Within the framework of this mobilization, which is in line with the high level of concern that HM King Mohammed VI never ceases to show for the Moroccan community living abroad, the Kingdom's embassy and consular services are working to support Moroccan nationals who have been stranded in Spain for a tourist stay since the suspension of air and sea traffic between the two countries; provide the necessary assistance to our citizens in precarious situations and accompany the community through a continuous communication campaign, calling for strict compliance with the decisions of the Spanish government and to raise awareness on the imperative need to comply with the provisions and regulations established by the authorities of this country to respond to this exceptional situation of global health crisis, said the Moroccan diplomat in an interview with MAP.

Explaining the measures taken for the benefit of the Moroccan community residing in Spain, Benyaich said that following the first decisions of the Spanish government, the embassy set up on March 4, in coordination with the ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, a monitoring unit with all consulates general, responsible for providing support to the Moroccan community residing in Spain.

In the aftermath of the joint decision taken by Morocco and Spain to suspend maritime and air traffic, the embassy of the Kingdom set up, on 13 March, a monitoring and communication unit for the benefit of Moroccan tourists who remained stranded on Spanish territory, to get informed of their situation following the spread of the new coronavirus in several regions of the country.

Within this framework, added Benyaich, the embassy and each of the twelve consulates general have set up a telephone line for this purpose, a special WhatsApp number and an e-mail address that have been made "available to our citizens so that they can contact us in case of a problem".

 Benyaich said that she had sent a statement to the Spanish public opinion, which was broadcast by the main press bodies, explaining in detail the reasons and conditions that led the two countries to take this decision.

 She also said she had called, via a televized statement, on all Moroccans residing in Spain to show solidarity and cohesion, and to ensure strict compliance with the instructions and measures, in order to preserve their health and that of their loved ones.

The embassy's communication campaign also relied on the publication of statements broadcast by the press, inviting members of the Moroccan community to strictly respect the recommendations and instructions of the Spanish health authorities and to avoid any travel outside their place of residence.

Concerning the measures taken for the benefit of Moroccan tourists stranded in Spain following the closure of the borders between the two countries, Benyaich stressed that in addition to the establishment of a permanent listening unit via telephone lines, a WhatsApp number and the [email protected] e-mail address, in order to provide those who find themselves in a precarious situation with appropriate assistance and support (accommodation, food, health assistance where necessary), a database has been set up, with the support of the consulates general, to record all Moroccan tourists present on Spanish territory, whose number currently stands at 1,700.

The embassy receives daily, more than 150 phone calls, 200 interactions on WhatsApp and about twenty emails, recalled Benyaich, noting that the diplomatic representation of the Kingdom and the consulate general in Algeciras were faced with a massive influx of Moroccans residing in Italy and France, who came by bus to Morocco, despite the suspension of maritime traffic.

The Moroccan ambassador also recalled that, with regard to the situation of deceased Moroccans and faced with the impossibility of repatriating their bodies for burial in the mother country, the delegate ministry in charge of Moroccans residing abroad, decided to cover the burial expenses of the deceased in a precarious situation and to ensure their burial in Islamic cemeteries or in the squares reserved for Muslims in municipal cemeteries, noting that the embassy and consulates general have so far received no complaints from grieving families regarding the procedure and modalities of burial.

 To this end, the various consulates have joined forces with the local Spanish authorities to increase the spaces reserved for the Moroccan dead, like the Muslim cemetery of Griñón, which has launched the development of 100 additional graves.