EU Humanitarian Air Bridge delivers educational materials and personal protective equipment for UNICEF’s coronavirus response in Iraq

by **claud39** Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:57 pm

[size=36]EU Humanitarian Air Bridge delivers educational materials and personal protective equipment for UNICEF’s coronavirus response in Iraq[/size]

Monday, 27 July 2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 UNofficiallogosmall

Baghdad, 27 July 2020 – A European Union chartered air flight arrived in Baghdad yesterday carrying 27 tons of essential relief items for UNICEF.

The flight, which took off from the French city of Lyon in the morning and landed in Baghdad International Airport the same evening, transported educational kits for vulnerable children acquired with the support of the Governments of Germany and the Netherlands, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers with support from the Government of Japan.

“The EU set up a Humanitarian Air Bridge to Iraq to ensure that essential supplies reach vulnerable children and frontline health workers in these difficult times,” said Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. “The coronavirus pandemic is hitting the country hard, increasing vulnerability of those most at risk. The EU’s humanitarian air flights and additional funding are a tangible expression of EU solidarity with the people in Iraq in their hour of need.”

In addition, the EU has also released an additional 1 million to support UNICEF’s relief work for vulnerable people, bringing the EU’s total contribution to UNICEF Iraq this year to over 5.6 million Euros. These latest funds will be used to improve sanitation facilities and help maintain a clean environment through waste management, water quality monitoring and hygiene promotion for children and their families for an estimated 50,000 residents of internally displaced camps in the northern part of the country.

This is crucial amid the coronavirus outbreak and within the context of Iraq where only 39 % of the population has access to safe and clean water. In addition, the new funds will go towards protection services for children who are in contact with the law, including case management, issuance of identity documents, legal assistance and psychosocial support. Many vulnerable children, living both in camps and outside of camps, continue to need protection and assistance. Iraqi or non-Iraqi, thousands of children are victims of violence, abuse and exploitation.

“We are highly appreciative of the support that our EU partners are providing us so that we are able to keep children healthy and safe and help them get back to learning as quickly as possible. And at this time of critical need of supply of Personal Protective Equipment to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in Iraq, UNICEF appreciates the continuing partnership with the EU, through which we can share resources and quickly bring the supplies that are so badly needed into the country,” explained Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF Representative in Iraq.

###
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child; in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit https://www.unicef.org/iraq/
Media contacts:
Zeina Awad, Chief of Communication for Iraq
zawad@unicef.org +964 782 782 0238
Laila Ali, Communication Specialist
laali@unicef.org , +964 7511 844 086

https://www.uniraq.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12629:eu-humanitarian-air-bridge-delivers-educational-materials-and-personal-protective-equipment-for-unicef-s-coronavirus-response-in-iraq&Itemid=605&lang=en

by **claud39** Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:58 pm

[size=36]Protecting communities from COVID-19: Canada commits funds to tackle growing pandemic in Iraq[/size]

Monday, 27 July 2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 UNofficiallogosmall

Baghdad, 27 July 2020 –The Government of Canada has contributed US$1.85 million (CAD 2.5 million) to support the Government of Iraq’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq.

The funds will be directed toward two critical areas of work; $1.85 million will support UNDP Iraq’s immediate response to COVID-19, which supports 12 governorates, and includes increasing the testing capacity of laboratories, providing personal protective equipment to healthcare workers, increasing the number of isolation wards, and undertaking assessments to establish post-COVID-19 recovery strategies. An additional $75,000 will be used to provide local police engaged in Iraq’s COVID-19 response with personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, largely focusing on officers in Baghdad, which has seen the highest number of cases in the country.

“The emergence of COVID-19 has presented yet another challenge for Iraq – which is still reeling from the devastating effects of the ISIL conflict, and is now faced with an economic crisis due to the decline in oil prices. This generous contribution from Canada will ensure the health and safety of communities through access to improved health services and infrastructure, and protect those serving local communities in the line of duty,” says UNDP Iraq’s Resident Representative, Zena Ali Ahmad.

The funds have been repurposed from existing agreements under UNDP Iraq’s Funding Facility for Stabilization, and the Security Sector Reform/Rule of Law programmes. As one of UNDP Iraq’s key partners, Canada has provided approximately $27 million to the two programmes.

Media contact:
Fay Daoud: Tel: +964 780 1976 460; fay.daoud@undp.org

https://www.uniraq.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12626:protecting-communities-from-covid-19-canada-commits-funds-to-tackle-growing-pandemic-in-iraq&Itemid=605&lang=en

by **RamblerNash** Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:58 pm

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 1596199983976

Former reporter passed away for COVID-19

2020-07-31 05:53
[*]

Firas Al-Karbasi, a former reporter of Shafaq News agency passed away earlier today from the complications of COVID-19.

Al-Karbasy's family told Shafaq News agency that the Najafi journalist - born 1978 - perished today after a struggle with the virus that lasted for weeks.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, 12,1263 people have contracted the virus in Iraq, while 4,671 patient has passed away.

https://www.shafaaq.com/en/Iraq-News/Former-reporter-passed-away-for-COVID-19

by **claud39** Sat Aug 01, 2020 10:51 am

Almost stopped for commercial traffic on Eid al-Adha

08/01/2020

Economy News - Baghdad:

The commercial movement witnessed during the blessed Eid Al-Adha period, due to the economic crisis in the country in addition to the Corona pandemic that led to a comprehensive curfew in all of Iraq for fear of the spread of the virus, which began recording very large rates and reached more than 3,000 cases per day.

The Iraqi economy is going through a recession after the decline in gross domestic product for the current year by 21%, and the unemployment rate has increased to 30% due to the Corona pandemic.

Ali Hashem, owner of a loader in Al-Shorja, told Al-Eqtisad News that the commercial movement in the main markets in Iraq, represented by Al-Shorja, New Baghdad, and others, is almost stopped due to the imposition of curfews and the interruption of many businesses since Iraq registered Corona virus until now and the lack of government interference To save the Iraqi economy. "

He noted that the Iraqi government has handcuffed the economy with irrational measures, which include closing the economy for a long time and not pumping money to help the poor or the affected class.

He stressed that most of the merchants did not do the shopping because the commercial movement is basically weak in addition to being blackmailed by some employees at the border outlets to prevent the entry of goods only after paying bribes.

On the other hand, Karim Saadoun, the owner of a retail store, told "Al-Iqtisad News" that the general conditions of Iraq are very deteriorating, due to the absence of electricity and water and the non-payment of salaries at the time of time, making the citizen prefer saving and buying only the necessary needs for fear of the unknown future.

He added that he did not purchase large quantities of goods for fear of damaging them due to the absence of electricity for long hours and continuous interruption when present.

The authorities closed the parks and commercial centers during the Eid al-Adha period, fearing the spread of the Coruna virus.

On the other hand, the economic researcher, Ammar Al-Rubaie, said in his interview with "Al-Iqtisad News", that "Iraq is witnessing a stifling financial crisis that shows the state's inability to pay the salaries of employees with the decline in oil sales and the closure of border points that negatively affected life as it caused an increase in poverty and unemployment rates." .

He added that the citizen is currently thinking of buying only the things that he considers very important to his life and steer clear of luxury goods.

The sacrificial market also witnessed a very large decline, despite the increase in supply due to the inability of families to buy sheep to slaughter an offering to God for their dead.

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=21233

by **claud39** Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:15 am

[size=32]The decision of the Parliamentary Crisis Cell, Jawad Al-Mousawi, calls on the Ministry of Health to provide the Coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible[/size]

08/03/2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 HeaderDesign

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 HeaderDesign

ç
Deputy Jawad al-Moussawi, a member of the Health and Environment Committee and the decision of the Parliamentary Crisis Cell, called on the Ministry of Health to inform him of the date of providing the Corona virus vaccine and provide it with all correspondence and official documents conducted by the government and the Ministry of Health with countries and international companies that have reached advanced stages in the process of producing a vaccine For the virus.

Moussawi also stressed the need for the Ministry of Health to ensure that there is a share for Iraq from this vaccine early, given the recent large increase in the number of people infected with the epidemic.

Al-Musawi, through an official address addressed to the Minister of Health and Environment, expressed his hopes that Iraq would not be one of the last countries to get the vaccine.

Parliament,
Information
Department 3/8/2020

https://ar.parliament.iq/2020/08/03/%d9%85%d9%82%d8%b1%d8%b1-%d8%ae%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%b2%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%ac%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%88%d8%b3%d9%88-2/

by **claud39** Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:28 am

The tourism sector incurs more than 20 million dollars in losses due to the Corona pandemic

07/08/2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 10000

The Economy News - Karbala

Owners of hotels and restaurants in Karbala criticized the local government’s decision to close the province until the thirteenth of Muharram for fear of the spread of the Corona virus, while in the Kurdistan region, the tourism sector incurred losses of more than $ 20 million.

Many hotels and restaurants were forced to end the services of workers and reduce the salaries of those who are still working due to the financial crisis that hit them due to the Corona pandemic.

Muhammad Karim, the owner of a restaurant in Karbala, told Al-Eqtisad News that “all owners of hotels and restaurants were affected by the random decisions taken by the local government that caused the closure of hotels and restaurants.” He pointed out that the Kurdistan region is still continuing tourism while Karbala does not Take care of that.

On the other hand, Ali Al-Rubaie, the owner of a hotel in Karbala, said that our losses started since the outbreak of the demonstrations until now, stressing that the closure of hotels by the local government is not a wise decision.

Meanwhile, the Association of Hotels in the Holy Governorate of Karbala called for the city to be opened in conjunction with the imminent commemoration of the anniversary of the testimony of Imam Hussain bin Ali.

The head of the association, Muhammad Al-Hir, said that religious tourism is going through tragic conditions in Iraq, and more than 15,000 workers in Karbala have been affected except for the gainers who work in food and service stores, noting that the Association of Hotels held a meeting demanding the opening of the city with an urge to adhere to the conditions Health care, as is the local city of Kadhimiya, Kurdistan, Cairo, Beirut, and Turkey internationally.

In the Kurdistan region, the tourism expert, Luqman Khusraw, said that the decision to close roads in the Kurdistan region has led to losses of more than $ 20 million for hotels and restaurants in the region, noting that restaurants and hotels are threatened with bankruptcy, especially after layoffs.

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=21312

by **claud39** Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:42 pm

Iraq is among the 20 countries that have applied for the Russian vaccine

08/12/2020

Economy News _ Baghdad

A member of the Crisis Cell in Parliament, Nehru Muhammad, revealed, on Wednesday, that Iraq is among the 20 countries that have applied for the "Corona" vaccine from Russia, while the Ministry of Health has identified the top slots on the priority list.

In a statement to Al-Sabah newspaper, which was seen by Al-Eqtisad News, Muhammad said, “Iraq had previously applied for a vaccine to prevent infection with the Coronavirus during the previous stage,” noting that “the Russian authorities stated that this vaccine will arrive in Iraq soon.” .

And he indicated, "The priority in giving this vaccine will be to critical cases, and then determines the categories that can be provided with the vaccine."

Russian President Vladimir Putin was; Yesterday, Tuesday, he announced the approval of the production of the first effective vaccine against the emerging corona virus in the world, and instructed the Minister of Health in his country to start "immediately" its production for distribution in Russia and in the countries that reserved to buy it.

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=21393

by **claud39** Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:24 am

Davos Forum postponed to summer 2021 due to Corona

08/26/2020

Economy News - Baghdad

The World Economic Forum’s management announced in a statement that the Davos Summit 2021, scheduled to be held mainly in the winter, in the Swiss resort, has been postponed to “early next summer,” due to the lack of appropriate conditions to organize it “safely” in January in light of the outbreak of the new Corona virus .

"The World Economic Forum decided this afternoon (Wednesday) to reschedule the annual meeting for 2021 at the beginning of next summer," a spokesman for the organization said in a statement, adding that the decision was taken after experts saw that it was not possible to hold the summit "safely in January. " .

"The decision was not easy, as there is an urgent need to gather world leaders" in order to plan for "relaunching (the economy) after Covid 19, " the French Press Agency quoted the spokesman as saying .

Although the organization avoided giving a specific date for the 2021 Forum, it hinted that the forum could not be held in Davos, as the statement stated, "You will receive details about the dates and location of our annual forum after rescheduling it as soon as the conditions are in place to ensure the health and safety of all participants and those who host them ."

The management of the World Economic Forum said in early June that it would like to keep the famous annual forum in the small town in the Swiss Alps, but "in an unprecedented way" that includes "conversations taking place in person and virtually ."

In addition to the summit, which has been postponed to the summer, the forum’s management plans to organize “virtual dialogues at a high level during which world leaders can share their views on the world in 2021” and that “during the week beginning January 25. ”

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=21621

by **claud39** Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:11 pm

Health: Iraq has become a member of the International Vaccine Alliance and is one of the first importers of any approved vaccine

27/08/2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 %D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A9-696x435

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 %D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A9-696x435

Information / Special ...

The Ministry of Health confirmed, on Thursday, that Iraq has become part of and a member of the International Vaccine Alliance, indicating that if any vaccine is approved, Iraq will be one of the first countries to import it.

Health spokesman Saif Al-Badr said to "the information" that "despite the many experiments launched on the Corona vaccine, no vaccine has yet been officially approved by the World Health Organization."

He added, "The news that Iraq has concluded an agreement with Russia to import the Corona vaccine for 20% from Iraq are incorrect," noting that " Iraq has opened talks with many countries that have shown experiences and no longer an agreement pending the approval of a vaccine by the World Health Organization."

He said Al - Bader said , " has been held numerous meetings via closed - circuit television with the Russian side about the vaccine experiments conducted around and will be Iraq , one of the first importers him if adopted," pointing out that " Iraq has become a part and a member of the International Alliance for Vaccines and could be one of the first countries importing In the event that any vaccine is approved. ”

25 and ended

https://www.almaalomah.com/2020/08/27/492044/

by **claud39** Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:24 pm

[size=36]The Ministries of Planning, Health, and UNFPA begin the Rapid Assessment of COVID-19 impact on reproductive health services in Iraq[/size]

Thursday, 10 September 2020

To - COVID-19 Information - Page 5 E785f224d729e38e17b33d5a16df1ff2_L

10 September 2020; Baghdad, Iraq - The Ministry of Planning and Health in the Federal Government and Kurdistan Regional Government, with the support of UNFPA, began on, 9 September a Rapid Assessment on the impact of COVID-19 on the reproductive health services in Iraq.

The Assessment covers 107 health centres at primary level and ten hospitals at secondary and tertiary levels in Baghdad, Basrah, Erbil, Najaf and Salahuddin governorates and is conducted by 27 physicians and 16 statisticians trained on data collection.

The two-week assessment is conducted under the supervision of the Heads of the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) and the Kurdistan Region Statistics Office (KRSO), and the Directors General of the Public Health Departments in the Ministry of Health at the Federal and Regional levels as well as field experts, with the technical and financial assistance from UNFPA.

The Head of CSO, Dr Dhia Awad Khadum, commented on the project saying: “This assessment is vital for the Ministry of Planning and CSO to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on the reproductive health services and the health workers in the field. The assessment will also give the Ministries involved a holistic picture of the needs to ensure the continuity of high-quality services and their continuity.

The Head of KRSO, Mr Serwan Mohammed, emphasised that” the assessment aims at identifying the gaps in the services provided, which were exacerbated because of COVID-19. The results will guide the response to strengthen the technical capacity of sexual reproductive health service providers and enhance the quality of the services”.

For her part, UNFPA Representative to Iraq, Dr Rita Columbia, reiterated the Fund’s commitment to improving access and quality of the reproductive health services offered to women and girls across the country.

“As health systems across the globe struggle to cope with the COVID-19 response, reproductive health services risk being sidelined. UNFPA will continue to work with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure that this would not be the case in Iraq; UNFPA will continue to provide financial and technical assistance to experts to improve the reproductive health system across the country,” she insisted.

*******
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Ms Salwa Moussa, Communications Specialist, smoussa@unfpa.org.

https://www.uniraq.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12832:the-ministries-of-planning-health-and-unfpa-begin-the-rapid-assessment-of-covid-19-impact-on-reproductive-health-services-in-iraq&Itemid=605&lang=en