Morocco
Active in Morocco since 1968, Terre des hommes (Tdh) provides specialised care for children, maternal and child healthcare for sub-saharian migrants, and combats the exploitation of children at work. In 2011, more than 1,435 people benefited from Tdh activities.
The context
Morocco is a rising country. However, the gap between rich and poor is very important. While the economy of the country is growing, the social and health areas are still far behind. This disparity can be found in the basic services offered. Access to health care for instance is difficult due to the lack of structures. In consequence, child mortality remains striking (about 10 times higher than in Switzerland) while most of the death causes could be easily prevented or cured. Furthermore, nearly 10% of the children between 5 and 14 years old have to work to earn money for their families. About 30,000 children work as maidservants and most suffer from daily mistreatment. Those little girls and boys are often far away from home and do not receive any protection. Morocco is a “transit country” welcoming many migrant people, for whom we must fight to make their rights recognised, especially right for education for children, and right to health for pregnant women.
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-6.833897
34.020596
Rabat
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-9.599361
30.404356
Agadir
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-1.911478
34.690251
Oujda
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-5.802613
35.773258
Tanger
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-8.292389
30.734754
Souss Valley
Centered at -7.9262 31.79172 5
Children's situation
- 38% of the population is are aged under 18: (CH: 19%)
- Child mortality rate (under 5): 38‰ (CH: 4‰)
- 23% of children under 5 suffer from moderate & severe stunting
- 8% of children aged between 5 and 14 years have to work
- 30,000 children work as maidservants
Delegate: Vincent Tournecuillert
Expatriate staff: 1
National staff: 15
Budget: 781'681 CHF
In collaboration with: Oum El Banine, GADEM, Terre des Hommes Spain
Protection of migrants
Tdh Lausanne has the status of associate for this project implemented by Terre des homes Spain. It aims at reducing the vulnerability of migrating women, children and youths. the project supports single mothers in taking their babies into nurseries, giving instruction in basic hygiene and educational support for the older children. Social workers refer migrants to the appropriate health services and assist them in the process of social integration. The project works in close collaboration with a local partner specialised in the advocacy for the rights of migrants. Further information
Combating exploitation in the Souss valley
Tdh’s teams is working on the field for limiting the sending of children from the countryside to the towns; protecting young boys and girls working as shepherds and as maids as well as enforcing their social and educative reintegration; obbying the authorities to ensure that the intermediaries involved in this trafficking are punished by the law. Further information
Specialised care
Since the end of the 1960s Tdh offers specialised care to extremely sick children, most of them with heart diseases. When possible, the child is looked after in the country and if not transferred to Europe. Tdh is developing a network of partnerships in Morocco working with governmental specialised government health structures. Further information
- In the Valley of Souss in the south of Morocco, a new project run by Tdh enabled 165 children, young female domestic workers and young male shepherds to receive services from Tdh and helped them to be reintegrated into the school system.
- In the north of the country, a new team was established with our national partners to promote the right to healthcare and education for migrants arriving in Rabat, Tanger and Oujda. The migrant situation is alarming and 180 case files have already been opened.
- More than 400 children suffering from heart disorders received treatment from Tdh, with 105 being operated on in Europe and 27 in Morocco. Tdh provided care to 359 children in the form of post-operative follow-up, direct aid and social investigations.
