Moroccan refugees in Ruweishid camp see years of labor in Iraq gone awry
Morocco-Iraq, Local, 4/8/2003

Moroccans, who left Iraq seeking refuge in Ruweishid Camp in Jordan, as a consequence of the war, are now feeling homesick, helplessly watching years of dutiful labor in Iraq gone awry.

"Once they have crossed the Iraqi-Jordanian borders, the Moroccan nationals have discovered, much to their despair, that they will no longer be able to go back to Iraq, with a red seal in their passport," deplores Mohamed D. father of seven, and a resident in Iraq since 1980.

Fatima, a fifty-year old widow, established in Iraq since 1981, said that because of the war, she was forced to leave behind 40 dunums, adding she has no news of her family in Morocco.

Such is the fate of other Moroccan refugees in the Ruweishid Camp. All have left back in Iraq agricultural land plots granted them by virtue of an agreement signed in 1981 between Morocco and Iraq.

Up to 200 Moroccan families were given housing and the right to work in agricultural land, forming by the same what was later called "The Moroccans' Village," in Al Kut region, 260 kms south Baghdad. Each Moroccan family, established in Iraq, was given US$ 3,000 a year by the Moroccan government, as a subsidy to purchase wheat products.

During the first Gulf War, many of these families left for Morocco. The trend went up because of years of drought exacerbated by the embargo during the 1990s. Up to March 20th, some forty Moroccan families were still living in Iraq, but as the war was drawing near they started to leave for the Ruweishid Camp, which was set up by the Jordanian Red Crescent.

Moneyless and destitute, these Moroccan refugees are being offered a meal a day in the camp waiting for their transfer to Amman from where they will be repatriated to Morocco. Air fares will be paid by the International Organization for Migration.

Morocco's Communication minister and Government Spokesman said last week that the contingency cell set up by the Foreign Affairs and Cooperation ministry is closely following the situation of Moroccan residents in Iraq, adding that a train of measures was taken to alleviate the burden of these expatriates.

Previous Stories:
  Iraqi Troupe Performs Play on Life of Moroccan Martyr Zerktouni   (11/28/2001)
  Moroccan victims of second gulf war will be paid compensations   (5/26/1999)

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