Morocco launches emergency number to combat child trafficking after earthquake | Abroad

Posts have gone viral on social media in which mainly adult men make disturbing statements about vulnerable children in Moroccan disaster areas.

Facebook groups call for people to travel to affected villages and marry young girls to “save them from their tragedies.” Several men see this as an ideal opportunity to marry what they describe as “impressionable, pious and modest country girls”.

Photos were shared of men posing very close to girls as young as 7 and 8 years old with captions such as: “She doesn’t want to come with me to Casablanca yet, but I whispered that we will get married when she grows up. I love you x.”

“I am shocked by the stories of volunteers helping in Al Haouz since Saturday witnessing harassment of local girls,” said one social media user. “These vulnerable girls have already lost so much and now there are people trying to exploit them in these difficult times. Shame on you.”

At the same time, concerns about the well-being of boys are increasing as there is a threat of exploitation and forced labor.

Tweets from people trying to adopt young earthquake victims were severely criticized. “It seems these people are being very selective as they share specific photos that have gone viral of young girls,” the post said on social media. Many have asked them to follow legal adoption routes instead of searching for children online.

To address this emerging crisis, the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Morocco has launched a “green number” (080000 4747). This allows Moroccans to report suspected cases of human trafficking or threats to children.

The initiative encourages citizens to be vigilant and play an active role in protecting vulnerable children. Moroccan authorities are working with international organizations such as UNICEF to protect and support affected children.