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Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched the “Riaya 2025-2026” operation to support people living in regions affected by severe cold waves.
The initiative, running from 15 November to 30 March 2026, aims to provide care and assistance to vulnerable communities during winter.
According to a statement from the ministry, the operation will cover 31 provinces across eight regions. These include Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, the Oriental region, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Drâa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi, and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra.
The main goal of the operation is to ensure an effective response to the needs of people in remote and cold-affected areas. This will be done by strengthening basic health services, offering preventive and treatment services at health centers, and deploying mobile medical units to targeted villages. Specialized medical convoys and referral hospitals will also be mobilized to handle detected cases, including emergencies.
On the ground, the operation will cover 523 health centers in the affected areas. It also includes 3,528 field visits by mobile medical units, 183 specialized medical convoys, and several smaller specialized medical campaigns. These actions aim to ensure that residents receive the treatment and medical support they need.
A total of 2,817 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and administrative staff, have been mobilized. The ministry will also deploy mobile ultrasound equipment, mobile laboratories, dental care units, eye-testing devices, and other medical tools, in addition to mobile health units and ambulances.
To support the operation, the Ministry of Health has allocated a special budget of MAD 11.32 million for medicines and medical supplies, as well as MAD 2.582 million for fuel and maintenance. The overall cost of medical care at regional hospitals will depend on the needs reported in each province.
The ministry stressed the importance of collaboration with all partners to ensure the success of this national effort. It highlighted the key role played by local authorities, elected councils, the private sector, civil society associations, and organizations working in the health field.
The operation comes at a time when temperatures have dropped sharply across Morocco in recent weeks. Many areas have experienced heavy rain, snowfall, and a noticeable chill, especially in mountainous and high-altitude regions.
During winter, several provinces in the Atlas Mountains and remote rural areas often face harsh conditions, including freezing temperatures, blocked roads, and isolation due to snow. These factors make it difficult for residents to access basic services, especially healthcare.
