Baghdad, May 12, 2020 — In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraq, the World Bank has recently approved the re-allocation of U$33.6 million under the current Emergency Operation for Development Project (EODP-US$750 million) to support the Ministry of Health’s efforts in preventing, detecting, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baghdad — The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the increase in cases of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Iraq, is of particular and great concern. 2,818 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 110 deaths had been reported in Iraq by 11 May 2020.

Baghdad, Iraq 11 May 2020: UNHCR welcomes the new contribution of USD 1.5 Million from the Government of Japan towards the response to COVID-19 for internally displaced persons, returnees and refugees in Iraq.

COVID-19 does not care who we are, where we live, what we believe or about any other distinction. We need every ounce of solidarity to tackle it together. Yet the pandemic continues to unleash a tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering.

The Secretary-General welcomes the formation of the new Government of Iraq led by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Baghdad, 07 May 2020 – Welcoming the confirmation by the Council of Representatives of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and a majority of his ministers, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, urges the complete formation of the Cabinet so that the new administration can swiftly move to address mounting security, social, political, economic and health challenges.

Baghdad, May 4, 2020 – Faced with a combination of acute shocks which the country is ill-prepared to manage, Iraq’s economic outlook has markedly worsened over the past 6 months. GDP growth is projected to contract by 9.7 percent in 2020, down from a positive growth of 4.4 percent in 2019, making it the country’s worst annual performance since 2003, according to a new World Bank report released today.

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day of the Midwife, 5 May 2020