By Abdullahi Lukman
Morocco has been identified as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in North Africa, according to the 2024 “State of the Climate in Africa” report by the World Meteorological Organization.
The kingdom is grappling with escalating environmental challenges, including prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and flash floods that have led to significant human and material losses.
Environmental expert Mostapha Aissat highlighted the unprecedented nature of Morocco’s climate events, pointing to seven consecutive years of drought and devastating floods in the south and southeast.
He also referenced the 2022 wildfires, which destroyed over 20,000 hectares of forest, severely impacting biodiversity and agriculture.
Aissat warned that two global factors—global warming and the failure of major polluting nations to meet CO₂ emission reduction targets set by the Paris Agreement—are likely to worsen conditions.
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He further noted the rising threat of natural disasters beyond climate change, such as earthquakes, mentioning the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.
He praised Morocco’s proactive approach in establishing regional stockpile platforms, describing them as an effective preventive measure against recurring disasters. “Recovery from one catastrophe often begins under the shadow of the next,” he said.
Climate expert Ali Cherroud emphasized Morocco’s unique geographic vulnerabilities, from its mountains to deserts to coastlines, which make it prone to a variety of seasonal and non-seasonal disasters.
The country’s position at the intersection of cold northern currents and hot southern air currents intensifies its exposure to extreme weather events.
Cherroud also welcomed the creation of the National Natural Disaster Centre in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, calling it a “proactive shift” in disaster management and urging its expansion throughout the country.
He stressed the importance of developing a national roadmap focused on early warning, rapid response, and risk forecasting to protect lives and assets.
Experts agree that with the convergence of international climate assessments and on-the-ground realities, climate preparedness has become Morocco’s strategic imperative rather than an optional initiative.
