In its preliminary conclusions on the management of the floods that affected several regions of Morocco between January and February 2026, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) commended the proactive and well-coordinated approach to managing the disaster. This approach, notably the early evacuation of over 180,000 citizens from areas at risk, played a decisive role in safeguarding the right to life and ensuring physical safety.

"This vigilance and awareness among citizens averted an imminent humanitarian disaster," noted Ms. Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson

The response process, explained Ms. Bouayach, was marked by the comprehensive mobilization of all relevant actors, with proactivity and the protection of human rights at the heart of disaster management. Efforts encompassed the provision of free housing, transportation, and food, attention to the health needs of citizens, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and ensured the continued enjoyment of the right to education. The response also relied on the cooperation of citizens with local authorities' directives and the active involvement of both local and national civil society.

The CNDH highlighted in its preliminary conclusions that this experience represents best practices in natural disaster management, building on its previous recommendations related to the 2023 Atlas earthquake and the adoption of a human rights-based approach.

To further consolidate Morocco’s expertise in disaster response, the CNDH emphasized, among its key recommendations, the urgent need to strengthen local early warning systems and ensure that they are directly connected to communities. The Council also called for the development of comprehensive risk management plans at the local, regional, and national levels.

According to the Council's preliminary conclusions, these measures offer a valuable opportunity to enhance proactive national preparedness, reinforce the Kingdom’s capacity to protect human rights, and establish a national model for responding to future crises.

To be continued…

Link to the Preliminary Conclusions of the National Human Rights Council (Available in Arabic)