Operation Marhaba

Those who choose to travel with La Méridionale between Marseille and Morocco can take advantage of the Marhaba programme. Initiated by Mohammed VI in 2001 and implemented by his foundation, this humanitarian assistance action allows people to receive support from doctors, social workers and volunteers when departing from Marseille and arriving at the port of Tanger-Med.

Marhaba: An operation to help Moroccans living abroad return to their homeland

In Arabic, Marhaba means welcome. This term, which evokes the hospitality and conviviality so dear to Moroccan culture, refers to the reception and assistance measures intended to help Moroccans living abroad (marocains résidant à l’étranger – MRE) who are returning to the land of the setting sun for their holidays.

The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity organises and supervises operations. The organisation, founded in 1998 by Mohammed VI, is dedicated to the poorest people and provides humanitarian aid in emergency situations. It works in fields as varied as education, health, disability and the fight against insecurity. 

To carry out its missions, the institution draws on its own resources and works in partnership with civil society. Thus, during operation Marhaba, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Customs and Excise Administration and the National Ports Agency work alongside banks, shipping companies and airlines.

The Marhaba programme begins on 5 June and ends on 15 September. For over two months, the Mohammed V Foundation and its teams welcome travellers 24/7. Reception points are set up in the busiest transit areas. Passengers can see a doctor, seek administrative assistance and even receive social support there.

But the action also takes place outside of these spaces. A Marhaba helpline, website and mobile app help people to plan their return and contact the players involved.

The various reception programmes and sites

The aim of Marhaba is to make it easier for Moroccans to travel from abroad during the summer and improve reception conditions for them. While it is open to all Moroccans living abroad, special attention is paid to the most vulnerable, such as elderly, disabled or ill people.

Marhaba reception programme: sites in Europe

In Europe, six reception points are set up in the ports of departure for the ferries to Morocco.
In France, two ports participate: Marseille, in Bouches-du-Rhône, and Sète, in Hérault. If you bought your ferry ticket for Morocco aboard a La Méridionale ship, you can benefit from the Marhaba programme as soon you embark in Marseille.

Marhaba reception programme: national sites

In Morocco, 18 sites are open to welcome Moroccan nationals entering the Kingdom by sea, road or air.
 
These include the ports of Tanger-Med, Tanger Ville, Al Hoceima and Nador Beni Ansar. The destination of La Méridionale's ferries for Morocco from Barcelona and Marseille is Tanger-Med. So you can ask the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity for help on arrival.

There are reception points at the border posts of Bab Sebta and Bab Melilla, on the border with the Spanish enclaves. The Méditerranée, Smir M’Diq, Jebha and Tazaghine rest areas are also equipped to welcome travellers as part of operation Marhaba.
If you are travelling by plane, eight airports have a reception point:

• Agadir
• Casablanca
• Fez
• Marrakech
• Nador
• Oujda
• Rabat-Salé
• Tangier

Operation Marhaba in a few figures

The return of the diaspora is a real logistical challenge. The five million expatriate Moroccans make up half of the country's tourism flows. Their journeys are concentrated into a few weeks, which poses an additional challenge. On average, 4,500 vehicles and 35,000 people cross the border every day.

 Every year, 1,000 voluntary workers and volunteers take action for Marhaba. Social workers, doctors and paramedical staff take care of three million Moroccans who use the programme.

 Last year, the teams answered 110,000 requests for information and provided social or medical assistance to 180,000 of their fellow Moroccans. 60,000 citizens were offered administrative, legal or transport help.
 Arrivals by sea made up 52% of arrivals, in other words 1,608,000 people.
The port of Tanger Med remained the number one destination for ferries to Morocco, with around 500,000 passengers ahead of the ports of Nador and Tanger-Ville.

48% of travellers came by plane. With around 400,000 passengers, Casablanca airport is the busiest during the Marhaba period, way ahead of Marrakech and Nador.

To travel with peace of mind in the summer, book your ferry ticket for Morocco with La Méridionale. On board, you will receive the highest standard of service and benefit from our crew's expertise. In Marseille and Tangier, you can access the reception and assistance provided by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity as part of operation Marhaba.