Morocco : People with disabilities doubly impacted by the health crisis

A survey that focused on 400 respondents revealed that the health crisis has mostly affected people with disabilities in Morocco. The impact of the pandemic was particularly felt when it comes to basic health services.

The impact of the health crisis is mostly observed among children, the survey conducted by Handicap International revealed on Monday.

Access to education also remains a big challenge. «The number of children with disabilities who had access to education during the crisis is significantly lower» than the national average, wrote the NGO. 

«Despite the efforts made by the public authorities to manage the crisis», people with disabilities were also the most affected financially. Indeed, the findings show that the confinement was «an important factor of impoverishment». 53.8% of respondents indicate that their income has decreased since March and 35.8% of them no longer have a main income.

Handicap International recalls that 39.4% of 18-24 year olds «were able to obtain financial assistance while 70.6% of them experienced a drop in their income and 63.6% have no income since the start of lockdown». Only 43% of the people who benefited from financial help had disabilities.