Bamako – Morocco has witnessed a dramatic rise in charitable giving, propelled by the aftermath of the devastating Al Haouz earthquake.
According to the latest World Giving Index from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the North African nation saw an 800% increase in financial donations in 2023, marking the highest year-on-year surge globally.
The CAF survey, conducted between mid-September and mid-October 2023, shortly after the earthquake that claimed over 2,900 lives, places Morocco 103rd out of 142 countries in the global index.
The report measures generosity through three main activities: volunteerism, financial donations, and helping strangers. While Morocco’s overall ranking suggests moderate generosity, the earthquake has galvanized an unprecedented wave of support.
In 2022, just 2% of Moroccans donated to charity. That figure skyrocketed to 18% in 2023,” the report notes. “Similarly, the percentage of Moroccans who volunteered their time doubled from 8% in 2022 to 16% in 2023.”
The surge in these activities reflects the country’s collective response to the earthquake, which left a profound impact on communities across central Morocco.
Despite this significant increase, Morocco’s overall position in the World Giving Index highlights that, under normal circumstances, the level of giving remains relatively low.
The survey also revealed that 73% of Moroccans had helped a stranger in the past year, a sign of the country’s inherent solidarity.
Globally, Indonesia continues to hold the title of the most generous country, a position it has maintained for seven consecutive years.
With 90% of Indonesians donating money and 65% participating in volunteer work, the Southeast Asian nation remains a global leader in philanthropy.
Kenya and Singapore follow in second and third place, respectively, with Singapore making notable strides due to recent government efforts to enhance philanthropic activities.
The CAF World Giving Index 2024, one of the largest surveys of its kind, offers insights into the state of global generosity, with data collected from millions of people across 142 countries.
The report underscores the importance of fostering a culture of giving, particularly in times of crisis.
Neil Heslop OBE, CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation, emphasized the significance of the findings.
“The latest CAF World Giving Index demonstrates the extraordinary generosity of people worldwide, even in challenging times,” he said. “Governments have much to learn from these trends to promote community engagement and strengthen civil society.”
The Charities Aid Foundation, celebrating its 100th anniversary, continues to connect donors with charitable causes globally, distributing over £1 billion annually to various organizations.
