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Morocco
>> Regional Overview >> Morocco Overview
Summary Tables
Program Summary
Previous Years' Activities
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997Last updated: 24
Introduction
Morocco is a stable U.S. ally in the Middle East. In 1998, King Hassan II appointed an opposition government and embarked on a historic program of decentralization and political and economic reform. In July 1999, King Mohammed VI ascended the throne upon the death of his father. Since assuming his new dual office as monarch and leader of the Islamic faith in Morocco, King Mohammed has sent clear signals of commitment to transparency, democracy, economic and social development, and the rule of law. During the past 18 months, through changes in key ministries and other actions to advocate literacy, basic education, and women's rights, the King continues to challenge the new government to advance policies on human rights, healthcare, education, and social development. As successful as the political and social evolution has been, Morocco's democracy remains fragile. The need for strong and continued U.S. support for Morocco's efforts has never been greater. USAID's resources are targeted at promoting four out of six U.S. national interests listed in the Mission Performance Plan-open markets, broad-based economic growth, population, and democracy-as well as two of USAID's priority areas-broad-based economic growth and global health and family planning.
Development Challenge
Morocco is a country of contrasts and dualistic development. Debilitating urban and rural poverty coexist alongside modern urban centers. Morocco's per capita income was estimated at $1,280 in 1998, classifying it as a lower/middle-income country. Yet, Morocco's social statistics are those of a much poorer, less-developed country.
Morocco's urban and rural areas contrast dramatically in access to adequate water, sanitation, housing, education, economic growth opportunities, and social services. Given the fact that nearly half of Morocco's population lives in under-served rural areas, the most immediate development challenge is assuring equitable distribution of economic opportunities, access to basic social services, and participation in the decision-making process in all regions of the country.
In cooperation with its development partners, Morocco has achieved significant progress in opening markets to agricultural exports, facilitating the expansion of small- and medium-size enterprises, and changing its economic and administrative policies to create an environment more conducive to increased private investment. Yet, progress has been slow and insufficient to put the country on the sustainable high-growth path necessary to meet an increased demand for jobs and social services. More importantly, Morocco's economy has yet to alter its dependence on rainfall and agriculture. Rounding out this challenging economic picture is Morocco's large foreign debt. The Government of Morocco (GOM) has negotiated relief and debt swaps with some donor nations. At the same time, the GOM has forgiven the debts of many of its African neighbors.
Water has a primary position in Morocco's short- and long-term development, both in terms of availability and quality. The GOM has embarked on an ambitious program to increase the supply of water by building dams. However, this effort is reaching its limits as increasing population and rising demand from the agricultural and industrial sectors put pressure on available resources. In addition, industrial and urban pollution and rapid rates of soil erosion in certain parts of the country are further diminishing the availability of water resources. The World Bank estimates that, if trends continue, Morocco will become a water deficit country by the year 2020.
To respond to this threat, the GOM has developed a national strategy for environmental protection and sustainable development that emphasizes improved management of water demand and preventing the further degradation of existing water resources. Working in close partnership with the GOM, USAID's program is demonstrating impressive results. For example, the annual water savings in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla, where USAID introduced laser leveling and other water conservation measures, is about 200 million cubic meters-enough water to supply the annual needs of a city the size of Fez. This success is serving as a model for government and donor replication of USAID-tested technologies in other areas of Morocco.
With USAID's assistance, Morocco has achieved outstanding results in reducing fertility and mortality of children under five, and its system for providing reproductive healthcare now serves as a model for other countries. Nonetheless, issues remain that pose significant challenges for Morocco to attain self-sufficiency in healthcare delivery. While progressively reducing its financial support, USAID is helping the Ministry of Health to develop sustainable solutions to these problems.
USAID has had notable success in basic education, particularly with policy-reform efforts at the national and provincial levels of government. This success has helped USAID's rural model schools-focused on girls' education-to become examples for other donors to emulate. Nonetheless, Morocco's poor statistics in school attendance and retention and extremely high illiteracy rates indicate that the country still is a long way from achieving the minimum levels expected of a low/middle-income country.
Other Donors
Donor assistance to Morocco totals about $1 billion per year, in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and commercial credit that primarily finances infrastructure development. The largest multilateral donor programs in Morocco are those of the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank. Regarding bilateral donors, U.S. grant assistance ranks fourth, behind Japan, Germany, and France. In spite of this ranking, USAID will continue to play a far more significant role than its program size indicates. For example, USAID is perceived as the leading donor in microenterprise development, family planning, and water resources management.
FY 2002 Program
USAID will continue to support the GOM's efforts to stimulate economic growth by improving the environment for private sector investments. In the important area of water, continuing and new activities will focus on improving water quality for household use, treating and reusing water discharges for agricultural purposes, and creating an intersectoral, public-private sector river basin agency. In the education and health sectors, USAID will continue ongoing activities, focusing on consolidating gains and promoting sustainability. In one geographic region, USAID combines resources from each strategic and special objective to promote cross-sectoral themes of gender and public-private partnerships. The focus of these activities at the regional and subregional levels is building the capabilities of civil society and local government leaders to participate effectively in decision-making for the financing and delivery of social services at all levels.
In addition to the bilateral program, USAID has several other activities in Morocco. The Global Bureau has activities to strengthen the rule of law; advocate for women's rights and legal rights; promote female equity in education; and promote the increased use of voluntary family planning practices to reduce fertility.
Two USAID regional programs-the Regional Middle East Democracy Fund and the North Africa Regional Trade and Investment Initiative-provide resources for a small democracy and governance program, as well as regional economic growth activities. In the democracy program, USAID is providing management and advocacy skills training to Moroccan nongovernmental organizations; court administration training for the Ministry of Justice; ethics training; women's rights and awareness seminars for women's associations; and a pilot decentralization program. Regional economic growth activities focus on building the capacity of Morocco's telecommunications regulatory agency and improving the structural and administrative climate for private investors.
Activity Data Sheets
- 608-001 Reduced Fertility and Improved Health of Children Under Five and Women of Childbearing Age
- 608-005 Increased Opportunities for Domestic and Foreign Investment
- 608-006 Improved Water Resources Management in the Souss-Massa River Basin 608-006
- 608-007 Key Interventions Promote Sustainability of Population, Health and Nutrition Programs
- 608-008 Increased Attainment of Basic Education Among Girls in Selected Rural Provinces
Country Background Information Resources CIA Factbook
Library of CongressNational Geographic Country Maps
State Dept. Country Information
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Last Updated on: September 10, 2002 |
