Morocco

Alliance linking organisation: Association Marocaine de Solidarité et Développement (AMSED)

An estimated 21,000 people were living with HIV in Morocco in 2007, or 0.1% of adults. Among vulnerable groups in some regions the rate exceeds 5%. HIV is mainly transmitted through heterosexual sex (82%) and sex between men (8%).

Morocco’s HIV epidemic appears to be growing, especially among young people and women. Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections indicate high levels of unprotected sex and relatively high rates of sexual partner exchange among certain groups (such as sex workers, seasonal workers and youth). Needle sharing between injecting drug users is an emerging issue. In prisons, HIV prevalence is 0.6%.

Migrants from other African countries are increasingly using Morocco as a staging post for attempts to reach Europe. These migrants are often in extremely vulnerable situations and lack knowledge of HIV transmission. Efforts to help migrants and other vulnerable groups are hampered by discrimination.

Over the last few years, the national response to HIV has been strengthened considerably, and the government has recognised the value of civil society involvement. However, there remain significant barriers to people accessing services.

What we do

Since 1997, the Alliance’s linking organisation in Morocco, AMSED (Association Marocaine de Solidarité et Développement) has been providing financial and technical support to community-based organisations to carry out HIV/STI prevention projects. These activities reach key populations including men who have sex with men, sex workers, prisoners, mobile and migrant populations, single mothers, illiterate women, young people and STI service users.

AMSED’s approach is twofold. Firstly, to develop a comprehensive package of services and make them more accessible for marginalised populations. Secondly, to develop and promote an integrated approach to mainstreaming HIV/STI prevention activities into development and educational programmes, thereby reducing stigma and discrimination.

AMSED trains and works with peer educators from within key populations. It has a particular focus on work with sex workers, developing focused information, education and communication materials, and carrying out needs assessments and skills training.

Morocco is also part of the Alliance’s North Africa and Near East regional prevention programme with men who have sex with men, through a collaboration between AMSED and another Moroccan partner.

Future plans

In partnership with AMSED, the Alliance will continue to increase community access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support in Morocco. We will strengthen the technical and organisational capacity of civil society organisations, and improve coordination of their activities in the national response to HIV. We will also work to confront stigma and discrimination, which are key barriers to the effective control of HIV in Morocco.