Under the High Instructions of His Majesty Mohammed VI, Morocco launched a rapid and large-scale national intervention to protect citizens threatened by severe flooding caused by successive Atlantic depressions Cristina, Leonardo, and Marta, which also affected Spain and Portugal before reaching northern regions of the Kingdom. According to official information reported by the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), Civil Protection, and all competent authorities were immediately mobilized to safeguard populations and prevent loss of life.
The storms brought heavy rainfall and rising river levels, particularly affecting the provinces of Larache, including the city of Ksar El Kebir, Kenitra, Sidi Slimane, Sidi Kacem, Tangier-Asilah, Tetouan, and Chefchaouen. Faced with this situation, Moroccan authorities adopted a proactive and preventive strategy that enabled the safe evacuation of more than 150,000 residents from flood-prone areas before waters reached critical levels. These anticipatory evacuations were carried out in close coordination between territorial authorities, Civil Protection, and the Royal Armed Forces, Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary forces, ensuring the protection of families living near rivers, low-lying zones, and vulnerable rural communities.
Under Royal Instructions, the Royal Armed Forces and the Royal Gendarmerie deployed helicopters and specialized rescue units to carry out emergency evacuation missions, particularly in isolated and mountainous areas such as those in Chefchaouen province. Military helicopters airlifted residents trapped by rising waters and transported vulnerable individuals, including elderly persons and families, to secure locations. Ground units equipped with emergency vehicles and intervention equipment supported evacuation operations, ensuring rapid response and effective protection of affected populations.
At the same time, authorities established reception centers and emergency shelters across the affected provinces to accommodate evacuated residents and provide essential humanitarian assistance. Citizens received shelter, food supplies, drinking water, and essential materials, while mobile medical units staffed with healthcare professionals were deployed to provide immediate medical care and monitor the health conditions of evacuees. This rapid humanitarian response ensured the safety, dignity, and well-being of affected populations throughout the emergency period.
Morocco’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively reflects proactive strategic planning carried out under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. On May 7, 2024, His Majesty inaugurated in Bouknadel a strategic emergency reserve platform dedicated to crisis and catastrophe management. This facility forms part of a national preparedness system designed to ensure the rapid deployment of emergency supplies, medical resources, shelter equipment, and logistical support during disasters. The establishment of such platforms has significantly strengthened Morocco’s national resilience and crisis response capabilities.
The rescue and evacuation operations also demonstrated the Kingdom’s strong spirit of national solidarity, as Royal Armed Forces personnel, Royal Gendarmerie, Civil Protection teams, territorial authorities, and local communities worked together to protect citizens and assist affected families. The rapid mobilization of helicopters, rescue units, humanitarian assistance, and medical teams highlights Morocco’s operational efficiency and its capacity to manage natural disasters effectively using coordinated national resources.
Through this proactive and sovereign intervention, carried out under the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco ensured the safety of its citizens, placing the protection of human lives above all other considerations and reaffirming the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its population through anticipation, rapid response, and national solidarity.
