From October 23 to 25, 2024, the Moroccan Red Crescent (MRC) held a transformative workshop in Marrakech aimed at developing a national First Aid action plan aligned with the IFRC’s Vision 2030. This critical event brought together key stakeholders, trainers, and experts to strategize on strengthening First Aid services in Morocco, ensuring inclusivity, sustainability, and impact.

Objectives of the Workshop

This workshop sought to address these challenges and create a roadmap for the future of First Aid in Morocco. The objectives included:

• Developing a national First Aid action plan in line with IFRC’s Vision 2030.
• Strengthening the capacity of FA trainers and trainers of trainers (ToTs).
• Enhancing material and technological resources for FA.
• Ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all, including women, people with disabilities, and rural communities.

Methodology

The workshop employed an interactive and participatory approach to ensure a comprehensive action plan. Activities included:

• Presentations on the IFRC Vision 2030, focusing on the six priority areas.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions to map MRC’s current FA activities and align them with future goals.
• Analysis of existing and new activities to prioritize for implementation.
• Identification of indicators, resources, responsibilities and partners
• Emphasis on gender balance, inclusivity, and outreach to underserved communities.

Key Outcomes

The workshop produced a clear and actionable First Aid action plan, focusing on:

• Innovative Resources: Identifying material needs for FA training at community branch and national levels.
• Enhanced Capacity Building: Strengthening FA trainers’ skills and creating sustainable training systems.
• Inclusivity and Gender Equality: Ensuring balanced access to FA services across diverse demographics.
• Community Engagement: Expanding FA outreach to rural areas and integrating it into school and youth programs.

The workshop also identified three key priorities to focus on for the future of First Aid in Morocco for 2027:

1. Education in First Aid: Expanding FA training programs, especially in schools, universities, and communities.
2. Commercial First Aid: Developing partnerships to strengthen the commercial sector’s involvement in FA training and services.
3. Prehospital Care: Improving prehospital emergency care services to ensure timely interventions in emergencies.

Participants included MRC leadership, volunteers, trainers, regional directors, and external stakeholders such as the IFRC, German Red Cross and the French Red Cross. Their collective expertise ensured a multifaceted approach to addressing Morocco’s unique challenges.

The workshop is a pivotal step in establishing MRC as the leading provider of First Aid training in Morocco. By aligning its strategies with global standards, MRC is poised to increase public engagement, improve training quality, and build a culture of preparedness and resilience.

This initiative reflects the unwavering commitment to saving lives and strengthening communities, one First Aid action at a time.