Morocco has announced a new national program to accelerate waste-water treatment and liquid sanitation projects across the country.
Officials said the initiative, which will see an investment of 5.6 billion U.S. dollars, reflects the North African country's commitment to addressing water scarcity and environmental protection while supporting economic development across urban and rural areas.
Morocco has always had issues with water management, but climate change and a recent drought brought home to many just how serious the problem was becoming. Now the government is looking to get ahead of it with an ambitious and expensive project that will equip 223 cities and urban centers with sanitation networks and waste-water treatment plants.
Morocco's Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said the program will make it possible to reuse 100 million cubic meters of wastewater annually by 2027 and 537 million cubic meters by 2040.
The Moroccan government has been criticized in the past for serving some areas better than others. However, the scope of this plan aims to allow both affluent urban areas and less developed rural areas to benefit.
"Morocco has opted for proactive strategies to cope with growing water scarcity challenges and to achieve the equality for which his Majesty the King has called for. So, there is no place for Morocco moving at two speeds. There must be equal speed in developing rural areas as well as modernizing city infrastructure," said Mustafa Al Issat, a Moroccan environmental expert.
This plan aims to reduce pressure on conventional water resources by meeting the growing water demand. The treated wastewater is viewed as a strategy for water security.
It is also intended to play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector, which accounts for 85 percent of the North African country's water consumption.
Moroccan government launches 5.6-bln USD wastewater treatment program
The European Union (EU) on Saturday urged Israel to reopen all Gaza border crossings to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support at scale.
In a statement published by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU reiterated its grave concern over the persistent and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It said the severe flooding and winter conditions impacting the enclave are further aggravating the living conditions of an already exhausted population, exacerbating unsafe conditions and human suffering.
The statement noted that a year after the ceasefire was announced, military strikes continue and shortages of essential items persist due to restricted access, resulting in the absence of acceptable and dignified living conditions.
The EU urged Israel to enable the work of the United Nations and its agencies, and humanitarian organizations, including non-governmental organizations, and to comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
The bloc underlined the need to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times, particularly the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as medical personnel and facilities. It described the recent airstrike on Nasser Hospital as "deeply alarming."
Reaffirming its commitment to the two-state solution, the EU called on all actors to fully implement the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 without delay, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international political and legal principles, in particular the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the civilian transition in Gaza.
The statement stressed that Hamas should not have any role in the future governance of Gaza.
On Nov. 7, Gaza's civil defense authorities declared a state of maximum emergency as a rainstorm flooded around 70,000 tents housing displaced Palestinians and overwhelmed rescue services.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 1.4 million Palestinians, or 65 percent of Gaza's population, were living in tents or makeshift shelters. It warned that humanitarian shelter stocks inside Gaza were virtually exhausted, while more than 150,000 tents remained outside the territory awaiting entry. However, Israel says it restricts certain materials over concerns that Hamas could use them for military purposes.
EU urges Israel to reopen all Gaza crossings, allow unimpeded humanitarian aid
