In its annual report consulted by Barlamane.comthe Mediator of the Kingdom expresses his dissatisfaction with the indifference of the government which ignored several crucial proposals to improve the responsiveness of public services in areas affected by the earthquake of September 8, 2023. Among these neglected proposals, one advocated the creation of an integrated system to assess the obstacles to access to public services for victims of the earthquake, which left 2,900 dead.
By virtue of article 162 of the Constitution, which confers on the Mediator of the Kingdom a mission of proposing and monitoring public policies, the institution had recommended from 2023 the establishment of this structure in order to ensure the continuity of services public in disaster areas and respond to the urgent needs of citizens affected by the disaster. However, no substantive response has been given by government authorities, illustrating a blatant disregard for post-disaster management.
In his report, the Mediator highlights the extent of the destruction, causing considerable human and material losses. This situation has plunged many victims into extreme precariousness, often compared to that of people “undocumented”making it difficult for them to access public services and emergency aid. In this context, he proposed the establishment of multifunctional mobile offices, capable of responding quickly and in an adapted manner to the needs of disaster victims, while guaranteeing simplified management of administrative procedures and compliance with deadlines.
Despite this proposal intended to alleviate the situation of victims, the government has not reacted favorably, highlighting a worrying indifference towards the urgent needs of citizens in crisis. This silence in the face of the Mediator’s proposals raises serious questions about the government’s real desire to find concrete solutions for injured populations.
Furthermore, the Mediator emphasizes the urgency of strengthening the management of requests for public support, particularly in rehousing and support programs for vulnerable populations. Official inaction on these essential proposals could compromise reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the earthquake, thus worsening the suffering of citizens and hindering the resumption of public services in these disaster-stricken regions.
In accordance with article 162 of the Constitution and the powers assigned to it, the Kingdom Mediation deemed it appropriate, in 2023, to take up seven files of particular importance, as a consultative entity. Some proposals received a favorable response from the government, while others were simply transmitted to the departments concerned, and for some, no action has been taken to date.
To absent subscribers
The institution also detailed a proposal concerning a direct support program for the acquisition of housing for the most vulnerable categories. However, until the writing of this report, no response has been formulated on this subject.
The Mediation of the Kingdom considers that the announcement by the government of a direct financial aid program for buyers of housing intended for primary residence marks a methodological turning point in the approach to access to property. She stressed that the management of complaints and claims addressed to public services is of particular importance, in particular because of the lessons to be learned from the data contained in these procedures, particularly when they concern specific categories of citizens.
In response to these concerns, the Kingdom’s Ombudsman listed the different categories of complainants: slum dwellers, refugees in camps in the south, occupants of houses threatening to collapse, owners of housing closed due to decisions of local authorities, members of rural communities or occupants of low-income functional housing wishing to become owners.
The institution specified that the complaints mainly concerned delays in administrative procedures, non-compliance with legal procedures or the absence of means of appeal. Consequently, the Ombudsman recommended the adoption of written and reasoned decisions concerning requests for support, the information of citizens on their right to justification of responses and decisions, as well as their right of access to information.
He also suggested ensuring that citizens are informed of their right to contest decisions, to check their satisfaction with the explanations provided and to avoid any dispute or disagreement. It is imperative to ensure compliance with legal deadlines for processing applications for housing support and to provide explanations in the event of delay or refusal. The institution further emphasized the need to maintain continuous interaction with applicants, updating their information whenever changes are made.
The Mediator also recommended ensuring that the necessary material and human resources are available to guide applicants and process their complaints. Finally, he underlined the importance of rigorous monitoring of restitution operations for aid received in error, in order to avoid worsening the situation of applicants and to verify, where applicable, that all necessary measures are taken to treat these complaints fairly.
To conclude, the institution stressed that the proposals formulated require particular vigilance to guarantee fair processing of requests for aid, in accordance with legal requirements and in compliance with the spirit of the law, in order to better serve the potential beneficiaries of this support.
