Floods in Safi prompt calls for disaster zone declaration

Wednesday 17 December 2025 - 13:00

By: Sahili Aya

Floods in Safi prompt calls for disaster zone declaration

The city of Safi is facing growing concern after exceptionally severe floods caused significant human and material losses. The disaster resulted in dozens of fatalities and widespread damage to public infrastructure and private property, prompting civil society organizations and political parties to call for Safi to be officially declared a disaster zone and for victims to receive compensation.

The Moroccan Organization for Human Rights and the Association of Moroccan Bar Associations have stressed the urgency of activating the legal mechanisms предусмотрed in the event of natural catastrophes. They are considering strategic litigation to seek a court decision obliging the state to recognize Safi as a disaster zone, in line with Law No. 110.14 on coverage against the consequences of catastrophic events.

On the political front, the Justice and Development Party has sent a letter to the Head of Government urging the rapid adoption of the necessary legal and administrative measures. These include the official recognition of the catastrophe, the precise delimitation of the affected areas, the registration of victims, and the activation of compensation mechanisms provided for by law.

The party highlighted the scale of the damage in Safi’s historic medina, an area characterized by high population density and numerous artisanal and commercial activities. According to the party, this context reinforces the catastrophic nature of the event as defined by Law 110.14, which considers any incident caused by an exceptional natural phenomenon and resulting in direct damage as a catastrophe.

Under the current legal framework, compensation can be financed through a mandatory contribution linked to insurance contracts covering property, vehicles, or civil liability. For uninsured individuals, the Solidarity Fund against Catastrophic Events, a public institution with financial autonomy, ensures compensation through a dedicated solidarity levy.

Stakeholders are calling for swift and effective implementation of these mechanisms, viewing them as essential to mitigating the social and economic impact of the floods and translating the principle of national solidarity into concrete action during this emergency.