First Group of Moroccan Seasonal Workers from Huelva Arrives in Morocco

Tangier - A first group of 1,200 Moroccan seasonal workers from the Spanish province of Huelva arrived Sunday at the port of Tanger Med aboard a boat from the port of Huelva. A total of 7,100 seasonal workers will be repatriated by sea from Huelva through six boats ensuring the direct maritime connection between the ports of Huelva and Tanger Med, which were made available by the Moroccan State.

This is the first group of Moroccan seasonal workers who were stranded in the province of Huelva (southern Spain) due to coronavirus-restrictions to be repatriated, Omar Moussa Abdullah, in charge of the medical and humanitarian pole at the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, told reporters. The Foundation, which is in charge of overseeing the Marhaba operation to welcome Moroccans living abroad, has a duty to be alongside all Moroccans who are living in a particular situation, in order to provide assistance and alleviate their suffering, he added.

The official stressed that the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity has implemented the high instructions of HM King Mohammed VI for the launch of the Marhaba Operation, despite the exceptional circumstances linked to the coronavirus pandemic and even if it started late, recalling the arrival, during the past two days, of the first boats at the ports of Beni Nsar (Nador) and Tanger Med. "Today we receive another boat carrying nearly 1,200 Moroccan seasonal workers who were stranded in Spain," he said.

Moussa Abdullah welcomed the good conduct of this operation thanks to good coordination between the various stakeholders, in particular the port authorities, national security, customs and local authorities, in addition to the precious contribution of the Mohammed V Foundation for solidarity. The Tanger Med port authority, for its part, has mobilized the necessary logistical means to ensure the success of this operation and handed meals and disinfecting gel for the beneficiaries, who were then transported by buses to their places of residence in Morocco.

The ambassador of Morocco to Spain, Mrs. Karima Benyaich, has visited Huelva to learn about the good progress of the first stage of this operation which takes place under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, said a statement from the Moroccan diplomatic representation in Madrid.