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Qatar Charity supports 34,400 flood victims in Morocco’s Tata region

Friday 14 March 2025 - 10:50 By: Dakir Madiha

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In September 2024, southeastern Morocco faced catastrophic flooding, resulting in the loss of 18 lives and leaving four individuals unaccounted for. This disaster was compounded by a subsequent incident in which floodwaters claimed an additional 10 lives when a bus was swept away.

Doha-based Qatar Charity has stepped in to offer urgent humanitarian assistance to around 34,400 individuals affected by these floods in the Tata region. The aid effort coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting the charity's commitment to supporting those in need during a critical period.

The assistance package provided by Qatar Charity encompassed a range of essential items, including water purification equipment, clothing for women and children, winter blankets, blood pressure monitors, solar-powered lamps to aid families without electricity, portable heaters, kitchen utensils, and school furniture for underserved areas. Additionally, the organization has equipped disability centers with electric and manual wheelchairs and provided sewing machines to help empower widows, divorced women, and spouses of incarcerated individuals, fostering economic independence.

Osman Maysar, the head of a local institution, expressed gratitude during the distribution ceremony attended by Tata Province's governor, Salah Eddine Amal. Maysar stated, "This contribution will significantly enhance the lives of beneficiaries and afford them greater mobility independence. We thank Qatar Charity and its donors for their generous support, which has brightened the lives of many children and afforded them an opportunity for a more dignified existence."

The aid arrives amidst ongoing hardships for flood victims in the region. The Tata Appeal Committee reported in October 2024 that affected families continue to lack essential resources and services, pushing them deeper into marginalization. The committee highlighted serious issues with victim registration processes, with residents expressing discontent over inadequate loss assessments and perceived inequity in treatment.

Efforts to collaborate with local authorities have failed repeatedly, as officials have systematically dismissed civil society initiatives designed to alleviate social tensions and provide inclusive solutions. Many families displaced by the floods have had to seek refuge with relatives or neighbors due to the absence of government-provided housing.

The devastation caused by the September floods was extensive, with reports confirming a total of 18 deaths and four individuals missing, coupled with another 10 fatalities and seven missing following the bus incident in Tata. The flooding led to the destruction of 56 homes.

In response to the disaster, King Mohammed VI has directed the government to undertake a holistic rehabilitation program. An allocation of MAD 2.5 billion (approximately $250 million) has been established for the reconstruction of affected areas across twelve provinces, including Tata, Errachidia, Midelt, Ouarzazate, and Tinghir. This initiative provides direct financial assistance of MAD 140,000 ($14,000) for homes that were completely destroyed and MAD 80,000 ($8,000) for those that suffered partial damage. It also aims to restore and modernize critical infrastructure, encompassing road networks, communication systems, electricity provisions, and drinking water facilities, across the severely impacted southeastern regions of Morocco.