Morocco

Year-end Overview

Plan Overview

Working environment

 
Refugees in Morocco originate from 35 countries, with the majority from the Syrian Arab Republic. Historically a transit country, Morocco is now increasingly becoming a destination country. Refugees reside in some 50 cities across the country. This contributes towards local integration, but challenges the work of the Government, UNHCR and partners in reaching out and delivering necessary services to the most vulnerable.
 
The immigration and asylum policy introduced in 2013 enables refugees to enjoy protection and access to basic services such as education, healthcare and the labour market, in Morocco. However, due to delays in expanding the national medical insurance scheme to refugees, certain gaps persist with regards to access to secondary healthcare. UNHCR’s key institutional partners are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Migration Affairs and the Ministry in charge of Moroccans residing abroad.
 
Pending the submission of the draft asylum law to Parliament, UNHCR registers and processes all asylum claims in Morocco. Refugee status determination is undertaken jointly with Government officials, simultaneously providing an opportunity to build the capacity of Moroccan officials. UNHCR-registered refugees are referred to Moroccan authorities, who regularize their status by issuing them a refugee card and a residency permit. Syrians do not receive such documentation but in practical terms, they are protected from refoulement and have access to essential services like other refugees. 
 
 

Key priorities

 
UNHCR’s work revolves around three components: expanding cash-based interventions through the postal bank to reach the most vulnerable refugees even in remote locations; building capacities to conduct regular joint UNHCR-partner-Government outreach missions to the field, during which one-stop shops are organised for refugees and asylum seekers; engaging with and reinforcing the capacities of local authorities to facilitate refugees’ access to national social services, notably the National Mutual Aid (Entraide Nationale). Social services include psychosocial services and vocational skills training, and are provided to the most vulnerable, including women, children, elderly and people living with disabilities.
 
In 2018, UNHCR will focus on:

• Supporting the Government in establishing a national asylum system;
• Registering asylum-seekers and carrying out refugee status determination procedures in collaboration with the authorities;
• Providing protection and assistance to refugees, particularly to the most vulnerable;
• Delivering institutional capacity-building for national actors involved in asylum management;
• Implementing durable solutions for refugees, focusing on socio-professional integration or resettlement to a third country for the most vulnerable.