Safi Sets Out Concrete Steps to Repair Flood Damage

Rabat – Authorities in Safi have begun the on-the-ground rollout of a government program designed to repair damage caused by the floods that struck the city on December 14.

A steering committee met today at the provincial headquarters to present the program’s execution phases after approval at the central level by all concerned partners.

The meeting marked a shift from planning to action. The steering committee now stands as the main institutional framework responsible for oversight, coordination, and follow-up.

Its role includes aligning the work of public institutions and local actors, tracking progress, and assessing the real impact of each intervention in affected neighborhoods.

Over recent weeks, specialized technical teams carried out field assessments that produced a precise inventory of damaged homes and shops. They also evaluated the condition of roads, public networks, and infrastructure.

This groundwork allowed local authorities to design a targeted response, define priorities, and adapt measures to the realities on the ground rather than rely on estimates.

Officials at the meeting detailed the responsibilities of each partner involved in the program. The plan places housing repair at the forefront, alongside support for traders whose businesses suffered losses.

Measures also address the situation of street vendors affected by the floods, with a project set to relocate them near Bab Chaâba to allow a return to economic activity under more stable conditions.

The program also extends to urban repair. Planned actions include road rehabilitation, reinforcement of damaged areas, cleaning and consolidation of drainage systems, and upgrades to social facilities.

After floods, Safi acts

Authorities also outlined support for local community initiatives within Safi’s medina, with special attention to residents who faced the greatest difficulties after the disaster.

Throughout the meeting, participants stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure that measures translate into tangible results.

Officials insisted that isolated interventions would not suffice and called for a unified approach that delivers coherent and timely responses.

Local officials described the initiative as a structured model for managing the consequences of natural disasters.

They argued that effective field action, combined with shared responsibility, remains essential to restore social and economic stability in affected areas and to strengthen Safi’s capacity to face future risks.

The recent floods in Safi come amid a broader climate of concern over safety in the region.

According to converging reports, last Sunday, two students died in Douar El Msabih, near Safi, while on their way to school.

They fell into a water-filled excavation site created by a company working on the local seawater desalination project. Authorities recovered one of the victims, while search operations continued for the second.

The accident sparked outrage among residents, who criticized the lack of safety measures around the canal and temporary lake. Locals have called for a full investigation to clarify responsibilities and urged the introduction of school transport for children to prevent similar tragedies in the future.