Maternal and Child Health in Morocco: A UNICEF-KOICA Partnership to Strengthen Healthcare in Rural Areas
Rabat, September 30, 2025 – The UNICEF office in Morocco and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a strategic partnership aimed at improving maternal and child health in rural areas of Morocco. With funding of $11.7 million USD, this project will be implemented between 2025 and 2029 in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality in Morocco
The primary goal is to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality by focusing on the first 1,000 days of life, a critical period for child development. Despite the progress made, such as the decline in infant mortality from 28.8 to 18 per 1,000 live births between 2011 and 2018, inequalities persist between urban and rural areas. In rural regions, maternal mortality remains at 111.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 44.6 in urban areas.
Three Strategic Areas of Intervention to Enhance Maternal and Child Health
The UNICEF-KOICA project is built on three strategic priorities:
Improvement of Maternal and Neonatal Care: This includes the widespread adoption of the Kangaroo Mother Care approach, neonatal screening, and the enhancement of water and hygiene infrastructures in health centers.
Promotion of Maternal and Child Nutrition: Support for exclusive breastfeeding, distribution of micronutrients, and certification of hospitals as “Baby-Friendly.”
- Community Mobilization: Raising awareness among rural families, strengthening community support networks, and involving civil society organizations.
A Direct Impact on Over 140,000 Beneficiaries Each Year
Every year, this program will directly benefit 15,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 125,000 children under five. Additionally, 200 health professionals will receive training, and 390 community health workers will be supported. Indirectly, more than 1.3 million people living in rural areas will enjoy the positive outcomes of this project.
Supporting Health Reforms in Morocco
This partnership aligns with the UNICEF cooperation program with Morocco and the strategic priorities of KOICA. It supports major national reforms such as universal health coverage, efforts to combat malnutrition, and the reduction of territorial inequalities.
Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, stated:
“This partnership with KOICA presents a unique opportunity to accelerate progress in maternal and child health and to support Morocco’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
For her part, Hyewon Cho, KOICA National Director, added:
“This project illustrates Korea’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s health system and promoting an effective model for maternal and child healthcare in rural areas.”
