Moroccan grass roots efforts to help the poor yield $ 13.22 million

The national solidarity campaign, staged from last Nov.1 through 15, has yielded a total of 138.88 million DH ($ 13.22 Million) in cash and other donations to support poorest layers of the Moroccan population.

The campaign staged by the Mohammed V foundation for solidarity, for the first time associated Moroccan expatriates in France to the solidarity actions.

The figures were disclosed by the foundation's governing council meeting held on Wednesday in Tangiers under the chairmanship of king Mohammed VI.

The campaign collected funds from the sale of pins and stamps, cash donations by banks and clothes and food offered to improve living conditions of the poor.

The governing council also surveyed conditions in which the fast-breaking meals were distributed during the month of Ramadan. A total of 2,300,000 recipients were recorded this year.

The meeting looked into progress made in programs to which the foundation will be contributing $ 28.38 million (298 million DH). These progress include the construction of dorms for rural girls, dorms for male students, centers for handicapped persons, orphans and aged persons and projects for the promotion of rural women role in lasting development.

The foundation will carry on distribution of fast-breaking meals to needy persons and carry on its support to social associations.