Will the Children Be Forgotten?
Report: 15 to 23 April 2021
Various organizations have voiced their concern about the situation of children in the Middle East and especially in Syria, due to increase in child labor inflicted by poverty. Photo credit: https://borgenproject.org/
As tensions heat up in Eastern Ukraine and the Pacific Ocean, attention seems to be shifting elsewhere away from the ME. For the moment, security risks and challenges seem to be occupying the minds of top decision makers, instead of working to end wars, abolish poverty, and save the children in the Middle East; with the deteriorating socioeconomic conditions inflicted by covid-19 and economic pressures, today’s generation is becoming increasingly vulnerable and at risk of joining radical entities.
1- The socio-economic situation
Egypt
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-200,739 corona confirmed cases
-153,630 recovered
-11,914 deaths
Odile Renaud-Basso: “very much looking forward to meeting our partners & friends today & tomorrow.” Apr 21, 2021, Egypt Today.
To demonstrate the prowess of the Egyptian economy, the IMF has released a report that Egypt is the second largest economy in the Arab region in 2020 with a total amount of $361.8 billion, following Saudi Arabia. This means that the Egyptian economy has outperformed several oil-producing economies, such as those of the UAE, Iraq, and Qatar, despite the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To top that, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso visited Egypt on the 22nd of April, to discuss massive projects that will allow the country to transition into a Green Economy. It seems that the EBRD and the Egyptian government are in a hurry to implement such a transition, due to Egypt’s favorable alignment with the EBRD strategy.
Jordan
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-597,256 corona confirmed cases
-494,417 recovered
-6,651 deaths
Jordan’s economy is in peril as the IMF tries to salvage it, Washington Post.
After the end of the dramatic events in Jordan, Finance Minister Mohamad Al Ississ stated that Jordan will accelerate the pace of IMF-backed structural reforms to boost a growth-driven recovery. The International Monetary Fund had reached an agreement with Jordan to expand the country’s financial access by $200 million under an existing program of structural reforms after a review found that Jordan was “firmly on track”. Both the government and IMF see the economy recovering to more than 2% growth and even higher if there are no extended lockdowns. Only time will tell what the IMF and the Jordanian government will achieve.
Iraq
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-838,265 corona confirmed cases
-750,435 recovered
-14,249 deaths
Iraq has been caught in a web of tensions between Iran, the Gulf region and the US. April 19, 2021, Reuters.
Fitch Ratings modified the Outlook on Iraq's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Stable from Negative and affirmed the IDR at 'B-'.This spells good news for Iraq during Iranian, Saudi, and Qatari initiatives to invest in Iraq. For the time being, the countries seem only keen on increasing cooperation with Iraq without risking friction with other competitors. Now that several projects worth billions of dollars are under way, Iraq is seeking to modernize its financial sector to meet the demands of an increasingly digitalized economy. As such, it signed an agreement with Mastercard to reduce the use of cash and promote digital payments in the country. Moreover, this will boost financial inclusion, encourage social-economic development and decrease the risks of a shadow economy.
Lebanon
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-462,339 corona confirmed cases
-366,639 recovered
-6,136 deaths
An opponent of Judge Ghada Aoun grabs the weapon of a soldier, after he hit the protester with it, during a sit-in outside the Justice Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 19, 2021, AP.
As Lebanon celebrates Ramadan, there is no relief during this holy holiday. Food prices continue to increase while the simplist forms of medications are disapearing. Several experts have warned that during the end of May, foreign reserves will be close to an end, which will inflict a major spike in prices. At the present moment, a dramatic scene is unfolding as an investigation, headed by General Prosecutor Ghada Aoun, is proceeding over the illegal transfer of US dollars to outside of Lebanon. Whether or not it is a stunt to sway public opinion to the political party supporting the judge, the move raised eyebrows and surely caught the attention of the instigators of organized crime. Nevertheless, the move falls in uncertainty as each passing month brings further crippling socioeconomic woes.
Palestine
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-238,248 corona confirmed cases
-211,521 recovered
-2,599 deaths
All estimations indicate that we will emerge from the state of economic deflation to the state of economic recovery,” Xinhua news agency quoted the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye, in an address to the nation, claimed that the economy is set to improve with the continued drop in new corona infections. Such a statement came after, the Palestinian authority agreed to purchase 500,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik vaccine and 4 million doses of the US Pfizer vaccine “with the aim of ensuring access to herd immunity”. As such, the PA is set to revive the economy in a country which suffered from several business closures due to the pandemic. With the normalization of the relationship between Israel and Gulf states, Palestine is sure to recover faster as more aid and investments will come their way.
Syria
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-18,638 corona confirmed cases
-12,492recovered
-1,247 deaths
Hunger in Pictures. Photo credit: syriahr.com.
In addition to the socioeconomic conditions, the wide spread of poverty and hunger, flocks of locusts reached Syria, threatening its crop production. Nevertheless, the Syrian Agriculture Ministry said that the locusts that recently arrived in Syria are few, noting that it had taken all necessary measures to prevent their spread to other areas. Despite whether this is true or not, this brings about bad memories of hunger the region faced a century ago with the 1915 Ottoman Syria locust infestation. On the food security front, this might add incremental difficulties to a population that is standing in long lines at bakeries.
Meanwhile, the Syrian currency continues to plummet. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad dismissed Central Bank Governor Hazem Qarfoul a day before the Syrian pound was officially devalued for the second time in a year after sinking to record lows on the black market. This spells greater socioeconomic pressure in line with mounting prices and poverty. Therefore, nobody knows when international media will be swarmed by news items of people dying of hunger.
It is not all bad news in Syria, as the government did succeed in drawing some achievements. During the month, Syrian government inaugurated the first project in one of the country's designated real estate development areas after years of struggling to attract serious investment. Moreover, the Jaber-Naseeb border crossing with Syria, which links the country to Jordan, is now open to the movement of trucks and travelers, after years of unstable security situation. As for the banking sector, the Central Bank of Syria introduced a new exchange rate for importers, merchants, and manufacturers in a bid to narrow the gap between the official and black market rates after the local currency sank to record lows against the US dollar. Such positive developments may add some incremental help to Syria’s economy. Yet, the country still needs lots of it.
Cyprus
Corona cases, deaths and recovered are distributed as follows:
-44,991 corona confirmed cases
-2,057 recovered
-254 deaths
Cyprus is set to improve its economy, but vaccine rollout is key. Photo credit: xinhuanet.com/.
Cyprus’s economy continued to improve during the second part of the month as vaccine role out proceeds. According to a report by the University of Cyprus Economic Research Centre, the economy has solid ground on which to recover, provided that people are getting vaccinated. The report continued by stating that the comprehensive vaccination campaign and the partial but ongoing loosening of any lockdown measures has contributed to an improvement in the Cypriot economy during March.
In addition to the good news the report conveyed, International Investors made offers totaling 1.15 billion euros (1.38 billion U.S. dollars) for a Bank of Cyprus (BOC) Tier 2 Bond, as mentioned by government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos . According to him, this shows satisfaction for what he called a vote of confidence in Cyprus' economy.
2- The refugee situation
Egypt
To economically empower women, WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MOSS) and nongovernmental organizations provided 750 women with micro-loans for the launch or expansion of income generating activities with a total value of USD 260,600 (EGP 4.1 million) in 10 governorates.
Together with the Ministry of Education (MOE), WFP assisted about 33,500 vulnerable families of community school children across 7 governorates with cash assistance redeemable at local retail shops.[1]
Jordan
The UNHCR states that there are currently 665,404 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan up until the beginning of April.
The proportion of Syrian displaced people registered within the UNHCR for April, are distributed as follows:
-195,948 in Amman Governorate (29.5 %)
-165,415 in Mafraq Governorate (24.9%)
-136,498 in Irbid Governorate (20.5%)
-97,245 in Zarqa Governorate (14.6%)
-18,329 in Balqa Governorate (2.8%)
-13,121 in Madaba Governorate (2%)
-9,346 in Jarash Governorate (1.4%)
-8,544 in Karak Governorate (1.3%)
-8,366 in Maan Governorate (1.3%)
-6,524 in Ajlun Governorate (1.0%)
-3,726 in Aqaba Governorate (0.6%)
-1,694 in Tafilah Governorate (0.3%)
UNHCR Jordan published a report claiming that only 20% (81.7 M) has been funded by partners.[2]
The World UNICEF and Miyahuna launch the Climate Resilient Water Safety Plan in Madaba to boost children’s health, development and future well-being.[3]
Iraq
The UNHCR states that there are currently 244,760 registered Syrian refugees in Iraq.
The proportion of displaced Syrian people registered within the UNHCR up until the beginning of April, are distributed as follows:
-124,678 in Erbil (50.9%)
-84,057 in Dahuk (34.3%)
-32,059 in Sulaymaniyah (13.1%)
-1,311 in Anbar (0.5%)
-2,655 in other areas (1.0%)[4]
Iraq adopted a law to provide reparation to women and girls survivors of atrocities committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. [5]
The Government of Japan and UNOPS launched a new project to restore access to urgent primary health services in Anbar, Iraq. The project will directly benefit the public health system supporting more than 1.4 million individuals in Anbar governorate.[6]
Lebanon
Since the beginning of the year, the number of registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon is 855,172.
Refugees in Lebanon are distributed as follows:
-334,668 in Bekaa (39.1%)
-230,601 in North Lebanon (27%)
-197,410 in Beirut (23.1%)
-92,493 in South Lebanon (10.8%)[7]
United States Ambassador to Lebanon H.E. Ms. Dorothy C. Shea visited the UNRWA headquarters in Lebanon as an assurance that the agency will receive once again funding.[8]
UNFPA declared that it will be multiplying its efforts due to the increase in domestic violence and Gender Based-Violence (GBV) against women and girls in need. At the present moment it is helping 6,647 beneficiaries in which 39% are non-Lebanese.[9]
Syria
The European Union, the U.S. and dozens of other nations pledged $6.4 billion in aid Tuesday March 30, to help tackle war-ravaged Syria’s deepening humanitarian and economic crises and assist neighboring countries hosting refugees, coming up short of the $10 billion the U.N. had hoped for.[10]
13.4 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance with 5.88 million people in need of shelter support; a 4% increase from 2020.[11]
203,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, were delivered as a first batch to Syria. Simultaneously, a separate batch of 53,800 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines for the high-risk populations in northwest Syria was also shipped through WHO and UNICEF offices in Gaziantep.
Mercy Corps released a statement urging the UN renewal of UN Security Council resolution 2533 to ease the human suffering inflicted by COVID-19.[12]
Save the Children warned that refugees in displacement camps in North East Syria are being plunged into an even deeper critical situation as 46 COVID-19 cases have been reported across three camps. [13]
Cyprus
Unhcr’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs expressed concern over the wellbeing of 200 migrant children, half of whom unaccompanied, currently hosted at an overcrowded reception center in Pourana Cyprus. [14]
Cyprus recently declared that it has received additional asylum applications amounting to 19,660. [15]
Communication and Public Relations Department
[1] OCHA, Relief Web, April 22, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/egypt/wfp-egypt-country-brief-march-2021
[2] OCHA, Relief Web, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/03%20-%20Jordan%20Mar%202021%20Operational%20Update.pdf
[3] OCHA, Relief Web, April 21, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/jordan/unicef-and-miyahuna-launch-climate-resilient-water-safety-plan-madaba-enar
[4] https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/5
[5]OCHA, Relief Web, April 21, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/iraq-un-expert-welcomes-law-aid-isil-atrocity-survivors-more-needs-be-done-children-born
[6] OCHA, April 21, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/government-japan-and-unops-restore-access-urgent-healthcare-anbar-iraq
[7] https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/71
[8] OCHA, Relief Web, April 20, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/us-ambassador-lebanon-visits-unrwa-following-announcement-resumption-aid
[9] OCHA, Relief Web, April 19, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/unfpa-lebanon-gender-based-violence-factsheet-2021-q1
[10]AP News, March 30, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/europe-coronavirus-pandemic-migration-united-nations-civil-wars-f9f9f2f10dab7fe547a305d61eec12b8
[11] OCHA, Relief Web, April 20, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-hub-shelter-sector-quarter-1-2021
[12]OCHA, Relief Web, April 24, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/mercy-corps-urges-un-renew-lifeline-syrians
[13] OCHA, Relief Web, April 15, 2021, https://reliefweb.int/updates?advanced-search=%28PC226%29&page=1
[14] Cyprus Mail, April 22, 2021, https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/04/22/un-refugee-agency-concerned-for-migrant-kids-at-pournara/
[15] The National Herald, April 2, 2021, https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_general_news_cyprus/arthro/cyprus_refugee_asylum_backlog_continues_some_19_660_pending-2117401/