Shield and Alert: Maghreb Bound

Two years after Morocco’s 2023 earthquake, thousands of families in the High Atlas Mountains are still living in temporary shelters as rebuilding moves slowly, despite major humanitarian efforts and cash aid programs.

A nationwide banking strike in Tunisia has halted operations across major institutions as employees protest falling living standards and demand wage hikes

The recent detention and subsequent release of author and publisher Salima Melizi have unsettled Algeria’s literary community, bringing to light the continued pressures facing writers and intellectuals. The case, which did not begin with mainstream media coverage but instead spread through social networks and private discussion, has fueled debate over censorship, freedom of expression, and the increasing sense of caution within Algeria’s cultural scene.

Repeated drought and water shortages continue to strain Morocco’s agriculture sector, raising urgent concerns about food security. Despite recent investments in large dams, groundwater development, and desalination, below-average rainfall and shrinking storage reservoirs are disrupting both urban and rural water supplies. Farmers and rural communities are particularly vulnerable as planning for the 2025-26 season remains clouded by uncertainty over much-needed rain.