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Morocco: Cold Wave - Jan 2017

Estado
Pasado
Países
Marruecos
Tipos de desastres
Onda de frío

From mid-January, a cold wave has moved across Morocco affecting most cities. Temperatures have fallen rapidly, reach as low as -13 degrees Celsius in high altitude areas, and between -2 and 0 degrees Celsius in the interior of the country. Regions in the east, north and south have been particularly affected. These low temperatures were due to a mass flow of polar air from the Arctic to Eastern Europe and North Africa. The national services of meteorology directorate have confirmed that intense cold conditions are set to continue.

Under royal instructions, and in response to the intense cold spell, the Ministry of the Interior and all external services and military services have launched a special programme of solidarity for the population groups heavily affected by the cold wave, especially mountainous, remote areas and enclosed douars (village communities). This aid programme has already been launched in some heavily affected areas, with some families having already received blankets and food and appropriate equipment for the winter.

This wave of freezing conditions and snow has also caused economic losses and livelihoods due to the isolation of several areas. In addition, traffic paralyzed as well by cutting roads reduced supplies to certain remote communities ... As part of the coordination with the Ministry of the Interior, Moroccan Red Crescent was commissioned to intervene in three regions to help 2,000 families (10,000 beneficiaries) to provide food and relief non-food items. These regions are: Oriental, Tangier-Tetouan and Fes-Taza. (IFRC, 26 Jan 2017)