Algeria

• Government Information

  • The president of the Republic heads a supplementary meeting on COVID-19 in Algeria | 19 March | Algeria Press Service | Algeria

  • Facilitating Donations: Prime Minister Provides Directions to Members of the Cabinet and Governors | 05 April | Office of the Prime Minister Algeria

• News Article 

  • Pensioners will Be able to Use relatives to Receive Pension Benefits on their Behalf | 21 March | Echourk News

  • In an instruction from the Ministry of Commerce to its directorates, aid convoys for shadow areas across all states | 08 April | Echourk News

  • Financial Assistance to those Affected by Corona | 14 April | Al Araby Al Jadeed

  • Extending Deadlines for Paying Social Security Contributions until the End of May for workers and until September for self-employed workers | 15 April | Al-Jaza'er Al'an

  • Algeria sends Aid to Sahrawi Refugees | 02 May | el-Massa

  • Administrative Districts of the Capital Distribute Assistances to Poor Families Affected by COVID19 | 03 May | AlJaza'er News

  • Commencment of the Distribution of 20,000 Food Basekt in Bejaia Stat | 04 May | El-Massa

  • Distribution of 3,000 Food Basekts in Anaba Province | 05 May | El-Massa

  • Distribution of Danger Allowance to Health Workers | 06 May | el-Massa

  • The State will Provide Temporary Assistance to Taxi Driver Affected by COVID19 Lockdown | 06 May | Elaures News

  • Distribution of 3500 Food Basket through the Scouts in Boumerdès Province | 08 May | Echchaab News

  • Algerian President Announces Support to Wages | 09 May | Echorouk News

  • Algeria increases Pensions for 3 Million Workers Despite Economic Pressures | 09 May | AlShark AlAwsat
     

Djibouti

• News Article 

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Continues to Provide Food Vouchers to the Needy | 04 April | AlQarn News

  • Mesures entreprises par Djibouti pour Lutter contre le Covid-19 afin d’atténuer les Effets néfastes sur l’économie et le marché du travail | 29 May | International Labour Organization

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Launches Biometric Registration and Social Assistance Process for Refugees in Urban Areas  | 24 August | Al-Qarn
     

Egypt

• Blog

  • Coronavirus Exposes the Extreme Disparity between Rich and Poor in Egypt | 08 April | London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Social Protection And Older People In Egypt During The COVID-19 Pandemic | 02 June | Corona Older

• Government Information

  • "Minister of Manpower: 130,000 informal worker registered their data in order to support them during COVID-19 Outbreak" | 24 March | Ministry of Manpower Egypt

• News Article

  • Ministry of Manpower will provide a 500 Egyptian Pounds (Approx. 31 USD) one-time assistance to 300,000 registered irregular workers in Egypt to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on their unemployment | March 19 | Masrwawy News

  • Social Measures to Protect Egyptians in the Face of COVID-19 | 29 March | AlWatan News

  • The Government Establishes a Website to Communicate with Irregular Workers Who were Affected by COVID-19 | 01 April | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Governor of Sharkia Governorate: Distribution of 18,000 Food Box in Cooperation with the Egyptian Food Bank | 03 April | Dalel Masr News

  • The Egyptian FoodBank Distributes 32,000 Food Box to Families in Kafr ElShikh Governorate | 05 April | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Distribution of assistance to the need who were impacted by COVID 19 in the Governorates | 09 April | Sada ElBalad News

  • Egypt Continues to Disburse April 2020 Pensions According to Schedule | 12 April | Sada ElBalad News

  • Egyptian Government Announce the Mechanisms for Disburing Cash Assistance to Irregular Workers | 12 April | AlMostakbal News

  • 100,000 families were added to Takaful and Karama Cash Programme in Response to COVID-19 | 12 April | Al Youm ElSabi

  • Egyptian Food Bank Launches Electronic Platform for Individuals and NGOs to Register | 17 April | Al-Watan

  • Minister of Manpower: 2.5 million beneficaries of cash assistance for informal sector workers | 27 April | Al Shurooq 

  • Minister of Manpower: $3.6m in cash assistance for 48 thousand workers in the tourism sector | 27 April | Al Youm Al Sabe'

  • Ministery of Social Solidarity begins distributing the May cash allowance on Friday | 27 April | Masrawy

  • Under the Patronage of the Ministry of Social Solidarity: Egypt Al-Khair (Charity Organisation) Launches Largest In-Kind Assistance programme for Eligible Families | 02 May | Baladna Elyoum

  • The Egyptian Food Bank Targets 1.5 Million Families During Ramadan | 03 May | Amwal ElGhad News

  • Ministry of Local Development Delays Collection of Loan Installments for Small Projects and Takes Action to Fight Poverty | 05 May | Masrawy

  • NGO Masr ElKhair and the Ministry of Social Solidarity Launch the Second Phase of Food Assistance Envoy to Delta Governorates | 08 May | ElWatan News

  • Minister of Social Solidarity Stated that the Ministry Distributed 3.6 Million Food Baskets Since the Start of the COVID-19 Crises in Coordination with NGOs | 16 May | AlMal News

  • Finance min. says state budget for FY 2020/21 hit LE 2.2T | 18 June | EgyptToday

  • Sawiris Foundation partners with UNHCR to support vulnerable refugees amidst COVID-19 | 18 June | ReliefWeb, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

  • Egypt- MSMEDA provides EGP 2.3bn financing for infrastructure, community development under Al-Sisi | 21 June | The Middle East North Africa Financial Network

  • Egypt's mechanisms to combat poverty in 20/21's sustainable development plan | 09 July | Egypt Today 

  • Egypt Takes Proactive Approach to Limit the Pandemic’s Fallout | 09 July  | International Monetary Fund 

  • INTERVIEW: Egypt’s economic reforms strengthened the economy in the face of COVID-19, says IMF mission head | 10 July  | Ahram Online 

  • Egypt focuses on businesses, environment sustainability, SDGs to recover from Covid-19: Minister Al-Mashat | 12 July  | Ahram Online 

  • Harnessing reforms to boost Egypt's inclusive growth is a continuous process: Minister | 17 July | Egypt Today 

  • WFP launches a €15 million project in Egypt with the German development bank | 27 July | World Food Programme 

  • WFP launches new collaboration to support mothers and children in time of COVID-19 crisis in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity | 18 August | World Food Programme

  • £1.8 million Partnership to Support Social Protection Advocacy | 17 November | Government of United Kingdom 

• Op-Ed 

  • Al-Orman NGO: We are providing food items and cash assistance to 33,000 worker impacted by COVID-19 Stratng from Saturday | 23 March | AlMal News

  • Egypt after the Coronavirus: Back to Square One | 26 August | Arab Reform Initiative  
     

Iran

• Blog

  • Iran and the Economic Fallout of COVID-19 | 14 April | Middle East Institute 

• News Article 

  • US ready to block Iran's requests for coronavirus aid from the IMF, officials say | 09 April | CNN

  • Iran's Government Continuing Extensive Support for Startups, Tech Firms | 03 May | Financial Tribune

  • 64% in Tehran Need Government Aid | 04 May | Financial Tribune

  • 18,000 Employers Apply for Virus Bailout Assistance | 18 May | Financial Tribune

  • COVID-19 Inflicts Losses on Iran's Biggest Pension Fund | 30 May | Financial Tribune
     

Iraq

• Blog

  • Refugees deliver mental health services to locked down camps in Iraq | 08 July | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

• Brief 

  • UAC/alternative Care Guidance For The Covid-19 Situation | 01 April | Child Protection Sub-Cluster Iraq

• Government Information

  • The non-governmental organizations department of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers announces the outcome of the NGOs campaigns to assist social categories during the curfew | 04 April | Iraqi Cabinet

  • Covid-19: Iraq’s Higher Committee for Health and National Safety announces emergency grant to families impacted by curfew | 12 April | Government of Iraq

  • Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs 'Emergency Grant for the Unemployed in Iraq 2020' | Eligibility Criteria | Ahdath Ilyoum 

• News Article 

  • Endowments distribute in-kind and cash assistance in the northern Badia | 13 April 2020 | JefraNews

  • Minister of Planning Announces the Date for the Delivery of the Emergency Grant for Citizens | 30 April | Rudaw

  • Young returnees in Iraq benefit from vocational training | 28 May | United Nations Habitat

  • Minister of Social Development announces the implementation of an inclusive development plan in coordination with the world bank  | 04 June | Dunia Al-Watan

  • IOM Iraq provides Cash Assistance to Migrant Workers Affected by COVID-19 | 05 June | International Organisation of Migration

  • Children make up the majority of up to 4.5 million Iraqis at risk of falling into poverty and deprivation due to the impact of covid-19 | 08 July | United Nations Children's Fund 

  • UN, Ministries Discuss Cooperation on Enhancing the Social Protection System in Iraq | 20 August | United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq

  • Iraq Food Security at Risk in a Year of Mounting Disasters | 13 August | Future Directions International

• Op-Ed

  • Corona Virus and Social Protection Policies in Iraq | 09 April | Annabaa
     

Jordan

• Blog

  • Fast Access to Cash Provides Urgent Relief to those Hardest hit by COVID-19 | 9 April | United Nations Children´s Fund Office of Research - Innocenti

• Brief

  • Facing Double Crises: Rapid assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable workers in Jordan | 01 May | International Labour Organization

  • Socio-Economic Framework for COVID-19 Response for Jordan | August 2020 | United Nations Sustainable Development Group 

• Government Information

  • A statement issued by the Prime Minister pursuant to Defense Order No. 6 of 2020 | 31 May | Ministry of Labour

• Multimedia

  • Prime Minister Dr Omar Al-Razzaz meets with Minister of Social Development and Social Security Corporation's General Manager  | 13 May | JordanTV

  • Tadamon and Musaned Beneficiaries | 21 May | Social Security Corporation Facebook Page

• News Article 

  • The Government of Jordan activates Charity Bank Account for the benefit of poor households | 28 March | Roia News

  • Jordanian Army Distributes Food Packages to the Population During COVID-19 Curfew | 29 March | AlYoum AlSabi'

  • Discussions regarding creating a fund to support Jordan in facing COVID-19 Impacts | 30 March | Nabd News

  • UN WFP Continues to Support half a million Syrian Refugees in Jordan During COVID-19 | 04 April | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Minister of Planning Meet with INGOs that Work in Jordan | 05 April | Al Maleka News

  • Social Protection Team Distributes Cash Assistance to 150,000 Households | 07 April | Al Mamlaka

  • More than Half a Million Requests Received on an Online Platform for those Unable to Earn their Livelihoods | 08 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Cash Assistance Distributed as part of Social Protection Programme Next Wednesday | 17 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Launch of Solidarity Programmes to Protect Citizens and the Economy | 17 April | Al Mamlaka

  • 250 Thousand Heads of Households Receive 'Daily Wage Worker' Support | 18 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Food Coupons Distributed to 30 thousand Households Experiencing Hardship | 21 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Government Assistance Transferred to 46 Thousand Households of Daily Wage Workers | 24 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Agrees to Share Data of Daily Wage Workers with the Social Security Corporation | 25 April | Al Mamlaka

  • Minister of Labour: Coordination with the Social Security Corporation to Provide Expats with what they are owed before leaving in 72 hours | 27 April | Al Ghad 

  • United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide Cash Assistance to Palestine Refugees in Jerash Camp | 27 April | Jordan Times

  • 63,000 food parcels delivered to daily wage workers under Crown Prince Foundation Naua Campaign | 03 May | Jordan Times 

  • National Aid Fund has supported 120K daily wage worker households with cash assistance | 03 May | Al-Rai

  • High Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Health Ministry outline procedures for testing, providing virus treatment for persons with disabilities | 06 May | Jordan Times

  • Zakat Fund Launches Smartphone App for Donations | 06 May | Jordan Times
  • Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre begin distributing 41,000 food baskets to Jordanian, refugee families | 07 May | Jordan Times
  • National Aid Fund Expands Assistance to 35K Additional Families of Daily Wage Workers | 09 May | Jordan Times
  • National Aid Fund to Receive Complaints of Families Excluded From Daily Wage Support Programme | 10 May | Jordan Times
  • 20 Million Jordanian Dinars From Himat Wattan (COVID-19 Relief Fund) To Daily Wage Workers | 11 May | Al Mamlaka
  • E-wallets are not easy to create poll finds | 11 May | Jordan Times
  • State Minister of Media Affairs: Flexible Working Regulations for Working Mothers will be Announced before Eid Al-Fitr | 11 May | Addustour
  • United Nations Relief and Works Agency Launches Electronic Platform to Request Monthly Medication  | 11 May | Al Mamlaka
  • United Nations Refugee Agency Begins Distributing Emergency Cash Assistance, Presents Appeal for $79 million | 11 May | Jordan Times
  • Razzaz (Prime Minister) commends Jordanian solidarity, reviews social protection measures during pandemic | 13 May | Jordan Times
  • Danish Refugee Council teams up with Danish foundation to probide cash assistance, hygiene kits to vulnerable individuals | 17 May | Jordan Times
  • Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre complete distribution of food baskets to over 200k beneficiaries | 23 May | Jordan Times 
  • Registration is open for Expats in the 'Himayah' Platform wishing to leave Jordan | 25 May | Al Mamlaka 
  • Himmat Watan Fund has received JD 93.5 Million since launch | 30 May | Jordan Times 
  • Extending the Duration of the Benefits of Defense Order No. 1 for Enterprises  | 31 May  | Assawsana
  • Social Security Corporation Reduces Minimum Unemployment Disbursal Amount | 01 June | Jordan Times
  • Illegally terminated Jordanian Employees Urged to Submit Complaints via Platform - Labour Ministry  | 02 June | Jordan Times
  • National Aid Fund: The Government has Decided to Expand Support for Daily Wage Workers  | 03 June | Khaberni
  • In Jordan, Survey finds most struggle to meet basic needs and access healthcare under lockdown | 04 June | United Nations Development Programme
  • WB Approves $100 million in support for Syrians, Host Communities in Jordan | 13 June | Jordan Times
  • Second Payment of Daily Wage Cash Assistance  Programme Delivered to 235 million households | 14 June | Al Mamlaka TV 
  • 1 Million JDs from Himmat Wattan Relief Fund to cover the cost of returning Jordanians whom can't afford to return | 16 June  | Al-Ghad
  • 45million JDs is the value of the Social Security Corporation's Programme to Mitigate Corona | 20 June  | Al-Rai
  • $6.6-billion Jordan Response Plan for Syrian crisis endorsed | 22 June | MENA FN
  • Social Security Expands Segments of Beneficiaries from Musaned 3  | 22 June | Maqar
  • US$374 Million to Provide Cash Assistance to Poor and Vulnerable Households in Jordan | 25 June | The World Bank
  • 5 Million JDs in Assistance from the Zakat Fund to 218K Households  | 01 July | Khaberni
  • Jordan- Social protection programs reach million families | 08 July | Middle East North Africa Financial Network
  • King urges expanding scope of social protection, enhancing services for beneficiaries | 16 July | The Jordan Times
  • Jordan- BDC projects seek economic empowerment of refugees, host communities — CEO | 18 July | Middle East & North Africa Financial Network 
  • UNRWA to provide emergency cash assistance to Palestine Refugees from Gaza | 22 July | The Jordan Times 
  • August 16 registration deadline set for guest workers wishing to return home  | 24 July | Jordan Times 
  • Gov’t, WFP sign $700mln agreement to provide assistance to vulnerable Jordanians, refugees | 26 July | Zawya
  • Urgent from the Social Security Corporation: Inclusion of Public Sector Workers in the Economic Tamkeen (2) Programme  | 05 August | Al-Anbatt Newspaper 
  • 10M JD Total Cost of Support Programmes Provided by the Social Security Corporation During COVID-19  | 09 August | Al Mamlaka
  • Defence Order no. 15 Includes Exemptions for Companies and Institutions  | 09 August | Al Mamlaka 
  • Social Security Corporation: Defence Order no. 15 Includes those whose income is below 700 JDs only  | 09 August | Ammon News
  • PM Approves Criteria for Travel Cost Support for Jordanians stranded abroad  | 10 August | Jordan Times 
  • World Food Programme welcomes Additional $13.1 million USAID contribution for refugees in Jordan | 15 August | Jordan Times
  • Ministry of Education and UNICEF launch “Learning Bridges” to help one million children recover learning in Jordan | 20 September | United Nations Children's Fund
• Newsletter
  • Inside Jordan’s Fight to Tackle COVID-19 | 20 July | The International Monetary Fund 
• Report
  • Daring to Ask, Listen, and Act: A Snapshot of the Impacts of COVID-19 on Women and Girls' rights and sexual and reproductive health | May 2020 | Plan International and Unite Nations Population Fund
  • Jordan’s National Social Protection Response during COVID-19 | August 2020 | United Nations Children's Fund
     

Kingdom of Bahrain

• Government Information 

  • The Prime Minister chairs the cabinet session | 13 April | Bahrain National News Agency

• Multimedia

  • COVID-19 Pandemic and Migrant workers: the experience from Bahrain | 24 June | International Labour Organization

• News Article 

  • Bahraini Government announces a set of financial and economic interventions worth 4.3 billion US dollars to face COVID-19 impacts after directions from King  Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa | March 17 | CNN Arabic

  • Bahrain pays electricity and water bills for individuals and companies for 3 months | 17 March | Al Arabiya News

  • His Royal Highness Sheikh Naser bin Hamad commends the directions of his Majesty the King and the innovative initiatives of the citizens in facing Corona Virus | 09 April | MENA FN

  • Bahraini Private Sector Employees' Salaries Credited to Employers' Accounts | 17 April | News of Bahrain

  • The Red Crescent continues to provide in-kind assistance to 4,500 needy families | 3 May | AlWatan News (Bahrain)

  • Bahrain's National Council for Women Continues its Assistance Campaign for Vulnerable Women | 5 May | AlKhalij News

  • Ministry of Labor and Social Development: Completion of 15,529 electronic and remote transactions for social assistance services | 5 May | AlKhalij News

  • Bahrain Red Crescent Distributes Assistance to 4500 Families | 18 May | AlKhalij News

  • Stimulus Continues for Private Sector [Employees] | 12 July | The Daily Tribune News of Bahrain

• ​Op-Ed

  • ​Government Support and Subsidies in the Time of Coronavirus | 10 May | AlKhalij News
     

Kuwait

• Government Information

  • #Faz'et Wattan [Relief Fund] Until 26th April - Report of the Work of NGOs Working on Implementation | 26 April | Kuwait Ministry of Social Affairs

• News Article 

  • Kuwait Food Bank Distributes Food Baskets to those Affected by COVID19 | 05 April | Al Anba News

  • The Ministry of Social Affairs launches an automated program for needy families to coordinate the delivery of aid | 05 April | Nabd News

  • The Supreme Committee for Health Emergencies and Confronting the Corona Virus at the Zakat Chamber | 10 April | AlJarida Newspaper

  • Ministry of Interior decides to Give Residents with Expired Visas Temporary Residence for 3 Months | 15 April | Al Watan

  • Kuwait Red Crescent backs State institutions against COVID-19 -- chair | 06 July | MENA FN 

  • Kuwait to introduce bill 'to protect rights of expats through insurance system’ | 06 July | Zawya 
     

Lebanon

• Brief

  • Rapid assessment of the impact of COVID 19 on vulnerable workers and small scale enterprises in Lebanon | 09 June | International Labour Organization

  • Poverty in Lebanon: Solidarity is Vital to Address the Impact of Multiple Overlapping Shocks | 19 August | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

• News Article 

  • Prime Minister Hassan Diab heads the First Coordination Meeting on COVID-19: Stressing that acting fast is an essential matter | 20 March  | AlNahar News

  • A plan to support those impacted by the COVID-19 Crises: Tens of Thousands of Families Require Assistance | 30 March | Ketab News

  • Suggestion to Provide Food Assistance to 600,000 Thounsand Families in Lebanon | 30 March | Ketab News

  • Lebanon: Direct COVID-19 Assistance to Hardest Hit | 08 April | Human Rights Watch

  • Lebanon launches a solidarity program to help those affected by the consequences of Corona | 08 April | Alwafd News

  • Lebanon: People with Disabilities Overlooked in Covid-19 | 11 May | Humans Rights Watch

  • Minister of Economy and Trade: We will start supporting a Basket of Goods with the Lebanese Bank... and the Governments numbers on Losses are more accurate than the Central Bank's | 18 May | LBC Group TV

  • Clarification from UNRWA on Payment of Relief Assistance to Palestine Refugees | 19 May | The Daily Star

  • Minister of Economy and Trade: We will start supporting a Basket of Goods with the Lebanese Bank... and the Governments numbers on Losses are more accurate than the Central Bank's | 18 May | LBC Group TV

  • Lebanon Announces a Basket of Goods Subsidised by the Central Bank  | 28 May | Al-Araby Al Jadeed

  • Lebanon's Parliament endorses $300m aid package | 28 May | Al Jazeera

  • 940 Million Dollars Subsidy for a Basket of Goods: Supporting Produce or Increasing its Price? | 1 June | Al-Akhbar

  • World Bank Supports Upcoming Social Safety Net Programme | 16 June | The Daily Star

  • Minister of Economy Announces Expansion of Subsidised Products | 26 June | Elnashra

  • US$246 Million to Support Poor and Vulnerable Lebanese Households and Build-Up the Social Safety Net Delivery System | 12 January | The World Bank [New]

• ​Op-Ed

  • ​Digitize or Die: Lebanon's Social Services Post-COVID-19 | 16 April | Issam Fares Institute

  • A Social Protection Emergency Response: A Bridge Toward a Comprehensive National Social Protection Plan | 30 April | The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
  • ‘You have no one but us': Lebanon's political elite resurrected amid coronavirus crisis | 31 March | Middle East Eye
  • Poverty and Protest in Lebanon: A Nation on the Edge | 25 May | The Organisation for World Peace
  • Lebanon: Government Recovery Plan Asks Too Much of Ordinary Lebanese, and Not Enough from Elites | June 2020 | Arab Reform Initiative 
• Report
  • Going Hungry: The Empty Plates and Pockets of Lebanon - The Fight to Prevent Hunger amidst Pandemic and Recession | May 2020 | Triangle
  • Wealth Distribution and Poverty Impact of COVID-19 in Lebanon | 17 July | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
     

Lybia

• News Article
  • UNHCR steps up emergency assistance in Libya as continued conflict and COVID-19 create more hardship | 15 May | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
     

Mauritania

• Government Information

  • The Ministry of Public Service distributes quantities of food and sterilization materials to trade union centers | 10 April | The Maruitanian News Agency

  • The General Commission for National Solidarity and Combating Exclusion "synergy" begins to distribute food to needy families in the capital | 11 April | The Maruitanian News Agency

• News Article 

  • Mauritania takes 7 measures against COVID-19, including paying electricity and water bills for the poor | 26 March | CNN Arabic

  • Ramadan in Mauritania: Governmental Agreement with Merchants to Reduce Prices | April 26 | Al-Ain Al-Ikhbariyah

  • The General Commission for National Solidarity and Combating Exclusion distributes food to some communities residing in Nouakchott | 14 May | Mauritanian National News Agency

  • Distributing 270 food baskets to families of children with disabilities | 19 May | Mauritanian National News Agency
     

Morroco

• News Article

  • The Government of Morroco Announced Ways to Transfer Cash Benefits to the Poor in Response to COVID-19 | 27 March | Akhbarna News

  • Morocco to spend $200 million to brace health system for coronavirus | 28 March | Egypt Independent

  • The Government's COVID-19 Economic Action Committee Announces Ways to Withdraw Financial Benefits | 04 April | Al Maghrib Al Youm

  • Monthly Assistance to the Needy in Face of Corona in Morroco | 12 April 2020 | France 24

  • House of Councillors Approves Law on Measures for Workers Negatively Affected by Corona | 17 April | AlMaghrib Today

  • Morocco Approves Legal Framework to Support Formal Sector Employers | 18 April | Morocco World News

  • Cash assistance to be distributed to workers in the informal sector starting from 23rd of April | 21 April | Assabah

  • Cash Assistance to be distrubuted to Workers in the Irregular Sector starting from 23rd of April | 21 April | Assabah Alyoum

  • Complément d'indemnité des entreprises en difficultés : voici la circulaire DGI | 22 April | Médias24

  • More than 4 million Moroccan families have benefited from Governmental Cash Assistance to Mitigate Effects of Corona | 27 April | Rai Alyoum

  • Plus de 4 millions de ménages opérant dans l’informel bénéficieront du soutien du Fonds Covid-19 | 27 April | Maroc Diplomatique

  • The Corona Response Fund Collected 32.7 Billion Derhams and Spet 13.7 Billion Derhams | 19 May | Febrayer News

  • World Bank Approves $US500 Million to support Morocco’s financial and digital inclusion reforms | 23 June | World Bank Group

  • Morocco’s govt gives top priority to social issues in its Amending Finance Law | 10 July | Ecofin Agency

  • Operation SALAMA reaches millions of Moroccans with pandemic information, supplies, support | 28 July | Relief Web 

  • Morocco’s king announces package of economic, social measures | 30 July | Middle East Confidential 

  • Morocco to reform state bodies in virus response, Finance Ministry says | 04 August | Nasdaq News 

• Op-Ed

  • 800 DH et du mépris Sur les aides directes en temps de Corona | 09 May | Attac Maroc

• Report

  • Morocco Economic Monitor | 01 July | The World Bank 

  • Strategic Note: Social and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis in Morocco | August 2020 | High Commissioner for Planning 

• Social Media

  • As of 30 April, there were 4,359 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in #Morocco | 30 April | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
  • How can a country quickly implement emergency #CashTransfers when hit by a shock like #COVID19? | 30 April | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
  • Morocco's Covid-19 trajectory | 04 May | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
     

Oman

• Government Information

  • People of Matrah Praise Governmental Efforts | 06 April | Oman News Agency
     

Qatar

• Brief

  • Qatar Country Report | 22 November | CoronaNet 

• Government Information

  • Qatar's Gaza Re-Construction Committee Distributes Aid to Gaza Needy Families to Respond to COVID-19 | 04 April | Gaza Reconstruction Committee (Qatari Government Entity)

• News Article

  • Qatar announces a set of measures to face COVID-19, including 8 economic measures | March 15 | Mubasher

  • Qatar to Pay Sick Worker's Wages amid Labour-Camp Lockdowns | 02 April | Global Construction Review

  • Qatar- HMC expands health services provided to the elderly | 07 July | MENA FN 

  • QRCS delivers Adahi food aid to 125,000 beneficiaries | 01 August | Relief Web 

  • Qatar firms’ failure to pay leaves migrant workers destitute – report | 26 November | The Guardian

• Op-Ed 

  • Qatar to pay workers in quarantine full salaries | 01 April | Al Jazeera
     

Saudi Arabia

• News Article
  • Combating Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia Grants Citizens Three Month Loan Repayment Delay | 23 April | Khaleej Times
  • Nearly $320 million financial support to Saudi Employees in private sector | 02 May | Arab News
  • Saudi Arabia spends more than $57 billion on coronavirus stimulus | 09 July | Arab News 
  • Two Million Saudis Lose Cash Aid When They Can Least Afford It | 14 July | Bloomberg
     

State of Palestine

• Blog

  • ‘A Nightmare within a Nightmare': the Coronavirus in Palestine | 01 May | London School of Economics 

  • Dispossessed and Dispensable: A Visual Reflection on COVID-19 and the Social Determinants of Health in Occupied East Jerusalem  | 10 July | LSE Middle East Centre ​
  • Update: Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons in the State of Palestine | 28 December | Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund 
• Brief
  • UNRWA Covid-19 Monthly Update | 16 September | United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 

• News Article 

  • Disbursment of Qatar Funded Cash Transfers in Gaza for Poor Families | 30 March | AlAraby AlJadeed

  • The Ministry of Social Affairs Signs an MoU with Waqfa Fund to Support Needy Families During Covid 19 | 05 April | Palestine News Network

  • Minister of Labour: Launch of a Temporary Employment Programme for the Unemployed  | 15 April | Al Watan Voice

  • $140.79 Cash Assistance for Families that have Recently Registered With the Ministry of Social Development | 20 April | Quds Net News Agency

  • 700 Shekel ($200) Distributed to 40 Thousand Palestinian Workers  | 11 May | Ramallah News

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Clarifies Cash Assistance Distribution Mechanism from 'Wakkfet 'Izz' Relief Fund  | 11 May | Falastine Al-An

  • Ministry of Labour publishes an important announcement about the first payment in the Daily Wage Worker Assistance Programme | 20 May | Sawa News

  • Platform for Beneficiaries from the Waqfit Izz Fund $200 in Gaza  | 28 May | Palestine Today

  • World Bank: West Bank poor may double over coronavirus pandemic | 01 June | Al-Araby Al Jadeed
  • Waqfit Izz Relief Fund begins distributing 500 shekel ($143) to 18 thousand households in Gaza and West Bank | 14 June | Palestine Today
  • Ministry of Social Development: 50thousand persons with disabilities benefitted from Ministry's ongoing programmes  | 15 June | AlWatan Voice
  • Qatar Contributes US$ 1.5 million to support Gaza food aid | 21 June | ReliefWeb, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
  • Germany Disburses EUR 20 Million to Support UNRWA COVID-19 Flash Appeal | 25 June | Relief Web, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
  • A Source from UNRWA: We have collected more than 2 million dollars in funding to distribute to poor households in the gaza strip according to certain guidelines | 05 July | Nabad 
  • ActionAid Palestine helping Hebron governorate combat COVID-19 pandemic | 08 July | Wafa Agency 
  • Palestinian Cabinet Decisions: Approval to provide another emergency assistance payment for segements negatively affected by Corona including students, labourers, workers in the tourism sector, poor households, and financial assistance to 1400 shops in Jerusalem | 20 July | Nabd 
  • Coronavirus: World Bank to Grant $30M to Palestine - Finance will be allocated for families, unemployed workers affected by pandemic | 06 August | Anadolu Agency 

• ​Website

  • ​Madad | Help AlQuds
     

Sudan

• Government Information 

  • Zakat Funds Efforts in the Face of COVID19 | 5 April | Zakat Fund

• ​​​News Article

  • Hunger is worse than corona': Sudanese demand end to lockdownn | 08 June | Al Jazeera
     

Syria

• Multimedia
  • Psychosocial support and cash assistance for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees | 02 November | World Vision 
• News Article
  • Launching of a Digital Platform and Distribution of Medical items and Formation of Volunteer Groups in Response to COVID19 | 12 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)
  • Syrian Trade in Hama: The sale of food supplies under the electronic card has become through the accredited | 15 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)
  • A youth initiative in Homs to buy vegetables from farmers and sell them at cost and another in Sweida to sell food | 18 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)
  • The Syrian Trade Company in Aleppo operates 12 mobile cars to sell food supplies under the electronic card | 18 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • The Syrian Trade in Asuwayda sends 3 cars loaded with vegetables run to sell to citizens at cost | 19 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • Ministry of Finance asks the banks to deposit the contributions of the national campaign for emergency social response in its account with the Central | 21 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • Internal Trade amends the plan to sell basic food items via the electronic card for May and June | 26 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • Offering quantities of vegetables, eggs and detergents at cost price in the popular market in Sweida | 28 April | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • Within the national campaign for emergency social response: carrying out field visits to the homes of families of the disabled and the elderly | 29 April | AlJamaheer Newspaper

  • The Syrian Trade in Damascus: Increase the quantities of vegetables, meat and eggs and put them at low prices | 08 May | Syrian Arab News Agnency 

  • The Council of Ministers approves a document (economic, service and executive programs and procedures) for the ministries' work related to the conditions to tackle the Corona epidemic | 10 May | Syrian Arab News Agnency 

  • Qatar Fund for Development contributes US$ 1 million for cash assistance to Palestine refugees in Syria | 30 December | United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
     

Tunisia

• Blog

  • How the coronavirus affects the poor in Tunisia: First findings | 03 June | The World Bank

• Brief

  • Impacts of COVID-19 on Household Welfare in Tunisia | 21 December | The World Bank 

• Legal Document

  • Dispositions légales portant mesures exceptionnelles et provisoires visant à mitiger la crise COVID-19 | 23 April | Tustex

• Multimedia

  • Coronavirus: des Tunisiens inquiets réclament l'aide promise du gouvernement | 31 March | AFP news

• News Article 

  • EU to Support Tunisian COVID-19 Response with 250 Million Euros| 29 March| Mubasher News

  • Tomorrow, Tunisia will disburse assistances for the poor to combat COVID-19 Impacts | 30 March | Mubasher News

  • Tunisie : Versement de 100 dinars à près de 133 mille retraités | 03 April | Directinfo

  • The Islamic Development Bank will Provide Tunisia with 279 Million US Dollars to Support Tunisian Response to the Health, Economic and Social Consequences of COVID19 | 10 April | Al Ain News

  • Batinda.gov.tn : 176 mille demandes d’aides exceptionnelles | 23 April | L'économiste maghrébin

  • Minister of Social Affairs Announces New Mechanism to Distribute Cash Assistance | 23 April | Al Masdar

  • Minister of Social Affairs: Around 1.2 Million People Applied to Districts to Receive Assistance to Mitigate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic | 23 April | Akher Khabar Online

  • Affaires sociales : 1,2 million de demandes d’aide sociale déposées | 24 April | L'économiste maghrébin

  • Covid-19 : déblocage de la deuxième tranche des aides sociales début mai | 24 April | L'économiste maghrébin

  • Ministry of Social Affairs: Procedure Manual Organising Work During the Guided Quarantine Period: Second Payment of Exceptional Cash Assistance... Bypassing past mistakes | 24 April | Al Maghreb

  • Tunisia’s Informal Workers Hard-Hit by Coronavirus Lockdown | 01 May | Inside Arabia

  • Tunisie - Mise en place du portefeuille digital | 05 May | Business News
  • Promulgué par décret-loi : les détails sur l’Identifiant unique citoyen | 12 May | Business News
  • Tunisia orders lifting of coronavirus lockdownn | 08 June | Al Jazeera
  • WFP supports Tunisian government in assisting vulnerable families affected by Covid-19 in Siliana | 13 August | Relief Web
• Op-Ed
• • Tunisie. Une gestion sécuritaire du Covid-19 au détriment du droit à la santé | 29 April | Orient XXI
• Social Media
  • A new wave of #CashTransfers was announced on April 19 | 08 May | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
     

Turkey

• Blog

  • Turkey and COVID-19: Don’t forget refugees | 20 April | Brookings

• Brief

  • Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) Issue 3: June 2020 | June 2020 | International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies, Turkish Red Crescent Society
  • KIZILAYKART Cash Based Assistance Programmes - Information Note | June 2020 | Turkish Red Crescent Society
  • KIZILAYKART Programme: Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) Programme | June 2020 | Turkish Red Crescent Society, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 
  • UNHCR Turkey Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 10 August | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Gender Gaps in the Care Economy during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey | 06 August | United Nations Development Programme Turkey
  • The impact of the pandemic on employment in Turkey: What would have happened without COVID-19? | 29 December | International Labour Organization

• Mapping

  • COVID-19: Turkish Government Financial Assistance Measures | 09 June | Lexology

• News Article

  • Turkey Unveils $15.4 Billion Plan to Counter Virus Outbreak | March 18 | Bloomberg

  • Turkish COVID-19 Solidarity Campaign Led by President Erdogan Reaches more than 130 Million USD | 02 April | Anadolu Agency

  • 100,000 Families Received Cash Assistance in Istanbul | 05 April | Anadolu Agency

  • Turkish Religious Authorities: Zakat for COVID-19 Response is Allowed and Encourged | 04 April | Anadolu Agency

  • Coronavirus: Turkey makes treatment and medicine totally free of charge | 14 April | Middle East Eye

  • COVID-19 treatment free for Turkish citizens even without social security | 14 April | Daily Sabah

  • Turkey Passes Bill to Cushion COVID-19 Fallout, Protect Economic, Social Life | 16 April | Daily Sabah

  • Salary Support Applications for Workers with Unpaid Leave Started | 23 April | Railly News

  • Turkey determined to leave no family behind amid COVID-19 pandemic | 26 April | Daily Sabah

  • Turkish Social Aid Program Reached over 6M Households | 17 June | Anadolu Agency

  • Turkey extends ban on layoffs for 3 more months | 17 June | Daily Sabah

  • EU approves over $500 million in financial aid for Turkey’s Syrian refugees | 11 July | Ahval

  • IFAD and WFP support Tunisian government in assisting vulnerable families affected by Covid-19 in Siliana under IFAD's project "PROFITS" and the UN MPTF | 13 August | World Food Programme

  • Turkey: targeted support, sustainable macroeconomic policy and structural reforms will strengthen the COVID-19 recovery | 14 January | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [New]

• Report

  • Impact of COVID-19 on Refugee Populations Benefitting from the Emergency Social Safety Net Programme | 12 May | International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent 

  • Impact of COVID-19: on refugee populations benefitting from the Emergency Social Safety Net Programme - Assessment Report  | May 2020 | Turkish Red Crescent 
     

Yemen

• Blog
  • Support for community initiatives builds resilience in Yemen  | 24 June | The World Bank 
• News Article
  • UNHCR: Shortfall threatens critical aid for nearly one million displaced Yemenis and refugees | 28 April | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • IOM Releases Crisis Appeal to Support over 5.3 Million Yemenis and Migrants | 29 May | International Organization for Migration
  • New US$303.9 Million Grants for Yemen Will Support Education, Access to Jobs, and Livelihoods Affected by COVID-19 | 17 December | The World Bank 
     

Regional

• Blog

  • #5 Prioritizing Jobs During COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the Middle East and North Africa | 16 April | Jobs and Development Partnerships

  • COVID-19 and Cash Transfers in MENA: What’s Possible? | 03 May | The Cash Learning Partnership
  • COVID-19 (coronavirus): Ensuring continuity of health services in the Middle East and North Africa | 13 May | The World Bank

• Brief

  • COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa: Reactions, Vulnerabilities, ­Prospects | April 2020 | German Institute of Global and Area Studies

  • Greater Horn of Africa and Yemen | Desert locust crisis appeal (January–December 2020) | May 2020 | Food and Agriculture Organization

  • COVID-19 crisis in the MENA region: impact on gender equality and policy responses | 10 June | Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

  • Impact of COVID-19 on Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon | 28 June | International Labour Organization

• Event

  • High-level Meeting to Support Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 in the Arab Region | 24 June | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

  • MENA Regional Event: Linking Social Protection & Humanitarian Cash Assistance | 28 July | The Cash Learning Partnership

• News Article 

  • In Numbers: What have the Arab countries offered to raise the debt burden of citizens and companies in the Corona Crisis? | 16 April | Al Jazeera
  • Between a rock and a hard place: COVID-19 doubles the burden for millions of children in the Middle East and North Africa Region | 20 April | United Nations Children's Fund
  • Middle East- Protecting livelihoods is a must during COVID-19 Response | 04 June | International Committee of the Red Cross
  • La réponse de la sécurité sociale au COVID-19 : le cas de l‘Afrique du Nord | 09 July | International Social Security Association
  • Extending Exceptional World Bank Support to the MENA Region Amid Dual Economic Shocks | 20 July | The World Bank

• Op-Ed 

  • Coronavirus pandemic threatens to plunge millions in Arab region into poverty and food insecurity | 01 April | UN News

  • Coronavirus In Arab Countries: Passing Storm, Opportunity For Change Or Regional Catastrophe? – Analysis | 12 April | EurasiaReviews

  • Social Protection in War and Peace: COVID-19 and the Middle East and North Africa Region | April 2020 | Middle East and North Africa Social Policy Network

  • In the Gulf, migrant workers bear the brunt of the pandemic | 01 June | Al Jazeera

  • A Slice of Knafeh for Everyone? A Critical Introduction to Universal Basic Income in MENA | 12 June | Arab Reform Initiative

• Report

  • Social Protection Responses to the COVID-19 crisis in the MENA/ Arab States Region | July 2020 | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, Issue-Based Coalition on Social Protection

  • Mapping of Government measures taken to protect persons with disabilities from COVID-19, and efforts to provide accessible information and awareness materials | 2020 | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia 

  • For a Decade of Hope Not Austerity in the Middle East and North Africa: Towards a Fair and Inclusive Recovery to Fight Inequality | 26 August | Oxfam 

• Statement

  • COVID-19 makes Gulf Countries' Abuse of Migrant Workers Impossible to Ignore | 30 April | Amnesty International