approach adopted by the Kingdom in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in terms of vaccination.
Lopez-Ekra welcomed Morocco’s responsiveness in declaring a state of health emergency as the first cases appeared, mobilizing the various industries for the production of protective materials, developing screening, and anticipating the acquisition of vaccines.
The health response has gone hand in hand with a socio-economic response, particularly through the creation of the Covid Fund and the launch of the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment, said the UN official.
This comprehensive approach, she added, has enabled Morocco to be among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of immunization, ranking first on the African continent.
Lopez-Ekra also announced the launch of dialogue with the Moroccan government to provide adequate support to the various sectors affected by the health crisis.
Morocco is “an example in the world” in terms of response to the pandemic, thanks to the measures put in place in accordance with the instructions of King Mohammed VI, said Maryam Bigdeli Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Morocco.
Morocco’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis has been effective, vigorous and powerful since the first day of the pandemic, she said.
Morocco has used the health crisis as an opportunity to strengthen its health system, multiplying intensive care beds, and training hospital staff.
“We also welcome the fact that Morocco’s sense of sharing has helped other African countries to obtain equipment and materials,” she added, highlighting the national vaccination campaign, which she described as “exemplary.”
During the meeting, the UN officials shared their perspectives on the actions taken since the beginning of the pandemic in terms of support to the Moroccan government and civil society activists, outlining their proposals for action in the context of the post-Covid recovery.
For his part, Bourita surveyed Morocco’s approach in the fight against the pandemic, insisting that the Kingdom has mobilized all instruments of solidarity to maintain social cohesion in difficult times and has accelerated the implementation of large-scale social projects, such as the expansion of social protection, which is particularly relevant in times of pandemics.
This meeting, which is part of the regular consultations of the UN team in Rabat with the Foreign Ministry in its capacity as National Coordinator of operational activities of the UN Development System, made it possible to assess the action of UN agencies in supporting the management of the pandemic and the post-Covid economic recovery.
The two parties agreed to continue their joint action to strengthen cooperation relations through the mobilization of promising partnerships, the promotion of concrete development projects and innovative solutions as well as the sharing of experiences and good practices in the framework of South-South and triangular cooperation.
