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Almost 2,000 children under-10 across the country have been infected in just two weeks.

A rising number of infants and children in Iraq are reported to have been infected by COVID-19 without access to care, as the variant that was first discovered in the UK is wreaking havoc in the country, with reports of children dying[1], Save the Children warned today.

According to Iraqs Ministry of Health, thousands of cases have been recorded among children since the discovery of the variant in Iraq was officially announced on 15 February[2]. The number of children under 10 who were diagnosed jumped from 11,699 cases as of 11 March to 13,546 cases on 24 March, an increase of 15.7% in just two weeks.[3]

Although there is no definitive answer yet, scientists earlier suggested that the new variant is transmitting across all ages, including children.[4]Earlier in February, the ministry said the variant accounts for 50% of all new COVID-19 cases.[5]

Doctors have told Save the Children that they have seen an increase in children being hospitalised with COVID-19. But they fear its only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases are not taken to hospitals or are only diagnosed in clinics and pharmacies, where they are not officially recorded.

Dr. Taha Abdulmawjoud from Ninawa, who works with Save the Children, said:

We have seen children as young as 10 admitted to hospital and there is a higher percentage of children with the virus in primary health care centres and paediatric hospitals than before. We worry that many children will catch the virus without having access to proper testing or isolation, which risks them spreading among their friends and older family members.

The Ministry of Health said the virus is spreading quickly across villages and cities. In some instances, it has infected whole families. The infection rate has jumped by 110% over the last two weeks of February compared to the first half of the month[6].

Overcrowded schools are also likely to lead to a high risk of infections among children, Save the Children warned.

"We fear this new variant, particularly for first-grade students, *said Saleh*, a father of three from Jalawla, northeast of Baghdad. The communities around us are not very careful. We know the new variant can infect children. We have heard of serious infections of children."*

Save the Children is calling for urgent support to step up access to protective equipment, provide disinfection and sanitation kits to schools and enforce social distancing and mask-wearing rules.

Ishtiaq Mannan, Save the Childrens country director in Iraq, said:

These are worrying signs that COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll on children in Iraq. Infants and children under 10 have been either infected or have reportedly died because of this virus.

We are worried that the new variant will start spreading undetected among children. It could be a matter of time before Iraqs healthcare system is overwhelmed.

Save the Children calls on the Iraqi Ministry of Health to prioritise vaccinating frontline health workers and other priority groups, followed by teachers among others, as well as those who are in direct contact with children.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in Iraq, Save the Children has been raising awareness in communities, schools and among children on the virus and ways of prevention, running awareness-raising sessions on social distance and the importance of wearing masks. The organisation is also continuously providing hygiene kits and personal protective equipment to schools' staff and to health workers around the five governorates it operates within Iraq.

*name changed to protect childrens identities

For more information or interview requests, kindly reach out to:

[1] https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/Children-die-of-Covid-19-in-Iraq-Health-...

[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-iraq-idUSKBN2AG1WT

[3] WHO data analysed by Save the Children https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNjljMDhiYmItZTlhMS00MDlhLTg3MjItM...

[4] https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-variant-children/u...

[5] https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/180220211

[6] Bi-weekly confirmed cases jumped from 23,232 between 1-14 February to 48,839 between 15-28 February according to official figures: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNjljMDhiYmItZTlhMS00MDlhLTg3MjItM...

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COVID-19 in Iraq: Hundreds of infants and children infected every day as new variant spreads - Iraq - ReliefWeb

Ali Allawi,Iraqs finance minister, hasindicated that his government will seek to diversify its economy by maximizing revenue streams from non-oil sources. At present, Iraq relies on oil for a staggering 96% of its annual budget, which has left it somewhat vulnerable in the wake of plummeting prices and the fallout from the pandemic. The move is part of a wider plan to reform the countrys bloated public sector and push for greater vibrancy in its privately-owned interests.

However, that latter objective has been greatly compromised by entrenched corruption among the political elite, often at a staggering scale. Since 2003,$450 billion in public funds have been embezzled by various government ministries and leading personnel through a variety of creative schemes. The victim of this is not only the Iraqi public but foreign companies as well and it seems things arent going to change any time soon.

In fact, a recent ruling by the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), an arbitration body of the World Bank, effectively endorsed that unsustainable state of play by finding in favor of the Iraqi government in a dispute between domestic telecoms operator Korek and Kuwaiti logistics company Agility. Agility, who had its claims of improper appropriation of $380 million summarily dismissed, was also ordered to pay more than $5 million in legal costs, despite significant evidence against Korek and Iraqs National Communications and Media Commission (CMC). The verdict, which has been deemed unjust and arbitrary by observers, will only send a message to private investors that Iraq is not a place where commercial rights will be upheld.

Easing the pressure on the public sector

While weaning itself off of its unhealthy dependence on oil is a key priority for Iraq, there are perhaps even more pressing issues which must be addressed. Chief among those is the distended nature of its public sector, which accounts foran estimated 60%of all employment opportunities in the country, swallowingaround 25%of GDP in the process. The problems with this setup are twofold. On the one hand, the livelihoods of over half of all adult Iraqis are tethered to the tumultuous fortunes of the government, meaning they could be subject to delay or non-payment in fallow times such as last year. On the other hand, it all but demands an almost obsequious obedience to the regime, since external jobs are few and far between.

To its credit, Baghdad does seem to be aware of these problems, having published a white paper in 2020 outlining its aims to transition to a more market-based economy. Unfortunately, the document itself was very light in the way of concrete details or plans, while the looming prospect ofan imminent election means those in power are unlikely to risk alienating the electorate by trimming the flab and leaving countless Iraqis unemployed in the process. Nonetheless, there have been some promising signs in the shape of a partnership with Germany, which hasalready resultedin the creation of 1,000 jobs and the supported education, training, and placement of 8,000 young people.

No steps forward, two steps back

Its clear that internal reforms must be accompanied by external assistance if the Iraqi economy is to succeed in its aims. Sadly, the attractiveness of Iraq to outside investment was dealt a hammer blow in February. Chaired by Cavinder Bull and comprised of members John Beechey and Sean Murphy, the ICSID tribunalrejected the claims of Agility in its dealings with Iraqi telecoms firm Korek. Agility had originallyfiled its claimwith ICSID four years ago, alleging that the Iraqi governments CMC had indirectly confiscated its $380 million investment and had acted in contravention of the bilateral protocol between Kuwait and Iraq, which was instituted in 2015.

However, the tribunal dismissed Agilitys claim on technicalities, arguing that the CMC decision predated the protocol and that Agility had not exhausted all avenues of challenging that outcome in Iraq itself. For its part, Agilitycalled the ruling fundamentally flawed, with ICSID having failed to investigate evidence of corruption at the highest level of the CMC, despite significant global press coverage of the issue by outlets like the Financial Times.

As such, the verdict hardly sends out a positive message to the international investment community. Indeed, it merely serves to discourage other actors from pouring funds into a country where their own interests and rights are clearly not valued, as well as implicitly endorsing the endemic corruption that exists almost ubiquitously in Iraq.

Rotten to the core

Its this latter implication which is perhaps the most worrying outcome of the ICSID decision. Its well known that the government not only abuses the unwieldy size of its public sector through the fabrication of a reported 300,000 ghost jobs but also has deep ties to militia groups such as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which siphons off millions of taxpayers money each and every year. This inhospitable climate is not only unwelcoming to foreign investors but also drives hardworking Iraqis to seek a more equitable employment environment elsewhere. Its no surprise that corruption was cited as one of the chief reasons why refugees left Iraq for Europe in 2016.

Its exactly this type of corruption that institutions like the World Bank are supposed to combat. By providing the support that developing countries need to elevate themselves out of economic misery, stamp out illegal practices and implement effective policies, these ostensibly philanthropic organizations are touted as beacons of hope and help in a world in desperate need of both. However, the negligence and injustice of the recent ICSID ruling underlines how the opposite can actually often be the case. Rather than helping Iraq reform, it has only contributed to the entrenchment of an iniquitous status quo that will only serve to keep the country and its populace rooted in poverty and inequality.

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ICSID Ruling Sets Retrogressive Precedent for Overseas Investment in Iraq - International Policy Digest

WASHINGTON--The United States has renewed a waiver allowing Iraq to pay for electricity imported from Iran, this time giving Baghdad 120 days to reduce its energy dependence on neighbouring Tehran, a State Department spokesman said on Wednesday.

The waiver was renewed despite American sanctions imposed after former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers and Iran began breaching the deals terms.

Washington has issued regular waivers to Iraq since it reimposed sanctions, but last year shortened their length to encourage Iraq to reduce its use of Iranian energy.

Wednesdays 120-day extension was the first under President Joe Biden, who has sought to restart diplomacy with Iran over returning to the nuclear deal.

The waiver ensures that Iraq is able to meet its short-term energy needs while it takes steps to reduce its dependence on Iranian energy imports, the spokesman said.

However, such steps are taking time. Three years ago the Baghdad governments Mass Energy Group Holding was negotiating a deal with GE Power to add up to 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity to the Besmaya power plant not far from the capital. This will bring the capacity of what is already the countrys largest power station up to 4.5GW, enough to supply four and a half million homes.

Link:
Washington grants Iraq a waiver to pay for Iranian electricity | | AW - The Arab Weekly

By Khalid Al-Ansary on 3/28/2021

The deal would cover oil, gas and renewable energy infrastructure projects.

(Bloomberg) --Iraq is discussing a giant agreement with French oil giant Total SE to build large infrastructure installations, develop oil fields and produce gas, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar told Asharq News in an interview that aired on Saturday.

The minister said he expected the contract to be finalized before July. The relationship with Total will be based on targeting low-carbon industry and capturing all flaring gas, and is set to produce 1GW of solar energy in the first stage. A specialized team from the oil ministry is leading these discussions with Total.

The agreement is giant, and the volume of the investment exceeds $7 billion, the minister said.

Abdul Jabbar said conditions, including the political and administrative decisions for the economic model that protects the rights of both parties, had been hammered out already.

In January, Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding with Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne on capturing natural gas, clean energy and infrastructure. Talks between Iraq and Total were first reported in October.

Iraq this year is also expected to ink a deal to build an oil export pipeline from the southern province of Basra to Jordans Aqba port on the Red Sea. A framework agreement may be signed before mid-April, Abdul Jabbar said.

The minister said Iraq will lower its gasoline and gasoil imports by 50% in 2021 and by 90% in 2022. Iraq will need a very limited volume of gasoil imports to support power generation, he said.

Iraqs current gas output stands at 1.5b scf/d and will reach 4b scf/d in 2025. The country in 2010 built gas-fired turbines to generate 20GW, and those plants need 5b scf/d of gas.

Iraq now buys gas from Iran and is trying to diversify imports from Qatar, Kazakhstan and other producers, Abdul Jabbar said.

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Iraq and Total mull $7 billion oil and gas infrastructure deal - WorldOil - WorldOil

Challenges and Priorities for Persons with Disabilities in Iraq Outlined in New IOM Report

Baghdad Persons with disabilities have enormous potential to contribute to economies and societies, and can bring determination, innovation, and energy, among other qualities, to their workplaces and communities. In Iraq however, people with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by armed conflict and economic hardship and continue to face significant barriers to their full and equal inclusion. Moreover, despite Iraq having one of the largest populations of persons with disabilities in the world, there has been little consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative groups by government and humanitarian and development agencies.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has prepared a new report, Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in Iraq: Barriers, challenges and priorities, to shed light on the perspectives of persons with disabilities in Iraq. The report draws upon interviews conducted with 81 representatives of 53 Organizations of persons with disabilities across 18 governorates and identifies concrete actions that stakeholders such as the Government of Iraq, United Nations agencies, national and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) must take to address the barriers experienced by persons with disabilities, including responses to the key challenges and priorities of their representative organisations.

We are glad that persons with disabilities from different regions of Iraq contributed to this report, which clearly recognizes the international slogan 'Nothing about us without us. We look forward to having the findings of this report considered by decision-makers, the government of Iraq, donors, international organization, civil society, lawmakers in order to empower and better include persons with disabilities. Said Mwafaq Al-Khafaji Head of Iraqi Alliance Of Disability (IADO).

This report and the consultations that informed it aim to improve our understanding of the barriers experienced by persons with disabilities, including the key challenges and priorities of their representative organizations, in order to inform our programming, said IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Gerard Waite. It centres their unique perspectives, since there is no one better qualified to provide information on the barriers they experience than persons with disabilities themselves and the organizations that represent them.

IOM Iraq has also launched a Directory: Organization of persons with disabilities (OPD) in Iraq which lists the contact details of representative organisations of persons with disabilities across 18 governorates.

We all have a role to play in promoting a rights-based approach in the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance. This will ensure that people with disabilities can participate in decision-making processes that affect them and they can benefit on an equal basis with others said Australian Ambassador, Ms Paula Ganly. Importantly, this report gives voice to people with disabilities and their representative organisations in Iraq and is an important step towards our commitment to the 2030 agenda to leave no-one behind.

Globally, IOM is committed to reducing and addressing barriers facing people with disabilities. In December 2019, IOM Iraq launched the IOM Iraq Disability Inclusion Strategy 20192021, which proposed recommendations for mapping and collaborating with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities; working towards making IOM community centres accessible; and developing contextualised guidance for staff to implement disability inclusive programming.

The report was funded by funded by the Government of Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the project Supporting Social Cohesion through Reintegration, Revitalization and Stabilization Support in Iraq.

Watch this video that shares a selection of the persons with disabilities feedback.

For more information, please contact IOM Iraqs Public Information Unit, Tel: +964 751 402 2811, Email: iraqpublicinfo@iom.int

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Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in Iraq: Barriers, challenges and priorities [EN/AR] - Iraq - ReliefWeb