The LANDSCAPE
L'humdullah, Morocco has yet to experience a large-scale HIV/AIDS* epidemic. The virus remains concentrated mostly in urban areas, and currently affects approximately 30,000 Moroccans (UN estimate, 2012).
*In Morocco, AIDS is known by the French acronym SIDA. HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS/SIDA.
The prevalence of STIs, high levels of unemployment, clandestine acceptance of professional sex work, low social position of women, high stigmatization of HIV/AIDS and the widespread presence of misinformation has created a favorable environment for a more widespread outbreak.
For the latest data, check out these resources:
-Morocco's National Strategic Plan via the National AIDS Control Programme
-UNICEF's At a Glance Statistics for Morocco
-Sexually Transmitted Infections in Morocco (2016)
-UNAIDS Morocco data (2017)
-The epidemiology of HIV infection in Morocco", International Journal of STD & AIDS (2013)
- Morocco's Report Card for HIV Prevention for Girls and Young Women. (2008)
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Morocco
The government of Morocco and health NGOs are now more closely monitoring STIs in the country.
NEWS IN 2015 >>>
The Moroccan government published what is being hailed as the country’s first official data (limited, though) on sex workers in May. The Health Ministries in four cities — Rabat, Tangier, Fez and Agadir — said that there were 19,333 sex workers there in 2011. You can read the Al Jazeera story here.
*In Morocco, AIDS is known by the French acronym SIDA. HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS/SIDA.
The prevalence of STIs, high levels of unemployment, clandestine acceptance of professional sex work, low social position of women, high stigmatization of HIV/AIDS and the widespread presence of misinformation has created a favorable environment for a more widespread outbreak.
For the latest data, check out these resources:
-Morocco's National Strategic Plan via the National AIDS Control Programme
-UNICEF's At a Glance Statistics for Morocco
-Sexually Transmitted Infections in Morocco (2016)
-UNAIDS Morocco data (2017)
-The epidemiology of HIV infection in Morocco", International Journal of STD & AIDS (2013)
- Morocco's Report Card for HIV Prevention for Girls and Young Women. (2008)
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Morocco
The government of Morocco and health NGOs are now more closely monitoring STIs in the country.
- 2.8% of the general population has Syphilis; 17.7% of sex workers have Syphilis. --
- 40% of reported STI cases are between the ages of 15-29 years old. --
- Annual STI infection rates are on the rise: 240,000 in the late 1990s to 370,000 in 2005. --
- 69% of women declared that they do not know of other STIs besides HIV.
NEWS IN 2015 >>>
The Moroccan government published what is being hailed as the country’s first official data (limited, though) on sex workers in May. The Health Ministries in four cities — Rabat, Tangier, Fez and Agadir — said that there were 19,333 sex workers there in 2011. You can read the Al Jazeera story here.
HIV/AIDS Organizations in Morocco
Morocco now enjoys a growing network of HIV/AIDS organizations and programs. Morocco’s Ministry of Health partners with two main organizations as well as associations across Morocco.
PCVs are welcome to contact these organizations for resources and assistance. Both offer support for prevention, testing, treatment, counseling and advocacy with all populations. Each has centers in Morocco’s major cities and representatives in smaller towns.
1. ALCS (Association de Lutte Contre Le SIDA or The Association for the Fight Against AIDS)
Website: www.alcs.ma
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlcsAssociationDeLutteContreLeSida
Phone: +212 05 22 22 31 13 / 14
Email: alcs@menara.ma
ALCS manages mobile testing vans that travel around Morocco giving free, anonymous testing. You can work with them to arrange workshops with their experts and include a visit from the mobile testing van. They also offer comprehensive brochures on SIDA prevention.
Current locations: Agadir, Béni Mellal, Casablanca, El Jadida, Essaouira, Fès, Guelmin, Laâyoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknès, Nador, Oujda, Rabat, Safi, Tanger, Taroudant, Tétouan, Tiznit
2. OPALS (Organisation Panafricaine de Lutte contre le SIDA or Pan-African Organization for the Fights Against AIDS)
Website: http://www.opalsmaroc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpalsMaroc
Phone: +212 05 37 65 71 21
Email: opalsmaroc@hotmail.com
This French organization has representatives all over Morocco ready to assist you with your SIDA prevention activities. They have testing facilities in many cities.
Current locations: Agadir, Azrou, Beni-Mellal, Casablanca, El Kelaa, Essaouira, Fès, Kenitra, Khenifra, Laayoune, Meknès, Marrakech, Rabat, Settat, Tanger, Taza, Tetouan.
3. The Global Fund
Website: http://www.theglobalfund.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theglobalfund
List of Contacts: Contacts in Morocco
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need.
4. Drosos Foundation
Website: http://www.drosos.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drosos-Foundation
Phone: +212 05 22 36 49 06
Email: casablanca@drosos.org
Drosos Foundation has been active in Morocco since 2007, providing support for projects to help vulnerable groups in the areas of protection and social reintegration, vocational training and integration into the labour market, environmental awareness, promoting creativity, preventing HIV/AIDS and reducing the risk of harm among drug users.
PCVs are welcome to contact these organizations for resources and assistance. Both offer support for prevention, testing, treatment, counseling and advocacy with all populations. Each has centers in Morocco’s major cities and representatives in smaller towns.
1. ALCS (Association de Lutte Contre Le SIDA or The Association for the Fight Against AIDS)
Website: www.alcs.ma
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlcsAssociationDeLutteContreLeSida
Phone: +212 05 22 22 31 13 / 14
Email: alcs@menara.ma
ALCS manages mobile testing vans that travel around Morocco giving free, anonymous testing. You can work with them to arrange workshops with their experts and include a visit from the mobile testing van. They also offer comprehensive brochures on SIDA prevention.
Current locations: Agadir, Béni Mellal, Casablanca, El Jadida, Essaouira, Fès, Guelmin, Laâyoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknès, Nador, Oujda, Rabat, Safi, Tanger, Taroudant, Tétouan, Tiznit
2. OPALS (Organisation Panafricaine de Lutte contre le SIDA or Pan-African Organization for the Fights Against AIDS)
Website: http://www.opalsmaroc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpalsMaroc
Phone: +212 05 37 65 71 21
Email: opalsmaroc@hotmail.com
This French organization has representatives all over Morocco ready to assist you with your SIDA prevention activities. They have testing facilities in many cities.
Current locations: Agadir, Azrou, Beni-Mellal, Casablanca, El Kelaa, Essaouira, Fès, Kenitra, Khenifra, Laayoune, Meknès, Marrakech, Rabat, Settat, Tanger, Taza, Tetouan.
3. The Global Fund
Website: http://www.theglobalfund.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theglobalfund
List of Contacts: Contacts in Morocco
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need.
4. Drosos Foundation
Website: http://www.drosos.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drosos-Foundation
Phone: +212 05 22 36 49 06
Email: casablanca@drosos.org
Drosos Foundation has been active in Morocco since 2007, providing support for projects to help vulnerable groups in the areas of protection and social reintegration, vocational training and integration into the labour market, environmental awareness, promoting creativity, preventing HIV/AIDS and reducing the risk of harm among drug users.