The start of the 24th edition of Operation Marhaba coincides with the celebration of Eid Al-Adha. To this end, an important mechanism is launched by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, in coordination with the various stakeholders. The latter will therefore be present in force at the main arrival points.
The large influx of families from the Moroccan community established abroad to the Kingdom will begin earlier this year, for Eid Al-Adha. Thus, the start date of Operation Marhaba was brought forward by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, present both on arrival and departure from Morocco, and which is working to set up a system of support intended to respond to the requests and needs of citizens returning to Morocco.
Important human resources
An important system supported by the Foundation, its teams, social workers, medical staff as well as the partners of the operation has been put in place. This support is provided continuously throughout the period from June 5 to September 15, throughout the week and 24 hours a day. It involves handling situations linked to unforeseen events or incidents that may arise during the trip.
Thus, the Foundation will be present on 18 sites in Morocco and six abroad (France, Spain and Italy). These are the Ports of Tanger Med, Tanger Ville, Nador and Al Hoceima for travelers coming from Algeciras, Barcelona, Livorno, Motril, Sète, Almeria and Genoa, at the border crossings of Bab Sebta and Bab Mellilia, in the airports of Casablanca Mohammed V, Oujda Angad, Nador Al Aaoui, Fès Saiss, Agadir Al Massira, Marrakech Ménara, Tanger Ibn Battouta and Rabat-Salé, as well as in the Smir, Tanger Méditerranée, Jebha and Tazaghine rest areas.
These spaces are specially designed and fitted out by the Foundation and offer support services, various benefits and amenities for rest and catering. Significant human resources are also mobilized, with more than 1,400 people, including 697 social workers deployed at 24 sites in Morocco and abroad. In addition, 108 doctors, as many nurses and 34 ambulances will be present on 10 sites in Morocco, whether in ports or rest areas.
Record year
According to estimates, historic peaks should be reached this year, with the arrival of 3.3 million people, or 4% more than last year, during which there were 3,165,328 MRE to go to the Morocco. A 6% increase in the number of vehicles is also expected, with more than 800,000, compared to 642,000 in 2023.
To respond to this influx, the system deployed includes a fleet plan integrating 32 vessels and 7 maritime operators, revealed the joint commission at the end of the meeting. This plan will serve 11 shipping lines offering an overall capacity of more than 7 million passengers, 2 million vehicles and 8,000 rotations.
In this sense, significant investments have been released in anticipation of this operation, in particular for the upgrade of port infrastructure in Tangier-Med, Tangier city, Nador and Al Hoceima, with improvements in terms of comfort and facilitation for passengers, such as the installation of relaxation islands, shaded surfaces or display and signage systems.
ONCF launches a special system
The National Railway Office (ONCF) is deploying a special system for Eid Al-Adha, from Wednesday June 12 to Sunday June 23, 2024, with the introduction of additional trains to total approximately 240 trains per day, serving the entire rail network. In this context, Al Boraq will ensure a continuous hourly service, connecting the city of Tangier to Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (during peak periods), with the aim of increasing the availability of places at the most requested times , according to a press release from the ONCF.
For its part, Al Atlas will see its capacity increased in terms of places and will benefit from additional trains on the main axes of the network, notably Marrakech-Casa-Fez, Oujda, Nador, Khouribga and Safi. This plan also includes the strengthening of passenger reception and orientation teams in stations and on board trains, as well as the mobilization of technical teams 24/7 to guarantee the fluidity of rail traffic.
In the context of this high influx, the ONCF recommends that its customers anticipate the purchase of tickets and opt for the return trip in order to avoid queues at the station and to ensure a seat on trains.
Thus, the purchase of tickets is possible via various ONCF sales channels, notably at stations, at ticket counters or at automatic ticket distributors (DAT), online on the merchant site “www.oncf-voyages.ma” , as well as local sales partner agencies (Chaabi Cash, Tasshilat and Cash Plus).
Faiza Rhoul / ECO Inspirations
