When disaster strikes, nations instinctively accept any and all forms of help. Morocco’s recent crisis response, however, deviated from this norm.
In the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck Morocco in early September, the country made headlines not just for the tragedy it suffered but also for its unconventional approach to international aid. Rather than accepting all assistance offers, the Moroccan government chose to be selective. Morocco’s quality-over-quantity approach to disaster relief provides a framework of discretion and intentionality that other aid-recipient nations should follow.
The Moroccan government ignored offers from countries like France and its neighbour, Algeria, accepting offers from only four countries—Spain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Each of these sent rescue teams to the areas affected by the earthquake. Offers for aid were selected only after the Moroccan government carried out a precise assessment of the needs on site.
According to Moroccan authorities, by being selective, the government aims to control and coordinate the type of assistance coming into the country. “A lack of coordination in such cases would be counterproductive” noted one representative. This bespoke approach ensures that the assistance received is immediately effective, mitigates duplication of efforts, and minimises the waste of resources.
While Morocco is in desperate need of international assistance, a blanket acceptance of all forms of aid can cause logistical nightmares, resulting in uncoordinated and ineffective efforts. One such case is Haiti, which received billions of dollars in foreign aid following a devastating earthquake that struck the country in 2010. The aid allocation was marred with mismanagement, leaving many survivors without relief more than a decade later.
Reports from Morocco indicate the government has deployed its resources effectively, an outstanding result stemming from an intentional and upstanding government. From the first moments following the building collapse, intervention from the royal armed forces and local authorities made efforts quicker than expected. Within 48 hours of the earthquake, a road leading to the earthquake-affected area was reopened, easing aid delivery to the region.
Within three days, Moroccan leader Muhammad VI set up a national solidarity fund to receive voluntary donations from the whole country to channel aid to the survivors.
While Morocco’s policy makes sense in terms of resource allocation, it also has a sociocultural impact. By selectively adopting aid, the government incentivizes local initiatives and community participation in relief efforts. This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among citizens, but also guarantees that aid is dispensed in a manner sensitive to local customs and traditions.
Young volunteers from across the country are coordinating help from the citizens to the victims who desperately need it. A report indicates that this grassroots effort is getting supplies to those in need faster than official help in many areas. According to a European Commission report, community participation in aid programs like those we are seeing in Morocco can significantly increase their effectiveness.
Although Morocco’s cautious, local approach has attracted some criticism, the Moroccan government has only accepted aid catered to its specific needs and priorities. In doing so, they have avoided the pitfalls that ensnare nations that take foreign aid regardless of the needs of their countries.
Foreign Aid Dilemma
For years, economists like Dambisa Moyo and Kingsley Moghalu have argued emphatically against the effectiveness of foreign aid. They cite the trillions of dollars sent to the African continent over the past decade to show that donations to irresponsible governments have little to no effect.
Between 2015 and 2020 alone, Sub-Saharan African countries received $308.35 billion in donations. Yet it’s not clear that all this money has made an impact
A case study by Mary Izobo, a lawyer and governance expert, found that despite receiving significant amounts of foreign aid, Botswana and Somalia have seen few improvements in socio-economic or political development. This is attributed to bad governance, high levels of corruption, and a lack of governmental accountability.
A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that uncoordinated aid allocation creates duplication of aid, a situation where multiple donors provide similar kinds of assistance. This results in substantial bureaucratic costs by the recipient. Economists argue that the positive impact of aid on economic growth lessens as the volume of aid rises, due to high risk of corruption and dependence on foreign assistance. This is why an aid-selective manner like that of Morocco should be a model for African nations to follow.
Selectivity in accepting aid can, of course, be a double-edged sword. The immediate needs during a crisis may demand a less discerning policy. Critics argue that Morocco’s selectivity is politically motivated and could slow down the response time in dire situations.
However, a few weeks after the earthquake disaster, citizens and observers have praised the effectiveness of Moroccan authorities’ efforts. One such observer, a former British minister for international trade and minister for Africa, applauded the country’s ability to contain the disaster within a short timeframe.
Morocco’s approach serves as a valuable guide for how other aid-recipient nations could revolutionise their own foreign aid strategies. It underscores that in crisis situations, effective governance can be more impactful than merely accumulating foreign aid.
Abdullah Tijani is a journalist and writer from Nigeria. He is a Young Voices’ contributor and a graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, where he studied Law.
