Health Crisis Looms as Moroccan Slums Expand, Activists Warn Authorities

Several complaints have been addressed by the associations to the authorities of several cities such as Mohammedia, Settat, Berrechid, to inform them of the risk of exacerbation of unhealthy habitats, reports the daily Assabah which indicates that this situation is detrimental to the government program "Cities without slums".

These associations, which advocate for a healthy and regulated habitat, have called on the authorities to take their responsibilities and prosecute the perpetrators of these acts of incivility. According to the newspaper, the insalubrity of the habitats has developed since the elected officials, in particular the vice-presidents of municipal councils, are empowered to grant licenses for connection to the electricity network.

In total, 301,914 families have been impacted by the national "Cities without Slums" program as of the end of 2020, or nearly 66% of the families concerned, the Minister of Housing, Nouzha Bouchareb, had previously pointed out, adding that 152,000 families will also be taken into account.