Representatives of UN Agencies Call Morocco's Response to Pandemic 'Exemplary'

Representatives of UN agencies based in Morocco have described as “exemplary” the Kingdom’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

From its effective management of the health crisis and its socio-economic effects, Morocco is a model in the world, they said, highlighting the measures taken by public authorities to curb the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate the social and economic impact of restrictive measures.

Morocco is “an example in the world” in terms of response to the pandemic, thanks to the measures put in place in accordance with the High Directions of HM King Mohammed VI, said, Maryam Bigdeli Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Morocco.

Morocco’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis has been effective, vigorous and powerful since the first day of the pandemic, she told MAP news channel M24.

Morocco has used the health crisis as an opportunity to strengthen its health system, multiplying resuscitation beds and training hospital staff.

“We also welcome the fact that Morocco’s sense of sharing has helped other African countries to obtain equipment and materials,” she added, highlighting the national vaccination campaign, which she described as “exemplary.”

For her part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Morocco Sylvia Lopez-Ekra praised Morocco for its remarkable and exemplary management of the health crisis, “which was welcomed at the international level.”

The capacity of intensive care beds has been multiplied by 83% in a short time, she noted, highlighting Morocco’s proactive approach in terms of Covid-19 vaccination.

“Morocco’s ability to procure the necessary quantities of vaccine and to conduct a campaign that puts the country among the top 10 nations in the world and 1st in Africa are also very clear expressions of the Kingdom’s management capacity,” she argued.

In similar remarks, the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Luis Mora judged as “very positive” the management of the health crisis by the Moroccan authorities.

The Kingdom has put in place effective mechanisms for the protection of categories affected by the measures to combat the pandemic, the official said. He cited in that regard, the creation of the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment which is an “innovative” initiative at the regional level.

For her part, the head of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Morocco Ana Fonseca praised the inclusive approach of Morocco which has included migrants and foreign nationals in all its health and humanitarian efforts.

The IOM will join the efforts of other UN agencies and align itself with the vaccination campaign carried out by Morocco and support all its efforts, Fonesca stated.

The representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Giovanna Barberis, stressed, for her part, that Morocco has reacted very quickly and has provided an effective response to the challenges related to the crisis of Covid-19 and its socio-economic consequences, noting that “the Kingdom has been recognized globally for its management of the crisis.