Elderly Belgian-Moroccan Opts to Stay in Tangier Despite Repatriation Approval

Imane received an email from the Belgian embassy in Rabat on March 28, notifying her that her father, Ahmed, was among the priority people in the humanitarian repatriation of 1,400 Belgian-Moroccans stranded in Morocco. The departure was scheduled for May 1 from Casablanca, while the old man finds himself stuck in Tanger.

The problem is that Sodia, Imane’s mother, is not allowed to travel. Yet, her help is essential for her husband. The couple had traveled to Morocco on March 9 for a return to Belgium on March 19. However, the suspension of air traffic has stranded them in the kingdom.

"It’s impossible for him to travel alone!" exclaims Imane, adding that he is soon running out of medication for his heart, and that she no longer knows what to do. She keeps contacting the Belgian embassy, but to no avail. Only her father is allowed to travel. The family then decides that Ahmed will remain in Tanger.