In 2014, Morocco adopted the National Immigration and Asylum Strategy. It is in this context that the new Hijra wa Himaya project, co-funded by the European Union and UNICEF, promotes the rights of migrant children in Morocco.

Context

The number of children traveling alone across borders has been increasing since 2010. It accounts for 10% of all migrants.

Morocco, a transit country, has to live with its growing role as a destination country for many migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, especially children.

These children are particularly vulnerable and are exposed to multiple forms of rights violations.

Several obstacles prevent the integration of these children in Morocco:

• The problem of non-discriminatory access to basic services,
• Inadequate special protection structures (especially for accommodation), and
• The persistence of unfavorable social norms for them.

To honor these international commitments in the field of migration, Morocco has embarked on a proactive migration policy. The project, Hijra wa Himaya, to allow the realization of the rights of migrant children in Morocco, is implemented by UNICEF with a co-financing from the European Union of 1.8 million EUR.

Hijra wa Himaya for whom?

• The project targets 2000 accompanied and unaccompanied migrant children in Morocco, 35% of whom are girls.
• Direct reinforcement actions will benefit social workers, health professionals, teachers, security agents, justice professionals and civil society actors.
• Hijra wa Himaya has a national reach with model actions in two regions (Oriental, Tangier - Tetouan - Al Hoceima).

Hijra wa Himaya why?

• To guarantee the best interests of the migrant child in decisions taken in his regard, in accordance with the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• To ensure to all migrant children, irrespective of their legal status, equitable access to education, health care, appropriate social and judicial care and favorable temporary housing conditions;
• To ensure that migrant children are sufficiently informed to understand their situation, to be able to negotiate their interests and to be consulted for decisions affecting them.

Results of Hijra wa Himaya

• Institutional actors respect the principle of the best interests of children in the treatment of migrant children's affairs from their arrival on the Moroccan territory until the identification of durable solutions;
• Institutional and civil society actors have increased capacity to provide coordinated responses to the specific protection needs of migrant children, including victims of trafficking;
• Migrant children have equitable access to quality services that meet their specific health, education and shelter needs in the 2 target areas of the project.

Overall budget of Hijra wa Himaya project:

26.7 million Dirhams, or 2.4 million euros

• Contribution from the European Union: EUR 1,800,000.00
• UNICEF contribution: EUR 647,277.01

Project duration Hijra wa Himaya:

March 2018 - March 2021