Over the last twenty years, serious crises have happened in parts of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. In some countries, people have faced wars, sudden changes in government, and armed groups that make everyday life dangerous. Many families also live in poverty, so some leave their homes to find a safer place where they can live, work, and send their children to school.
The trip to safety is often long and difficult. People may pass through several countries before they reach a place where they can rest. Many migrants choose Morocco. Some plan to stay there, while others wait in Morocco while their papers are processed or while they try to reach another country. Morocco has a good reputation for welcoming people who need refuge, but life is still hard for many migrants once they arrive.
Many migrants and refugees in Morocco struggle to meet their basic needs. They have trouble getting medical care, buying food, and finding people who can listen to their stories and offer comfort. A lot of these newcomers are refugees or asylum seekers. An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country because it is not safe and is asking another country for protection. A refugee is someone who has already been officially recognized as needing that protection.
Even with these labels, their daily challenges are similar.
