Morocco to Grant "Ward of Nation" Status to Earthquake Orphans

The Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Moroccans Residing Abroad Committee of the House of Councilors unanimously approved on Monday the draft law 50.23 relating to the granting of the status of "ward of the nation" to children victims of the earthquake in Morocco.

This draft law aims to provide immediate care to children who have lost their parents or guardians and have been left without resources following the violent and devastating earthquake of September 8, which had its epicenter in Al Haouz and affected the provinces of Marrakech, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Ouarzazate and Azilal. The text sets the conditions for granting these minors the status of "ward of the nation".

Minors with a certain disability or who have disappeared after the earthquake are also eligible for this status, "provided that they provide proof that their disappearance occurred after the death of their parents following the earthquake". The Hassan II Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works will oversee the implementation of this text, after its adoption and promulgation, and the taking of implementation decrees.

According to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), some 100,000 children were affected by the September 8 earthquake, calling for their care. In total, more than 300,000 people were affected by this natural disaster that killed nearly 3,000 people.