This meeting, chaired by the Wali of the Drâa-Tafilalet region and Governor of the Errachidia province, Said Zniber, in the presence of representatives of local authorities, security services, and heads of external services, made it possible to assess the situation in areas affected by the cold wave, highlight the various measures taken, and discuss those planned by local authorities and relevant sectors to ensure the protection of the population in areas facing difficulties during the winter season.
In a speech on the occasion, Mr. Zniber highlighted that this meeting is part of a comprehensive mobilisation in execution of the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and within the efforts made at the national level to face the negative effects of the cold wave.
He also emphasised the importance of proactive measures to face the impacts of harsh weather conditions, the necessity of coordinating the efforts of all stakeholders, adopting a proximity approach, and listening to and regularly and accurately monitoring the situation of the population in areas affected by the cold wave, especially pregnant women whose condition requires close monitoring of their health, people in vulnerable situations, and people with special needs.
Mr. Zniber also urged representatives of the relevant sectors, especially health, education, and agriculture, in addition to equipment, water, and electricity, to be constantly vigilant and intensify field visits to the most affected communes to provide assistance to the population suffering from harsh weather conditions quickly and effectively.
During this meeting, the heads of external services reviewed the main procedures and proactive measures taken by their services in coordination with various local actors.
At the level of the Errachidia province, three communes were classified as areas affected by the cold wave; namely Amellagou, Tadigoust, and Aghbalou N'kerdous, with a total population of 9,558 people, i.e., 1,669 families.
In this context, the Provincial Health Delegation adopted health measures for the 2024-2025 winter season, including strengthening mobile intervention units and organising medical caravans, as well as close monitoring of the condition of patients with chronic diseases and pregnant women, who numbered 39 in these three communes.
Efforts to combat cold waves in the Errachidia province also include organising operations to distribute food, blankets, and firewood for the benefit of target groups in the concerned communes, as well as distributing subsidised barley for livestock breeders.
The measures taken to combat the cold wave also focused on mobilising the Provincial Directorate of Equipment for 17 machines ready for use when necessary, knowing that the network covered by snow in the province extends over 113 kilometres distributed over several mountainous sections.
The Provincial Directorate of Equipment has also taken a series of preparations, including forming command centres, maintaining machinery, acquiring signboards, and identifying cut-off points and sections.
In execution of the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the services of the Ministry of Interior, along with all relevant ministries and sectors and various stakeholders, have mobilised to take emergency measures through the comprehensive mobilisation of all logistical means as well as human resources, to provide support and assistance to citizens to face the cold wave witnessed by a number of regions of the Kingdom.
In this regard, the Walis of the regions and governors of the concerned provinces were urged to mobilise to ensure monitoring of the development of the situation, coordinate intervention operations, and take the necessary proactive and precautionary measures through a set of measures to ease the burden on the population.
