In the darkness of the night, teams from the National Mutual Aid (Entraide nationale) of the Fez-Meknes region, in partnership with local authorities, carried out a new nocturnal operation as part of its "Warm Winter 2024/25" campaign.
This initiative, launched from the Bensouda Centre, aims to provide assistance and comfort to the city's homeless population, who are particularly vulnerable to the harshness of winter. The operation, the fourth of its kind since the start of the winter season, saw the National Mutual Aid teams deploy into the darkest corners of the city, where the homeless find refuge (abandoned buildings, deserted parks, and other makeshift locations).
The approach of the National Mutual Aid is intended to be humane and empathetic. The teams do not just distribute aid; they engage in dialogue with the people they meet, seeking to understand the circumstances that led them to the streets. The primary objective is to convince them to join the Bensouda Centre, a haven of peace where they can benefit from medical care, hot meals, and secure accommodation.
This comprehensive support is essential to ensure their physical and psychological well-being, particularly in the context of the winter cold. However, some homeless individuals are reluctant to leave their familiar, albeit precarious, environment. Aware of this reality, the National Mutual Aid adapts its approach by offering alternative assistance. Mattresses, new clothing, and food boxes are thus distributed on-site to provide them with a minimum of comfort and warmth.
For those who agree to join the specialized centres, full support is provided, including food, housing, medical care, and clothing.
According to the regional coordinator of the National Mutual Aid in Fez-Meknes, Hassan Otmani, significant funds have been allocated to this operation, noting that a budget of approximately 700,000 DH has been assigned to this operation, with 500,000 DH provided by the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) and the remainder by the National Mutual Aid.
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