Emergency Action Plan in favor of Moroccan Expatriates

Résidant à l’Etranger

In the context of the considerable interest on Moroccan Expatriates affairs and their accompaniment,  as well as the protection of their rights and interests, particularly in view of the exceptional situation that the world is facing today, which is linked to the coronavirus pandemic and its possible health, social and economic repercussions on Moroccan Expatriates, a draft emergency action plan has been prepared by the Ministry Delegate in charge of Moroccan Expatriates and discussed at the extraordinary meeting of the technical committee of the ministerial commission for Moroccan Expatriates and Immigration Affairs held on Friday, May 15, 2020.

This action plan which will cover a variety of administrative, economic and social measures of short- and medium-term  has been developed to accompany and support Moroccan Expatriates in difficult situations in order to help them meet the challenges related to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, in response to the urgent requests of our citizens residing abroad during this exceptional and special circumstance, the Ministry Delegate  has taken a series of measures, some of which are of an exceptional and urgent nature, in order to accompany and provide the necessary support to this category of citizens and respond to their various requests and needs. These measures include the creation of a working group at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, responsible for taking the necessary decisions at the appropriate time, in addition to the establishment of monitoring units within diplomatic missions and consulates, and a watch and guidance unit with a permanent working team at the level of the Ministry Delegate and its external services.

These measures also cover the burial expenses of the needy and those without insurance, in the Muslim section of cemeteries in host countries. Moreover, exceptional solutions to the problems posed in these circumstances have been found, including the extension of the validity of administrative documents, consolidation of the communication mechanism with Moroccan Expatriates via, in particular, the Ministry’s website, its official Facebook page, public TV channels and other media.

The emergency action plan includes a set of proactive measures to deal with the possible negative repercussions of the pandemic on Moroccans Expatriates at the social, administrative and economic levels. On the social front, programmes have been set up to support Moroccans residing abroad in cases of emergency or fragility, to improve and adapt the repatriation of the remains of Moroccans Expatriates in order to comply with the regulatory provisions of the countries of residence and to establish partnerships with banks and insurance companies in the field of life insurance, as well as to strengthen the emergency return programme to the country of origin. At the administrative level, measures have been developed to facilitate and improve access to administrative services on the national territory and to improve consular services. On the economic front, a programme has been put in place to support investment by Moroccans around the world, as well as to strengthen and improve banking and financing operations for this category of citizens.

In addition, the Ministry has set up a programme to mobilize Moroccan skills abroad, recalling that their expertise played a central role during the period of management of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in terms of support for Moroccan Expatriates, whether at the medical and psychological level or at the legal level, through the association of Moroccan Expatriates lawyers.

This plan was presented to the Ministerial Commission at its last meeting on July 10, 2020