Date: March 13, 2024
In a significant gesture of compassion and solidarity, His Majesty King Mohammed VI inaugurated the national “Ramadan 1445” operation in the Yaacoub El Mansour District of Rabat on Wednesday. Organized by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, this annual initiative, now in its 25th year, aims to provide essential aid to one million households, benefiting nearly 5 million individuals during the holy month of Ramadan.
The “Ramadan 1445” operation, with a budget of 347 million dirhams, underscores the continuous High Royal solicitude towards socially vulnerable populations and embodies the core values of humanity, solidarity, mutual aid, and sharing that define Moroccan society.
The aid distribution will include 34,550 tonnes of essential food products such as flour, milk, rice, oil, sugar, tomato paste, vermicelli, lentils, and tea. This assistance is targeted towards the most vulnerable social categories, including widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
For this 25th edition, special attention has been given to 82,040 beneficiary households from the provinces of Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Chichaoua, areas affected by the earthquake of September 08, 2023. The operation aims to bring relief and comfort to those facing challenging circumstances.
Over the years, the “Ramadan” operation has witnessed a steady expansion, reaching 1,000,000 beneficiary households by 2023 (compared to 473,900 in 2017 and 600,000 in 2020). Covering 83 provinces and prefectures nationwide, with 74% of beneficiaries residing in rural areas, this initiative highlights the growing impact of the humanitarian program led by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.
Coordinated with financial support from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the nationwide operation aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission of providing support to those in need and fostering a culture of solidarity.
The implementation of the “Ramadan 1445” initiative involves the collaboration of thousands of individuals, including social workers and volunteers operating across 1,304 distribution points throughout the country. These dedicated teams will ensure the efficient and equitable delivery of food aid to the heads and representatives of beneficiary families.
To ensure transparency and accountability, two committees, one local and one provincial, will oversee the entire process, monitoring the supply chain, identifying beneficiaries, and supervising the distribution of foodstuffs.
Beneficiary identification, a crucial aspect of the initiative, relies on fieldwork conducted by local authorities who assess living conditions based on socio-economic criteria.
Supporting organizations such as the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, along with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, the National Mutual Aid, the National Promotion, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, and local authorities, collaborate with the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity to ensure the operation’s smooth execution.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection, alongside the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA), will oversee the quality control of distributed food products.
In a symbolic gesture, His Majesty the King personally presented food baskets to representatives of ten beneficiary families participating in the “Ramadan 1445” operation. This act not only underlines the King’s personal commitment but also serves as a powerful expression of solidarity.
Since its inception in 1998, the national food support operation has garnered a total budget exceeding 2 billion dirhams, with the number of beneficiary families growing from 34,100 in 1998 to one million in 2023.
The “Ramadan 1445” operation adds another chapter to the ongoing humanitarian efforts led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Through various initiatives, the King aims to cultivate a culture of solidarity and ensure inclusive, sustainable human development for all Moroccans.
