Lumière pour le Maroc initiative: our support for earthquake victims

In November 2023, Electriciens sans frontières launched the “Initiative Lumière pour le Maroc” project, supported by the Centre de Crise et de Soutien (CDCS) of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

This initiative responds to the urgent needs of populations affected by the earthquake of September 2023, in the regions of Chichaoua, El Haouz, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant.

Thanks to the support of the CDCS, several actions have been carried out:

• Distribution of lamps and solar kits to families living in disaster areas din the regions of Chichaoua, El HaouzOuarzazate and Taroudant.

• Installation of 150 solar-powered street lampsi n the El Haouz region, particularly in the Amizmiz valley, to light up congested areas, gathering places and communal areas such as sanitary facilities.

These solar-powered streetlights, designed to be relocated as douars begin to be rebuilt, meet essential needs in terms of safety and energy autonomy.

Installing solar-powered streetlamps makes it possible to :

• improve accessibilityé and safety of douars at night night lighting,

• to promote social social activities and improve the quality of life in affected communities.

Following a new needs assessment in October 2024, Electriciens sans frontières stepped up its action:

• Distribution and installation of additional solar kitsf or people not covered by the first operations in the Taroudant, El Haouz and Ouarzazate regions.

• Installation of 290 new solar-powered street lamps to improve lighting in encampment areas in the regions of Ouarzazate, El Haouz and Taroudant.

To carry out these activities, Electriciens sans frontières relies on its collaboration with Entraide Nationale marocaine and involves the various levels of local authorities in its decision-making, while working in synergy with its local partner Morocco Future Energy Leader (MFEL).

As part of its commitment to strengthening Franco-Moroccan cooperation, Electriciens sans frontières is keen to foster synergies with Moroccan national players. The recent signing of a framework agreement with MFEL, during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in October 2024, illustrates this commitment.

In addition the distribution of solar kits and the installation of street lampsthe awareness-raising sessions on the use and maintenance of the equipment were organized, with the distribution of training materials translated into Darija to ensure the lasting appropriation of the equipment by the beneficiaries and to provide them with the information they need to maintain the equipment they have installed.

Electriciens sans frontières will carry out soon a mapping of electrical and electronic waste management structures to ensure that the waste generated by renewable energy equipment renewable energy equipment (lamps and solar kits) is collected, treated and disposed of responsibly, in compliance with environmental standards. This approach is part of an environmental action plan designed to limit the impact of installed equipment and promote social and environmental responsibility.

🔴 Receipt and staking out of solar streetlights

Our teams went on site to:

• Receive the 150 solar streetlights installed in the Amizmiz Valley (El Haouz region).
• Mark out the locations for the installation of 290 new solar street lights in the El Haouz, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant regions, in coordination with local authorities and installation companies.
  Staking out is a strategic step that involves working with local authorities to choose the location of each streetlight. The location of the streetlights is chosen so that they can illuminate convergence areas as well as areas providing access to essential services, such as in front of schools or latrines.

🔴 Distribution of lamps and solar kits

Our team worked hard to deploy:

• 600 solar lamps in the Ouarzazate region.
• More than 3,700 solar kits to residents of Ouarzazate, El Haouz, and Taroudant.

At the same time, training activities were carried out:

• Raising awareness among beneficiaries about the use and maintenance of the equipment, with a focus on including women and helping them learn how to use the equipment.
• Distribution of educational materials translated into Darija to ensure optimal use of the solar kits and streetlights.

This latest mission was visited by the Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle of the French Embassy in Morocco, whose representatives were able to observe the uses made of the solar kits and lamps distributed, as well as their their complementarity with the photovoltaic streetlamps installed in the commune of Moulay Brahim.

Crisis and support center of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Groupe Caisse des Dépôts, SPIE, Fondation du Grand Orient de France, Give Eur Hope, UEM, Syndicat intercommunal d’énergie d’Indre et Loire (SIEL 37), Syndicat intercommunal d’énergie de Maine et Loire (SIEML 49), GIMELEC, SIGERLY – Syndicat de gestion des énergies de la région lyonnaise, Sigeif, RTE Réseau de Transport d’Electricité, Enedis, EDF.