Belgian Family Stranded in Morocco as Coronavirus Halts Flights, Faces Medical Concerns

"My three-year-old daughter has asthma. I suffer from polyarthritis. Some medications are lacking because we had planned a ten-day supply. And in the small village where we are, there are not all the medications we need," says Kathy Frère, 39. She, her Moroccan husband Fouad, 39, and two of their daughters, Mariam, 3, and Lina, 5, are stuck in Morocco, more precisely in Guercif, reports Belga. They were supposed to return to Belgium on March 21.

Kathy’s concerns are growing, especially since she does not know when their repatriation will be possible, while five other children of the couple have remained in Belgium. "We want to return as soon as possible. Given everything that is happening in Belgium, I have to go back to protect my children," laments the mother.

In Morocco, she is staying at her in-laws’ house, a 136-square-meter house for 14 people. "My in-laws and my brother-in-law are doing a lot for us. Yet, it’s not that easy." The children left in Belgium are getting by on the salaries of the two eldest. Kathy also sends them money when needed. Time is passing but there is no indication that they will be able to leave the kingdom in a few days. Yet Fouad will have to return to work on April 3 at a catering equipment rental company.

Since March 20, "the Belgian embassy has asked us for our names, first names and the name of the city where we are staying. She told us to wait. Just wait," Kathy confides. Nothing more.