COVID-19 Impact: 20% of Moroccan Households Rely on Government Aid, HCP Survey Finds

2,350 households representing different socio-economic strata of the Moroccan population in urban and rural areas were targeted by this survey. Its objective is to apprehend "the level of effectiveness of confinement, the knowledge of households regarding covid-19, the prophylactic actions, the domestic supply of consumer and hygiene products, the sources of income in a confinement situation, access to education, access to health services and psychological reactions".

The initial results of the survey reveal that 34% of Moroccan households entered confinement "even before the entry into force of the state of health emergency", 54% started confinement since the adoption of the state of health emergency, and 11% since the promulgation of the decree-law relating to the declaration of the state of emergency. Nearly eight out of ten households have fully complied with the confinement rules, and 21% partially.

The violations of confinement recorded are of an economic and professional nature. According to the HCP, 82% of the people who leave the home during confinement are heads of household, 15% are people aged 25 to 59, 2% are children under 18 and 1% are people aged 60 and over. The same survey indicates that the most well-known covid-19 symptoms among heads of household are "fever, dry cough and dyspnea". 7% of households have no knowledge of these symptoms. However, households are unanimous on the need to adopt barrier gestures to protect themselves against covid-19.

Regarding the financial aspect, the survey results revealed that "34% of households, especially in the rural world, claim to be without financial resources due to the cessation of their activities". 19% of households admitted "having received state aid to compensate for the loss of their jobs: 13% under the RAMED program and 6% under the aid program for formal employees registered with the CNSS.

According to the same source, 31% of the transfers received come from the state through the aid program for formal employees (CNSS). In addition, 18% of households who have not lost their jobs have also benefited from state aid. But despite everything, difficulties persist according to the survey results and prove that not all households who have applied for state aid have been able to obtain it. Others, surprised by the situation, have not yet made their request but intend to do so, while a small number believe they do not need the aid.