https://www.environnement.gov.ma

Risk management in Morocco

Founded in December 1957, the CRM is a non-governmental public benefit organization that works closely with the government on primary health care, prevention, and social protection programs.

In recent years, Morocco has experienced several natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, flash floods, locust infestations, desertification, drought, landslides, etc.) and some technological accidents. These disasters have resulted in considerable loss of life, significant material damage, and incalculable economic and environmental losses. Consequently, risk prevention has gradually become a major concern for various stakeholders, including government ministries, the private sector, and insurance companies.

The floods of recent years, and especially the Al Hoceima earthquake of February 24, 2004, have revealed several weaknesses intrinsically linked to the vulnerability of the socio-economic fabric and basic infrastructure, as well as to institutional, technical, and organizational shortcomings in dealing with disasters of such magnitude.

Thus, Morocco, aware that knowledge of risks is essential for a better reduction of the impacts of disasters, is working on the one hand to make it a shared responsibility between the State and citizens, and on the other hand to take into account risk prevention in national development policies and strategies.

Flood

Press Release – On September 8, 2024 in regions of Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tinghir, Tata and Errachidia, heavy rainfall has left the several material and human losses. Due to massive flood many houses collapsed and many people lost their lives (18 deaths and 8 missed) and their belongings (livestock, farming material, cars …)

World Bank Supporting Morocco on the path to resilience in the face of disasters and climate change

At Least One Dead in Morocco after Heavy Rains

by Naharnet Newsdesk 09 January 2021, 00:26

Torrential rain in Morocco this week after a period of drought has caused at least one death in its economic capital Casablanca, as bad weather remains forecast for the coming days.

Authorities said one person was killed and four injured after the roof of a structure in the old city of Casablanca caved in on Thursday evening.

A dilapidated house occupied by squatters has also collapsed in another part of the city, authorities said. Two people were rescued while the search operations continued.

Between Monday and Friday, precipitation levels in Casablanca rose from 35 millimeters to 100 millimeters, according to the meteorological department.

Authorities urged motorists to limit their movements due to storms expected until the end of the week, with wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour forecast along with rain and hail, and snow at high altitude.

The weather disrupted trains in the greater Casablanca region in recent days, and some neighborhoods saw flooding after the sewage system reached maximum capacity, management company Lydec said.

Moroccan media and social media users have criticized Casablanca’s dilapidated water drainage systems and what they say is authorities’ lack of action.

Yet the country has also welcomed the rain after a period of drought that has hurt its crucial agricultural sector, which accounts for 14 percent of the country’s GDP.

The program for resilience and integrated disaster risk management has helped to strengthen Morocco’s capacity to cope with natural hazards and climate change by supporting the development of a national disaster risk management strategy, supporting structural investments in risk reduction for more than 174,000 beneficiaries, insuring nearly 9 million people against bodily injury during catastrophic events, and creating a solidarity fund for the benefit of nearly 6 million of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

Challenge 

Morocco is among the countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region most exposed to geological and climatic risks. According to World Bank estimates, disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts cost the country more than $575 million annually. Furthermore, rapid urbanization and climate change are likely to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Approach 

To address the increasing risks of climate-related and natural disasters in Morocco, the project sought to improve the institutional frameworks for financing disaster risk reduction activities and to strengthen the financial resilience of targeted populations to natural hazards. To achieve these objectives, the World Bank relied on both financing and technical assistance. Two loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) were allocated under a results-based program (PforR). This is the first time the World Bank has used this financing instrument for disaster risk management operations. Designed to provide comprehensive support, this program supports institutional reforms and capacity building, increases investment in disaster risk reduction, and supports an innovative public-private insurance scheme. All these areas of work benefit from the technical assistance and capacity-building support provided by the World Bank. 

“ The Flood Monitoring Project, led by the Directorate of Natural Risk Management, has received funding from the Fund for Combating the Effects of Natural Disasters (FLCN), which is supported by the World Bank. It is being implemented in four pilot zones and aims to improve flood risk management in the Kingdom of Morocco. This project is being carried out in close collaboration with the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM), the Directorate of Water Research and Planning (DRPE), as well as the four River Basin Agencies and pilot provinces. Its main objective is to establish an integrated risk management support system organized around a national center and operational provincial centers that will monitor flood risk and support emergency response authorities in implementing preventive measures .”  Achraf Hadine, Head of the National Risk Forecasting Center, Directorate of Natural Risk Management, Ministry of the Interior, Kingdom of Morocco 

Results 

By focusing on strengthening disaster risk management and financing, the program directly contributes to objective 10 of the country partnership framework established with Morocco, which aims to “improve adaptation to climate change and resilience to natural disasters”.  

The program has enabled Morocco to better adapt to climate change and improve its resilience to natural disasters by contributing to the following results: 

• The National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) has been restructured, transitioning from an emergency response mechanism to a national resilience fund. As of March 2022, the fund had supported 180 disaster risk reduction projects, representing a total investment of $304 million, of which $111 million was co-financed by the NDF. Completed structural projects cover more than 174,000 direct beneficiaries nationwide.  
• In February 2021, Morocco’s first national disaster risk management strategy (2021-2031) was developed under the leadership of the newly created Directorate of Natural Risk Management within the Ministry of the Interior. This strategy resulted in a priority action plan (2021-2023) and an operational action plan (2021-2026) encompassing 18 programs and 57 projects. 
• An innovative insurance program to cover the consequences of catastrophic events (Law No. 110-14) was passed in 2018 and took effect in January 2020. The law introduced a private insurance program covering nearly 9 million people and created a separate Catastrophic Events Solidarity Fund (CESF) for the poorest and most vulnerable households (approximately 6 million people). The combined private and public programs can pay out approximately $100 million in benefits annually. 

Contribution of the World Bank Group 

The World Bank has provided a total of $300 million in funding for its results-oriented program on resilience and integrated disaster risk management. This program was complemented by several technical assistance programs funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for approximately $1.5 million, including support for the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (NDRS), the national natural hazard management strategy, urban resilience, and disaster risk financing and insurance solutions.  

Partners 

The project’s main partners are the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The World Bank has pursued a collaborative approach with these partners through regular implementation support missions.  

Perspectives  

Until its closure (scheduled for December 31, 2023), the program will continue to work to improve the impact of disaster risk reduction projects funded by the FLCN and to support the operationalization of the new Directorate of Natural Hazard Management. This Directorate will ensure the sustainability of the program’s progress, as it will act as the main coordinating institution for disaster risk management and oversee the implementation of the national disaster risk strategy. The approach taken by this program has been replicated in other countries: results-based programs for disaster risk management have been implemented in Mozambique and, more recently, in Tunisia.  

Elements of a National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Major Risks

The Department of the Environment, in collaboration with and with financial support from the UNDP, has launched a project to develop the elements of a National Strategy for Disaster Risk Prevention and Management.This strategy document is structured in two parts: the first part provides an overview of all aspects of current disaster risk management in Morocco, and the second part proposes strategic directions for improving the effectiveness of disaster risk management and prevention in Morocco, based on the strategic pillars of the Hyogo Declaration.This document will serve as a working basis for developing a comprehensive and integrated approach to 

disaster risk management and reduction, with support from the World Bank.

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Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for major risks

The main objective of implementing the Geographic Information System (GIS) for natural and technological risks at the national level is to have a database enabling the development of thematic risk distribution maps for Morocco and also to serve as a decision-making tool for developing risk prevention plans.The GIS implementation was carried out in three phases:

• Phase 1: Collection of data relating to natural and technological risks in Morocco;
• Phase 2: Development of the Risk GIS
• Phase 3: Setting up the web mapping server and developing communication tools.

During the “Identification, Collection, and Creation of the Risk Database” phase, all existing information on major risks in Morocco was collected, analyzed, processed, and structured. This work enabled the identification, description, and geographical location of the following risks:

• Seismic risk / Tsunamis;
• The risk of mass movement;
• The risk of flooding;
• The risk of forest fires;
• The risk of locust invasion;
• Technological risk; and
• Chemical risk.

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The National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution (PUN)

In order to address massive accidental pollution or serious threats of massive pollution affecting or likely to affect marine waters under national sovereignty or jurisdiction, as well as the Moroccan coastline (and its related interests), an emergency plan called the “National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution” is established.The National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution “compiles the information, directives, and instructions necessary for public authorities to prevent or combat, under the best possible conditions, any massive marine pollution by hydrocarbons and other harmful products that threatens the marine environment and the national coastline.The national emergency plan includes provisions aimed at ensuring:

• the establishment of an appropriate detection and alert system in the event of massive marine pollution;
• the rapid, efficient and coordinated organization of prevention and control actions and the definition of the main elements in particular by rational management of control resources, the distribution of responsibilities and tasks, the identification of the most sensitive areas to be protected as a priority and of storage sites for recovered products;
• international cooperation and to facilitate mutual assistance if such assistance is requested or if Morocco is engaged, due to agreements to which it is a party, in an action of international cooperation;
• the accounting management of operations with a view to possible subsequent compensation;
• managing the stock of anti-pollution products and equipment, as well as updating the inventory of available personnel and equipment;
• training and education of qualified personnel in the prevention and control of massive marine pollution by hydrocarbons and other harmful products.

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The National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution (PUN)

The overall responsibility for preparing for and conducting the response to massive accidental marine pollution lies with the government authority in charge of environmental protection, which is designated as the national coordinator.Decree 

No. 95-717 of 10 Rajab 1417 (November 22, 1996) , establishing the National Unified Pollution Response Plan (PUN), and its implementing order 

No. 3-3-00 of 17 Jumada I 1424 (July 16, 2003) , develop an organization at the national and local levels, designating the Department of the Environment as the 

National Coordinator and the Governors 

as Local Coordinators , and distributing tasks and responsibilities among the relevant departments according to their prerogatives.

The structures of the PUN

At the national level, the overall responsibility for combating accidental marine pollution is entrusted to the Department of the Environment, whose mission is to lead and coordinate preventive and response actions between the Departments concerned by the PUN and to develop and strengthen international, regional and sub-regional cooperation on accidental marine pollution.

To this end, the Department of the Environment has established a Strategic Intervention Service which acts as the permanent secretariat for the Plan. This service contributes to the implementation of prevention projects and the updating of the National Urban Plan (PUN), staff training, and the implementation of awareness-raising activities.

At the local level, the responsibility for the fight at sea and on land is entrusted to the Governor of the Prefecture or Province appointed as Local Coordinator.

At sea, anti-corruption operations are entrusted to the Royal Navy Inspectorate. In carrying out its duties, it collaborates closely with the following departments: the Merchant Marine, the National Ports Agency, Maritime Fisheries, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Royal Air Force.

On land, firefighting operations are entrusted to the General Directorate of Civil Protection. In carrying out its duties, it collaborates closely with the following departments: Equipment (transport), Environment, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Royal Armed Forces.

Equipment storage centers

Two of them, located at the Port of Mohammedia and the Port of Nador and managed by the National Ports Agency, store and maintain the equipment and can intervene at any time in the event of a PUN activation.

The National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution (PUN)

Equipment stocks and their implementationThe stock of equipment made available to national authorities in case of need is generally composed as follows: see list.Morocco has acquired such equipment primarily for the UNP (National Urban Response), but it can also be used to participate in oil spill response operations abroad within the framework of international conventions, regional or sub-regional agreements.

UNP Simulation Exercises
: The UNP simulation exercises, called SIMULEX, are conducted every two years to train responders to combat accidental marine pollution.The objectives of the simulation exercise are:

• Test the procedures outlined by the PUN
• Deploy intervention teams at sea and on land while leading the response operation
• Specify the technical and logistical resources to be implemented
• Strengthen interdepartmental coordination
• To avoid potential malfunctions in the event of actual pollution
• Identify and fill the gaps in the PUN
• Update the PUN

The exercise is structured around an intervention and response scenario simulating the following events:

• Saving human lives in peril;
• Extinguishing fire on a disabled oil tanker;
• Intervention to combat an oil spill through containment and recovery operations;
• Protection of coastlines threatened by pollution.

Simulex 2002 off the coast of Mohammedia;
Simulex 2004 off the coast of Nador;
Simulex 2006 off the coast of Agadir
; Simulex 2008 off the coast of Nador
; Simulex 2010 off the coast of Tangier

; Simulex 2012 off the coast of Jorf Lasfar;
Simulex 2014 off the coast of Tangier-Med

As the National Coordinator of the National Emergency Plan, the Ministry Delegate in charge of the Environment is currently conducting an evaluation study of the national system for combating accidental marine pollution in order to update the National Emergency Plan.

Accidental Marine Pollution

The National Emergency Plan for Combating Accidental Marine Pollution (PUN)

Disaster risk management and climate resilience in Morocco: a pilot results-based financing initiative

• Axel Baeumler Olivier Mahul April 20, 2016

Can results-based financing help countries better anticipate natural disasters? Can financial incentives promote disaster prevention rather than response? Can insurance programs mitigate the financial consequences of a disaster?With the Moroccan government, the World Bank implemented its first Results-Based Program (a World Bank financing instrument) operation to improve risk management and resilience. This program, structured around three pillars, uses a unique integrated approach to strengthen a country’s resilience to natural disasters. It aims to:

• strengthen institutional resilience, through closer government coordination;
• strengthening physical resilience through investments in risk reduction;
• strengthen financial resilience through disaster risk insurance.

Incentives to strengthen institutional and physical resilience:In recent years, 

Morocco has reformed its risk management practices and modified the purpose of its National Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (NDRF), now focused on disaster risk reduction rather than responding to disasters. This type of 

ex-ante (or preventative) action is rarely carried out on a sufficient scale, partly because disaster risk management is not considered a core government function. This is also due to challenges in coordinating between government agencies and, faced with more urgent and immediate needs, budgetary competition. As a result, public mobilization too often occurs 

after the fact , and therefore too late. The new National Resilience Fund (formerly the NDRF) has an explicit mandate to promote and finance ex-anterisk reduction projects . It is intended to allocate funds for this purpose to local authorities, as well as to relevant ministries and agencies, based on clear and transparent criteria. Two ministries traditionally involved in ex-post responses —the Interior and the Economy and Finance—are spearheading this reform effort. The process of structuring the World Bank’s engagement within the Results-Based Program makes this operation particularly interesting. It has allowed for a focus on broader objectives in the dialogue with the authorities, including key strategic reforms of institutions, the definition of selection and investment criteria, and the participation of communities and citizens. It has also provided an opportunity to introduce disbursements conditional on results achieved on the ground in disaster risk reduction. While Morocco is certainly not the only country to deploy this type of prevention strategy, it is the first to do so through a results-based financing approach. Incentives to strengthen financial resilience: The program structure has also allowed for the introduction of incentives to deploy the national disaster risk insurance program. This dual system provides coverage to both insured and uninsured households. It leverages the local private insurance market to offer insured households and businesses mandatory disaster coverage throughAn additional risk premium. This type of public-private partnership for natural disaster insurance is quite widespread in developed countries but uncommon in emerging economies. In the early 2000s, Turkey, with the help of the World Bank, created a collective disaster risk insurance scheme, but it did not gain much traction in emerging countries.The major innovation in the Moroccan program is the establishment of the Solidarity Fund Against Catastrophic Events (FSEC). It offers uninsured poor households compensation in the event of bodily injury and loss of their primary residence.This is a win-win situation for both the government and households: the government can better plan for the cost of disasters and thus avoid costly post-disaster budget reallocations, as well as better control its potential liabilities; and poor households are assured of receiving compensation in the event of a disaster.The authorities are also considering a complementary financial model to quantify the exposure of the disaster risk insurance program and establish a rule for the equitable sharing of costs among all stakeholders: the State, private insurers, households, and businesses. This will allow them to determine the level of public contributions to the Solidarity Fund.

The timing is ideal in the lead-up to COP22 in Marrakech.While the disaster risk management and resilience-building program is still in its early stages, it should yield valuable lessons as it is implemented.Morocco’s reform efforts are particularly welcome in the lead-up to the upcoming climate conference, COP22, to be held in Marrakech at the end of the year, as the correlation between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation is clearly established. They also align with the G7 initiative on climate risk insurance, which aims to revitalize this type of market globally to support adaptation programs.

Quelques documents sur le Maroc