As heavy snowfall looms over southeastern Morocco, nomadic communities are pleading with authorities to provide emergency supplies of barley and feed to save their livestock, their only source of livelihood.
Faced with harsh winter conditions, nomads living in the High and Anti-Atlas mountains are bracing for the disappearance of natural pastures under the snow, a recurring struggle that threatens their stability and survival.
“Our livestock will die if we don’t receive feed,” said Ibrahim Asghmo, a nomad near Azilal. “The snow is coming, and pastures will soon disappear. If we don’t get barley and feed, we will lose everything we own.”
Nomads rely heavily on sheep and goats for their livelihoods. However, the impending snowfall, combined with rising feed prices, has left many struggling to prepare for the harsh winter.
“We need barley and feed before it’s too late,” said Hamo Oublid, who resides near Ouarzazate. He noted a severe shortage of feed and urged the government to intervene quickly.
Human rights activist Jamal Eddine Ait Belarbi highlighted the plight of the nomads, saying, “These people are accustomed to life’s hardships, but they cannot face winter alone. They are asking the Ministry of Agriculture to show compassion.”
In response, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture said emergency plans are underway to supply subsidized barley and feed. The ministry, in coordination with local authorities and associations, aims to ensure timely distribution to prevent livestock losses.
The Finance Law for 2025 includes measures to allocate resources for such programs, but nomads fear time is running out. As the snow approaches, they remain locked in a battle for survival, hoping for swift action to prevent a devastating loss of livelihood.
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