The Sebou Watershed Agency has launched its annual awareness campaign aimed at preventing drowning incidents in rivers and reservoir lakes, starting from the weekly market in Ain Drej, near the Unity Dam. This initiative highlights the inherent dangers associated with swimming in these water bodies, particularly during the summer months.
Targeting Vulnerable Areas
The campaign diligently targets several dams, lakes, and notable river segments of the Sebou basin, with a primary focus on communities living in proximity to the reservoirs. Additionally, it seeks to advise summer visitors that the seemingly calm waters may conceal significant risks.
Widespread Outreach
Planned activities will take place at various weekly markets adjacent to critical dams, including Ain Drej, Sidi Abd el-Jalil, Tahla, Miks, and Ait Yeddine, situated near the Unity, Idriss I, Bab Louta, Sidi Saha, and Qunsara dams. Nourdine Serghini, head of partnerships and communication at the Sebou Watershed Agency, emphasized that the campaign responds to the alarming rise in drowning cases in recent years. Statistics reveal over 120 drowning incidents since 2017, attributed mainly to swimming in dam reservoirs.
The Importance of Awareness
Choosing to launch the campaign from Ain Drej market is strategic, as it lies close to the Unity Dam, the largest in Morocco. Serghini stressed that these dams serve primarily for water resource management and should not be viewed as recreation spaces. Calm appearances can be deceptive, hiding potential dangers such as depths that exceed 100 meters and strong currents, making any swimming activity life-threatening and strictly prohibited.
Continued Efforts and Collaboration
Mustafa Tantawi, head of the Unity Dam, reiterated the commitment of the agency to conduct field awareness campaigns annually to mitigate swimming risks in reservoir lakes. He noted that past educational efforts have successfully reduced drowning fatalities, underscoring the necessity of ongoing awareness to protect lives.
The Sebou Watershed Agency conducts this campaign in collaboration with local authorities, community associations, and civil protection services. Utilizing diverse communication methods—including social media awareness messages, media coverage, and distribution of informative brochures and posters—it aims to engage a broad audience. Furthermore, mobile tents and vehicles equipped with loudspeakers will facilitate outreach, engaging specialized communication offices and agency personnel to ensure the campaign’s success.
