Morocco

Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa are suffering a sharp increase in violence at the hands of security forces in Morocco and at border areas, resulting in serious health problems.

Migrants passing through Morocco in hopes of reaching Europe often find more misery, illness, and injury along the way.

Doctors Without Borders is treating Sub-Saharan migrants who face abuse in Morocco as they attempt to travel to Europe.

In the last month MSF teams have treated high numbers of sub-Saharan African migrants who fell victim to violence in Morocco's Oriental region.

Hundreds of migrants, including women and children, have been deported to a no-man’s land at the border between Morocco and Algeria, abandoned there during the night without food and water.

Morocco is a place of transit and forced stay for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

MSF is sharing the stories of men and women who left their home countries in search of safety, peace, and decent living conditions.

This briefing paper highlights the problem of sexual violence against Sub-Saharan migrant women, who arrive in Morocco on their way to Europe.

Rabat/Bou-Izakarn, October 12, 2005 - Doctors Without Borders/Medécins Sans Frontières (MSF) demands from Moroccan authorities free access to provide care to around 1,000 immigrants, gathered in the area of Bou-Izakarn, 30 km north from Goulimine, located 1,500 km from Rabat. Some of them, including pregnant women and children, were cast off to fend for themselves in the desert area of Ain Chouater without water or food.

Madrid/Rabat, September 30, 2005 - A report released today by the international medical humanitarian aid organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) describes escalating violence against immigrants crossing from Morocco to Spain. Up to 25% of MSF's patients are seeking medical treatment as a result of persecution and attacks.

March 1, 2004 - More than 550 people died and thousands were made homeless when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale ripped through Al Houceima, Morocco on February 24. The quake razed buildings as far 10 miles away. Repeated aftershocks have continued to affect both the city itself and outlying villages in the surrounding mountains.