The 25th edition of the Marhaba operation has wrapped up with record numbers, as over 4.06 million Moroccans living abroad returned home between June 10 and September 15, a nearly 11% increase compared to 2024.
Held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, this milestone edition marks a quarter-century of humanitarian support for Moroccans abroad, underscoring the enduring bond between Morocco and its diaspora.
Speaking to MAP, Sanae Derdikh, Communications Director of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, emphasized that the figures reflect not only strong ties with the Moroccan diaspora but also the extensive human and logistical mobilization undertaken to facilitate their safe return.
Lasting over three months, the operation was marked by smooth management of passenger flows, particularly during peak periods that saw more than 86,000 crossings per day, Derdikh noted. Overall, she described the operation as having taken place under "very good conditions."
The Foundation, in partnership with institutional partners, deployed a network of 26 reception sites, 20 in Morocco and 6 abroad, supported by 1,000 personnel, including social workers, doctors, and nurses.
Medical and social services provided direct assistance to more than 88,000 members of the diaspora, including over 22,000 cases of administrative and customs support, more than 7,500 medical interventions (including critical emergencies requiring transfer to university hospitals), and over 1,575 instances of direct transport assistance.
Beyond the statistics, the Marhaba operation reflects HM the King’s special attention to Moroccans abroad and the Mohammed V Foundation’s ongoing commitment to providing tailored reception and support services each year, Derdikh highlighted.
The medical component played a crucial role in ensuring traveler safety. At the Port of Tanger-Med, a four-month-old infant with respiratory distress was stabilized on site before being transferred to a university hospital, while a diabetic adult from Switzerland in hypoglycemic coma received urgent rehydration and evacuation, alongside other critical cases.
Omar Moussa Abdellah, project manager and supervisor of the operation at the Foundation, confirmed that the operation “went well”, with peak entry and exit periods effectively managed.
He stressed that the mobilization of human and logistical resources exemplifies the Foundation’s humanitarian mission: standing by Moroccans abroad with urgent medical care, administrative support, and transport assistance. He affirmed that Marhaba 2025 was a significant success.
In addition, under High Royal Instructions, the 2025 edition opened two new reception sites in Dakhla and Laayoune, further expanding the reach of the operation and strengthening Morocco’s territorial coverage.
