Floods in Ksar El Kebir and Gharb spark calls to delay bank loan repayments

Calls for banking relief amid force majeure conditions

Civil society organizations have urged Moroccan banks to introduce emergency measures by delaying loan repayments for citizens affected by the recent floods in Ksar El Kebir and parts of the Gharb region, citing their deteriorating financial and psychological conditions.

According to these groups, many victims have been forced to halt their professional activities due to force majeure, after being evacuated to other cities.

Banking sector response

Speaking to Hespress, a source within the Professional Grouping of Moroccan Banks stated that there is currently no indication of formal discussions regarding specific measures for flood victims.

The source noted, however, that Moroccan banks are generally aware of such exceptional circumstances and have previously acted independently during crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

Severe material losses and government responsibility

Abdelouahed Zayat, president of the Moroccan Network for the Civil Alliance of Youth, described the floods as a force majeure event that has severely affected household and business resources, despite the absence of human casualties.

He called on the government to activate the natural disaster compensation fund and deploy ministerial committees on the ground to assess the damage firsthand.

Workers’ protection and social security measures

Zayat also stressed the need for intervention by the employment authorities and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) to protect workers’ rights, recognize flood-related absences as legally justified, and prevent unfair dismissals.

Emergency housing and parliamentary oversight

He further advocated for the use of large public facilities, such as the Bouznika Youth and Childhood Complex, to provide safe shelter for displaced families, while urging Parliament to exercise oversight through a dedicated fact-finding committee.