Rabat – Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced on Monday the launch of a new Cooperative Resilience Program aimed at helping Moroccan communities adapt to climate change.
Praising Morocco’s proactive climate efforts, Power highlighted the program’s focus on supporting cooperatives and entrepreneurs, particularly women and young people, with cash grants and technical assistance to foster climate resilience.
Power, who is currently on a work trip to Morocco between May 19 and 22, made her remarks at the launch event at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Ben Guerir.
The Cooperative Resilience Program is a collaborative effort involving UM6P, GiveDirectly, and Morocco’s National Initiative for Human Development. The program will provide climate-focused cash grants and technical assistance to over 1,000 cooperatives and entrepreneurs.
Power said that the program “supports Moroccan cooperatives and entrepreneurs, especially women and young people, to grow their businesses and to build their resilience to climate shocks.”
She noted that Morocco faces significant climate challenges, including six consecutive years of drought and rising temperatures, which have severely impacted its freshwater resources and agricultural productivity.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited a community that was affected by the 2023 earthquake
Despite these challenges, Power lauded Morocco’s proactive approach to climate adaptation. “What is so inspiring about being here in Morocco is seeing that the Moroccan people are not simply cursing the darkness or cursing the heat. They are doing something – they are taking action to face these challenges,” she said.
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During her visit, Power interacted with students from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and learned about their research on developing drought and heat-tolerant crops. She also met with leaders of Moroccan cooperatives, who shared their efforts to create climate-resilient local products and employment opportunities.
At the event, she stressed that the Cooperative Resilience Program aims to equip these cooperatives and entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and knowledge to implement climate adaptation solutions.
“UM6P will work with cooperative members and entrepreneurs to provide vital, in-person training to learn about climate solutions like water conservation, crop diversification, and recycling,” Power explained. The financial support provided through GiveDirectly will enable the purchase of essential inputs and tools to help reduce barriers to climate adaptation finance.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited a community that was affected by the 2023 earthquake
Power acknowledged Morocco’s leadership in climate action, noting its ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. “Already, Morocco is recognized globally as a leader in climate action. Now, Morocco is advancing that leadership even further.”
USAID’s administrator concluded by emphasizing the US’ commitment to supporting Morocco’s climate initiatives. “We at USAID, on behalf of the American people and the U.S. government, are eager to do everything that we can to support this vital effort.”
