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Rabat – King Mohammed VI has initiated the conferring of “Ward of the Nation” status to the children orphaned by the tragic earthquake that hit Morocco’s Al Haouz region last week.
The status signifies the county’s commitment to the protection and welfare of the vulnerable children, ensuring their safety from potential exploitation and human trafficking that raised the concerns of Moroccans recently.
What is ‘Ward of the Nation’ Status?
According to Law No. 33-97 relating to the Wards of the Nation, the status is an official recognition granted to Moroccan children meeting specific criteria outlined in the Dahir No. 1-99-191 of 13 Joumada I, 1420 (August 25, 1999).
The primary focus is on children who have suffered the loss of a parent due to their participation in defending the country’s territorial integrity, engagement in humanitarian missions, or other similar circumstances.
Under the law, the children would be placed under the care, protection, and responsibility of the government, which would assume a role similar to a legal guardian.
Benefits
The law stipulates that the children are entitled to certain benefits, including:
Protection and Support: “Children recognized as war orphans are entitled to moral support and material assistance provided by this law until they reach adulthood or complete their studies,” indicated Article 11 of the law.
Financial Assistance: The Ward of the Nation will receive government support to cover their living, healthcare, and education expenses, provided they “do not have the means to meet their needs or when those legally obligated to support them are unable to do so.”
In addition, they may receive an annual lump-sum allowance for their health and education expenses “until they reach adulthood, get married (for girls), or until they finish their studies,” as long as they do not have income equal to or exceeding the base salary corresponding to index 100 in the public service.
Services from Hassan II Foundation: They will also have access to services provided by the Hassan II Foundation for Social Works of Former Military and Veterans.
These benefits are designed to support the well-being, education, health, and overall livelihood of orphans who have lost their main providers due to their involvement in defending the nation or participating in related missions.
Conditions for Qualification
Children eligible for the “Ward of the Nation” status are those whose father or main provider died due to defending the country, peace missions, or humanitarian operations.
It also extends to those who died from injuries or illnesses or became physically unable to support their family due to the events in question.
Additionally, it applies to parents who “disappeared,” with circumstances suggesting they died for the country.
Anyone caring for the child during or after the parent’s passing is considered the provider under this law.
In addition, the law indicates that children eligible for the status are those under 20 years old during their parent’s death, incapacity, or disappearance; including if they continue studies or face infirmity preventing work.
It also applies to those who were born fatherless within a specific pregnancy duration as per legal guidelines.
The process of acquiring the “Ward of the Nation” status involves a thorough review by a designated administrative commission, which evaluates requests based on the defined criteria.
