Extreme Cold Operation

Emergency response in case of difficult climatic conditions

Every winter, the Foundation deploys its "Extreme Cold Operation". It’s a program designed to assist and support populations suffering from the cold, who are deprived of basic health care and basic means of survival.


Providing relief to populations in remote areas

The Foundation mobilizes in solidarity at each occurrence of an extreme cold episode. Heavy snowfall, low temperatures, icy winds and the persistence of these factors are conducive to high levels of social vulnerability and humanitarian risk. Because of their remoteness and lack of access to health services in particular, mountainous regions and rural communities are the most adversely affected by extreme cold.

Inhabitants suffer particularly when douars are isolated and access to food and medical resources is limited. Assisting these populations is a crucial means of solidarity and social cohesion. In support of actions carried out by the State (rehabilitation and securing of roads, care for the homeless, heating, emergency health care, etc.), the Foundation strives to help vulnerable populations. It provides them with local help and assistance in order to alleviate the impact of the cold.

This humanitarian support includes the distribution of food and blanket kits, allocated to each family living in secluded douars. The Foundation also organizes medical caravans to provide emergency first aid, give access to medication and evacuate emergency cases as needed in crisis situations.

The Extreme Cold Kit consists of blankets and food products: 10 kg flour, 5 kg rice, 5 kg sugar, 1.2 kg milk powder, 500 gr. salt, 400 gr. tea and 5 liters oil

Mohammed V Foundation, extreme cold operation

Organizing national solidarity

Extreme Cold Operations are organized in close collaboration between the Foundation, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health and the local authorities. They also calls for the deployment of significant logistical and human resources, including the Foundation's teams in charge of supervision in the field. Once an Emergency Cold Warning is activated, the most severely affected and isolated areas are identified for emergency response.

Humanitarian aid is mobilized and delivered by the Foundation to remote localities. The Ministry of the Interior and local authorities intervene to ensure that access is possible and coordinate with local populations. They also participate in the distribution of aid to families, by drawing up lists of beneficiaries by douar. The Foundation's teams travel from one locality to another and remain mobilized in the field until the end of the cold spells.