ANDZOA Chief Assesses Devastating Flood Damage in Tata Province

Tuesday 01 October 2024 - 08:20

Latifa Yaakoubi, General Director of the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and Argan Trees (ANDZOA), recently conducted a critical site visit to Morocco's Tata province. Her mission: to evaluate the extensive damage caused by severe flooding that has ravaged the region.

The visit, carried out over the weekend, forms part of a broader initiative to implement Royal Instructions aimed at establishing a comprehensive rehabilitation program for flood-affected areas in southeastern Morocco. The urgency of this assessment cannot be overstated, as the recent deluge claimed at least 18 lives in the region, with Tata bearing the brunt of the casualties.

Yaakoubi's tour revealed significant destruction across several oases. Particularly hard-hit were Igmir, Anamer Smougen, and Aguerd within the Tamanart municipality. The Akka oasis in Kasbat Sidi Abdellah Ben M'barek municipality also suffered considerable damage. Further affected areas included the Kasbat oasis in Tissint and Akka Iguern in Akka Ighane, among others in the Tata, Tigzmert, and Adis communes.

The ANDZOA director's primary objective was to gather firsthand information on the extent of the destruction. This data will prove crucial in broadening the assessment to encompass other affected communes, ultimately informing an emergency intervention program for the agency.

In response to the crisis, ANDZOA has already allocated a substantial MAD 20 million from its resources to fund an immediate emergency program. This initiative will focus on two key areas: clearing waterways and oases of flood debris, and rehabilitating the drinking water network through the repair of damaged wells.

During her visit, Yaakoubi engaged in productive dialogues with local municipal heads and civil society representatives. The mission culminated in a working session with the governor of Tata Province, where various strategies to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster were thoroughly discussed.

This recent catastrophe follows closely on the heels of another devastating flood that struck other provinces in the region—primarily Ouarzazate and Tinghir—less than a month ago. That earlier disaster claimed at least 11 lives, with many others still unaccounted for.

As Morocco grapples with the aftermath of these successive natural disasters, the work of agencies like ANDZOA becomes increasingly vital. Their efforts to assess, rehabilitate, and fortify affected areas will be crucial in building resilience against future climate-related challenges and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable communities in Morocco's southeastern regions.