Government announces $ 100 mln to alleviate poverty
Morocco, Economics, 1/18/2000

The Moroccan government will earmark $ 100 million (one billion dirhams) to alleviate poverty as part of the five-year plan, said Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

In a presentation before the chamber of advisors (upper house of the parliament) on his government's action since it was appointed 18 months ago, Youssoufi said antipoverty efforts will go in priority to remote rural areas, women and youth. He cited the enforcement starting next April 1st of the law on micro-loans and the launching of the social development agency endowed with a budget of $ 50 million (500 million DH).

He added that other actions include restructuring national mutual help and supporting charity associations that help disabled persons.

Youssoufi--who had made last week a similar presentation before the house of representatives (lower house)-- cited as exemplary action the social solidarity efforts undertaken by King Mohammed VI and the "leading humanitarian role" of the Mohammed V foundation for solidarity which helped rehabilitate 223 charity institutions, thus improving the life of more than 32,000 needy children.

The prime minister argued that Morocco is for the first time following a real social strategy and a national employment policy. He added that the government adopted a new approach in financing its social policy, based on rationalizing public expenses, promoting ethics in administrations and all other public dealings, upgrading human resources, developing partnership between the public sector and the civil society in employment and social action realms and rationalizing the expenses of the clearing board.

He added that the government has earmarked $ 300 million (3 billion DH) to alleviate drought effects and write off debts owed by small farmers. Meanwhile, he went on, the government will continue to build dams and extend irrigation networks, recalling that the rate of rural access to drinking water went up from 28% in 1997 to 38% in 1999. Furthermore, 125,000 rural households were connected to electricity, which is 40% higher than in 1997.

Touching on road construction, Youssoufi said 2,130 km of roads were built between 1998 and 1999 and the government is looking for funds to materialize an ambitious road program, giving the priority to northern regions.

In the health sector, he went on, 173 new health centers were built between 1998 and 1999, including 95% in the rural world and studies for two university hospitals were completed.

The prime minister added that as regards social claims, the state budget has borne a total of $ 661.7 million (6.61 billion DH) to honor commitments of an agreement reached between the government, employers and trade unions in 1996. These commitments pertain mainly to raising allowances of some civil servants, promoting the public health and education staff, raising the minimum salary and extending social coverage.

He added that the government's efforts to reduce illiteracy have resulted in cutting illiteracy among children aged below 10 from 50% to 46% and is targeting a 20% rate in the ten coming years.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco has 10,000 to 14,000 street children   (12/29/1999)
  Finance minister blames economy ailments on low growth, poverty, heavy debt   (12/22/1999)
  King Mohammed address government on 1999-2004 development plan   (12/17/1999)

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