Algeria

• Government Information

  • The president of the Republic heads a supplementary meeting on COVID-19 in Algeria | 19 March 2020 | Algeria Press Service | Algeria

  • Facilitating Donations: Prime Minister Provides Directions to Members of the Cabinet and Governors | 05 April 2020 | Office of the Prime Minister Algeria

• News Article 

  • Pensioners will Be able to Use relatives to Receive Pension Benefits on their Behalf | 21 March 2020 | Echourk News

  • In an instruction from the Ministry of Commerce to its directorates, aid convoys for shadow areas across all states | 08 April 2020 | Echourk News

  • Financial Assistance to those Affected by Corona | 14 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Al-Jaza'er Al'an

  • Algeria sends Aid to Sahrawi Refugees | 02 May 2020 | el-Massa

  • Administrative Districts of the Capital Distribute Assistances to Poor Families Affected by COVID19 | 03 May 2020 | AlJaza'er News

  • Commencment of the Distribution of 20,000 Food Basekt in Bejaia Stat | 04 May 2020 | El-Massa

  • Distribution of 3,000 Food Basekts in Anaba Province | 05 May 2020 | El-Massa

  • Distribution of Danger Allowance to Health Workers | 06 May 2020 | el-Massa

  • The State will Provide Temporary Assistance to Taxi Driver Affected by COVID19 Lockdown | 06 May 2020 | Elaures News

  • Distribution of 3500 Food Basket through the Scouts in Boumerdès Province | 08 May 2020 | Echchaab News

  • Algerian President Announces Support to Wages | 09 May 2020 | Echorouk News

  • Algeria increases Pensions for 3 Million Workers Despite Economic Pressures | 09 May 2020 | AlShark AlAwsat
     

Djibouti

• News Article 

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Continues to Provide Food Vouchers to the Needy | 04 April 2020 | 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 2020 | International Labour Organization

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Launches Biometric Registration and Social Assistance Process for Refugees in Urban Areas  | 24 August 2020 | Al-Qarn
     

Egypt

• Blog

  • Coronavirus Exposes the Extreme Disparity between Rich and Poor in Egypt | 08 April 2020 | London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Social Protection And Older People In Egypt During The COVID-19 Pandemic | 02 June 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | Masrwawy News

  • Social Measures to Protect Egyptians in the Face of COVID-19 | 29 March 2020 | AlWatan News

  • The Government Establishes a Website to Communicate with Irregular Workers Who were Affected by COVID-19 | 01 April 2020 | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Governor of Sharkia Governorate: Distribution of 18,000 Food Box in Cooperation with the Egyptian Food Bank | 03 April 2020 | Dalel Masr News

  • The Egyptian FoodBank Distributes 32,000 Food Box to Families in Kafr ElShikh Governorate | 05 April 2020 | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Distribution of assistance to the need who were impacted by COVID 19 in the Governorates | 09 April 2020 | Sada ElBalad News

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

  • Egyptian Government Announce the Mechanisms for Disburing Cash Assistance to Irregular Workers | 12 April 2020 | AlMostakbal News

  • 100,000 families were added to Takaful and Karama Cash Programme in Response to COVID-19 | 12 April 2020 | Al Youm ElSabi

  • Egyptian Food Bank Launches Electronic Platform for Individuals and NGOs to Register | 17 April 2020 | Al-Watan

  • Minister of Manpower: 2.5 million beneficaries of cash assistance for informal sector workers | 27 April 2020 | Al Shurooq 

  • Minister of Manpower: $3.6m in cash assistance for 48 thousand workers in the tourism sector | 27 April 2020 | Al Youm Al Sabe'

  • Ministery of Social Solidarity begins distributing the May cash allowance on Friday | 27 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Baladna Elyoum

  • The Egyptian Food Bank Targets 1.5 Million Families During Ramadan | 03 May 2020 | Amwal ElGhad News

  • Ministry of Local Development Delays Collection of Loan Installments for Small Projects and Takes Action to Fight Poverty | 05 May 2020 | Masrawy

  • NGO Masr ElKhair and the Ministry of Social Solidarity Launch the Second Phase of Food Assistance Envoy to Delta Governorates | 08 May 2020 | 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 2020 | AlMal News

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

  • Sawiris Foundation partners with UNHCR to support vulnerable refugees amidst COVID-19 | 18 June 2020 | ReliefWeb, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

  • Egypt- MSMEDA provides EGP 2.3bn financing for infrastructure, community development under Al-Sisi | 21 June 2020 | The Middle East North Africa Financial Network

  • Egypt's mechanisms to combat poverty in 20/21's sustainable development plan | 09 July 2020 | Egypt Today 

  • Egypt Takes Proactive Approach to Limit the Pandemic’s Fallout | 09 July 2020 | International Monetary Fund 

  • INTERVIEW: Egypt’s economic reforms strengthened the economy in the face of COVID-19, says IMF mission head | 10 July 2020 | 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 2020 | Egypt Today 

  • WFP launches a €15 million project in Egypt with the German development bank | 27 July 2020 | 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 2020 | World Food Programme

  • £1.8 million Partnership to Support Social Protection Advocacy | 17 November 2020 | 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 2020 | AlMal News

  • Egypt after the Coronavirus: Back to Square One | 26 August 2020 | Arab Reform Initiative  
     

Iran

• Blog

  • Iran and the Economic Fallout of COVID-19 | 14 April 2020 | Middle East Institute 

• News Article 

  • US ready to block Iran's requests for coronavirus aid from the IMF, officials say | 09 April 2020 | CNN

  • Iran's Government Continuing Extensive Support for Startups, Tech Firms | 03 May 2020 | Financial Tribune

  • 64% in Tehran Need Government Aid | 04 May 2020 | Financial Tribune

  • 18,000 Employers Apply for Virus Bailout Assistance | 18 May 2020 | Financial Tribune

  • COVID-19 Inflicts Losses on Iran's Biggest Pension Fund | 30 May 2020 | Financial Tribune
     

Iraq

• Blog

  • Refugees deliver mental health services to locked down camps in Iraq | 08 July 2020 | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

• Brief 

  • UAC/alternative Care Guidance For The Covid-19 Situation | 01 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Government of Iraq

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

  • Young returnees in Iraq benefit from vocational training | 28 May 2020 | United Nations Habitat

  • Minister of Social Development announces the implementation of an inclusive development plan in coordination with the world bank  | 04 June 2020 | Dunia Al-Watan

  • IOM Iraq provides Cash Assistance to Migrant Workers Affected by COVID-19 | 05 June 2020 | 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 2020 | United Nations Children's Fund 

  • UN, Ministries Discuss Cooperation on Enhancing the Social Protection System in Iraq | 20 August 2020 | United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq

  • Iraq Food Security at Risk in a Year of Mounting Disasters | 13 August 2020 | Future Directions International

• Op-Ed

  • Corona Virus and Social Protection Policies in Iraq | 09 April 2020 | Annabaa
     

Jordan

• Blog

  • Fast Access to Cash Provides Urgent Relief to those Hardest hit by COVID-19 | 9 April 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | JordanTV

  • Tadamon and Musaned Beneficiaries | 21 May 2020 | Social Security Corporation Facebook Page

• News Article 

  • The Government of Jordan activates Charity Bank Account for the benefit of poor households | 28 March 2020 | Roia News

  • Jordanian Army Distributes Food Packages to the Population During COVID-19 Curfew | 29 March 2020 | AlYoum AlSabi'

  • Discussions regarding creating a fund to support Jordan in facing COVID-19 Impacts | 30 March 2020 | Nabd News

  • UN WFP Continues to Support half a million Syrian Refugees in Jordan During COVID-19 | 04 April 2020 | Al Youm ElSabi'

  • Minister of Planning Meet with INGOs that Work in Jordan | 05 April 2020 | Al Maleka News

  • Social Protection Team Distributes Cash Assistance to 150,000 Households | 07 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • More than Half a Million Requests Received on an Online Platform for those Unable to Earn their Livelihoods | 08 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • Cash Assistance Distributed as part of Social Protection Programme Next Wednesday | 17 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • Launch of Solidarity Programmes to Protect Citizens and the Economy | 17 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • 250 Thousand Heads of Households Receive 'Daily Wage Worker' Support | 18 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • Food Coupons Distributed to 30 thousand Households Experiencing Hardship | 21 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • Government Assistance Transferred to 46 Thousand Households of Daily Wage Workers | 24 April 2020 | Al Mamlaka

  • Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Agrees to Share Data of Daily Wage Workers with the Social Security Corporation | 25 April 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | Jordan Times

  • 63,000 food parcels delivered to daily wage workers under Crown Prince Foundation Naua Campaign | 03 May 2020 | Jordan Times 

  • National Aid Fund has supported 120K daily wage worker households with cash assistance | 03 May 2020 | 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 2020 | Jordan Times

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

• Multimedia

  • COVID-19 Pandemic and Migrant workers: the experience from Bahrain | 24 June 2020 | 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 2020 | CNN Arabic

  • Bahrain pays electricity and water bills for individuals and companies for 3 months | 17 March 2020 | 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 2020 | MENA FN

  • Bahraini Private Sector Employees' Salaries Credited to Employers' Accounts | 17 April 2020 | News of Bahrain

  • The Red Crescent continues to provide in-kind assistance to 4,500 needy families | 3 May 2020 | AlWatan News (Bahrain)

  • Bahrain's National Council for Women Continues its Assistance Campaign for Vulnerable Women | 5 May 2020 | AlKhalij News

  • Ministry of Labor and Social Development: Completion of 15,529 electronic and remote transactions for social assistance services | 5 May 2020 | AlKhalij News

  • Bahrain Red Crescent Distributes Assistance to 4500 Families | 18 May 2020 | AlKhalij News

  • Stimulus Continues for Private Sector [Employees] | 12 July 2020 | The Daily Tribune News of Bahrain

• ​Op-Ed

  • ​Government Support and Subsidies in the Time of Coronavirus | 10 May 2020 | AlKhalij News
     

Kuwait

• Government Information

  • #Faz'et Wattan [Relief Fund] Until 26th April - Report of the Work of NGOs Working on Implementation | 26 April 2020 | Kuwait Ministry of Social Affairs

• News Article 

  • Kuwait Food Bank Distributes Food Baskets to those Affected by COVID19 | 05 April 2020 | Al Anba News

  • The Ministry of Social Affairs launches an automated program for needy families to coordinate the delivery of aid | 05 April 2020 | Nabd News

  • The Supreme Committee for Health Emergencies and Confronting the Corona Virus at the Zakat Chamber | 10 April 2020 | AlJarida Newspaper

  • Ministry of Interior decides to Give Residents with Expired Visas Temporary Residence for 3 Months | 15 April 2020 | Al Watan

  • Kuwait Red Crescent backs State institutions against COVID-19 -- chair | 06 July 2020 | MENA FN 

  • Kuwait to introduce bill 'to protect rights of expats through insurance system’ | 06 July 2020 | Zawya 
     

Lebanon

• Brief

  • Rapid assessment of the impact of COVID 19 on vulnerable workers and small scale enterprises in Lebanon | 09 June 2020 | International Labour Organization

  • Poverty in Lebanon: Solidarity is Vital to Address the Impact of Multiple Overlapping Shocks | 19 August 2020 | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

  • CAMEALEON rapid field monitoring survey: The impact of the COVID-19 total lockdown on WFP multi-purpose cash recipients in Lebanon | March 2021 | Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council, Solidarités International [New]

• News Article 

  • Prime Minister Hassan Diab heads the First Coordination Meeting on COVID-19: Stressing that acting fast is an essential matter | 20 March 2020 | AlNahar News

  • A plan to support those impacted by the COVID-19 Crises: Tens of Thousands of Families Require Assistance | 30 March 2020 | Ketab News

  • Suggestion to Provide Food Assistance to 600,000 Thounsand Families in Lebanon | 30 March 2020 | Ketab News

  • Lebanon: Direct COVID-19 Assistance to Hardest Hit | 08 April 2020 | Human Rights Watch

  • Lebanon launches a solidarity program to help those affected by the consequences of Corona | 08 April 2020 | Alwafd News

  • Lebanon: People with Disabilities Overlooked in Covid-19 | 11 May 2020 | 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 2020 | LBC Group TV

  • Clarification from UNRWA on Payment of Relief Assistance to Palestine Refugees | 19 May 2020 | 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 2020 | LBC Group TV

  • Lebanon Announces a Basket of Goods Subsidised by the Central Bank  | 28 May 2020 | Al-Araby Al Jadeed

  • Lebanon's Parliament endorses $300m aid package | 28 May 2020 | Al Jazeera

  • 940 Million Dollars Subsidy for a Basket of Goods: Supporting Produce or Increasing its Price? | 1 June 2020 | Al-Akhbar

  • World Bank Supports Upcoming Social Safety Net Programme | 16 June 2020 | The Daily Star

  • Minister of Economy Announces Expansion of Subsidised Products | 26 June 2020 | Elnashra

  • US$246 Million to Support Poor and Vulnerable Lebanese Households and Build-Up the Social Safety Net Delivery System | 12 January 2020 | The World Bank 

• ​Op-Ed

  • ​Digitize or Die: Lebanon's Social Services Post-COVID-19 | 16 April 2020 | Issam Fares Institute

  • A Social Protection Emergency Response: A Bridge Toward a Comprehensive National Social Protection Plan | 30 April 2020 | The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies
  • ‘You have no one but us': Lebanon's political elite resurrected amid coronavirus crisis | 31 March 2020 | Middle East Eye
  • Poverty and Protest in Lebanon: A Nation on the Edge | 25 May 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | The Maruitanian News Agency

• News Article 

  • Mauritania takes 7 measures against COVID-19, including paying electricity and water bills for the poor | 26 March 2020 | CNN Arabic

  • Ramadan in Mauritania: Governmental Agreement with Merchants to Reduce Prices | April 26 2020 | Al-Ain Al-Ikhbariyah

  • The General Commission for National Solidarity and Combating Exclusion distributes food to some communities residing in Nouakchott | 14 May 2020 | Mauritanian National News Agency

  • Distributing 270 food baskets to families of children with disabilities | 19 May 2020 | 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 2020 | Akhbarna News

  • Morocco to spend $200 million to brace health system for coronavirus | 28 March 2020 | Egypt Independent

  • The Government's COVID-19 Economic Action Committee Announces Ways to Withdraw Financial Benefits | 04 April 2020 | 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 2020 | AlMaghrib Today

  • Morocco Approves Legal Framework to Support Formal Sector Employers | 18 April 2020 | Morocco World News

  • Cash assistance to be distributed to workers in the informal sector starting from 23rd of April | 21 April 2020 | Assabah

  • Cash Assistance to be distrubuted to Workers in the Irregular Sector starting from 23rd of April | 21 April 2020 | Assabah Alyoum

  • Complément d'indemnité des entreprises en difficultés : voici la circulaire DGI | 22 April 2020 | Médias24

  • More than 4 million Moroccan families have benefited from Governmental Cash Assistance to Mitigate Effects of Corona | 27 April 2020 | Rai Alyoum

  • Plus de 4 millions de ménages opérant dans l’informel bénéficieront du soutien du Fonds Covid-19 | 27 April 2020 | Maroc Diplomatique

  • The Corona Response Fund Collected 32.7 Billion Derhams and Spet 13.7 Billion Derhams | 19 May 2020 | Febrayer News

  • World Bank Approves $US500 Million to support Morocco’s financial and digital inclusion reforms | 23 June 2020 | World Bank Group

  • Morocco’s govt gives top priority to social issues in its Amending Finance Law | 10 July 2020 | Ecofin Agency

  • Operation SALAMA reaches millions of Moroccans with pandemic information, supplies, support | 28 July 2020 | Relief Web 

  • Morocco’s king announces package of economic, social measures | 30 July 2020 | Middle East Confidential 

  • Morocco to reform state bodies in virus response, Finance Ministry says | 04 August 2020 | Nasdaq News 

• Op-Ed

  • 800 DH et du mépris Sur les aides directes en temps de Corona | 09 May 2020 | Attac Maroc

• Report

  • Morocco Economic Monitor | 01 July 2020 | The World Bank 

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

  • Conditional cash transfers and the learning crisis: evidence from Tayssir scale-up in Morocco | February 2021 | NOVAFRICA

• Social Media

  • As of 30 April, there were 4,359 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in #Morocco | 30 April 2020 | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
  • How can a country quickly implement emergency #CashTransfers when hit by a shock like #COVID19? | 30 April 2020 | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
  • Morocco's Covid-19 trajectory | 04 May 2020 | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
     

Oman

• Government Information

  • People of Matrah Praise Governmental Efforts | 06 April 2020 | Oman News Agency

• News article

  • Oman restructures pension and social protection system  | 07 April 2021 | Reuters [New]
     

Qatar

• Brief

  • Qatar Country Report | 22 November 2020 | CoronaNet 

• Government Information

  • Qatar's Gaza Re-Construction Committee Distributes Aid to Gaza Needy Families to Respond to COVID-19 | 04 April 2020 | Gaza Reconstruction Committee (Qatari Government Entity)

• News Article

  • Qatar announces a set of measures to face COVID-19, including 8 economic measures | March 15 2020 | Mubasher

  • Qatar to Pay Sick Worker's Wages amid Labour-Camp Lockdowns | 02 April 2020 | Global Construction Review

  • Qatar- HMC expands health services provided to the elderly | 07 July 2020 | MENA FN 

  • QRCS delivers Adahi food aid to 125,000 beneficiaries | 01 August 2020 | Relief Web 

  • Qatar firms’ failure to pay leaves migrant workers destitute – report | 26 November 2020 | The Guardian

• Op-Ed 

  • Qatar to pay workers in quarantine full salaries | 01 April 2020 | Al Jazeera
     

Saudi Arabia

• News Article
  • Combating Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia Grants Citizens Three Month Loan Repayment Delay | 23 April 2020 | Khaleej Times
  • Nearly $320 million financial support to Saudi Employees in private sector | 02 May 2020 | Arab News
  • Saudi Arabia spends more than $57 billion on coronavirus stimulus | 09 July 2020 | Arab News 
  • Two Million Saudis Lose Cash Aid When They Can Least Afford It | 14 July 2020 | Bloomberg
     

State of Palestine

• Blog

  • ‘A Nightmare within a Nightmare': the Coronavirus in Palestine | 01 May 2020 | 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 2020 | LSE Middle East Centre ​
  • Update: Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons in the State of Palestine | 28 December 2020 | Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund 
• Brief
  • UNRWA Covid-19 Monthly Update | 16 September 2020 | 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 2020 | AlAraby AlJadeed

  • The Ministry of Social Affairs Signs an MoU with Waqfa Fund to Support Needy Families During Covid 19 | 05 April 2020 | Palestine News Network

  • Minister of Labour: Launch of a Temporary Employment Programme for the Unemployed  | 15 April 2020 | Al Watan Voice

  • $140.79 Cash Assistance for Families that have Recently Registered With the Ministry of Social Development | 20 April 2020 | Quds Net News Agency

  • 700 Shekel ($200) Distributed to 40 Thousand Palestinian Workers  | 11 May 2020 | Ramallah News

  • Ministry of Social Affairs Clarifies Cash Assistance Distribution Mechanism from 'Wakkfet 'Izz' Relief Fund  | 11 May 2020 | Falastine Al-An

  • Ministry of Labour publishes an important announcement about the first payment in the Daily Wage Worker Assistance Programme | 20 May 2020 | Sawa News

  • Platform for Beneficiaries from the Waqfit Izz Fund $200 in Gaza  | 28 May 2020 | Palestine Today

  • World Bank: West Bank poor may double over coronavirus pandemic | 01 June 2020 | Al-Araby Al Jadeed
  • Waqfit Izz Relief Fund begins distributing 500 shekel ($143) to 18 thousand households in Gaza and West Bank | 14 June 2020 | Palestine Today
  • Ministry of Social Development: 50thousand persons with disabilities benefitted from Ministry's ongoing programmes  | 15 June 2020 | AlWatan Voice
  • Qatar Contributes US$ 1.5 million to support Gaza food aid | 21 June 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | Nabad 
  • ActionAid Palestine helping Hebron governorate combat COVID-19 pandemic | 08 July 2020 | 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 2020 | Nabd 
  • Coronavirus: World Bank to Grant $30M to Palestine - Finance will be allocated for families, unemployed workers affected by pandemic | 06 August 2020 | Anadolu Agency 
  • UNRWA appeals for US$1.5 billion to support Palestine refugees in 2021 | 11 February 2021 | United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

• ​Website

  • ​Madad | Help AlQuds
     

Sudan

• Government Information 

  • Zakat Funds Efforts in the Face of COVID19 | 5 April 2020 | Zakat Fund

• ​​​News Article

  • Hunger is worse than corona': Sudanese demand end to lockdownn | 08 June 2020 | Al Jazeera
     

Syria

• Multimedia
  • Psychosocial support and cash assistance for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees | 02 November 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | Syrian Arab News Agnency (SANA)

  • Offering quantities of vegetables, eggs and detergents at cost price in the popular market in Sweida | 28 April 2020 | 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 2020 | AlJamaheer Newspaper

  • The Syrian Trade in Damascus: Increase the quantities of vegetables, meat and eggs and put them at low prices | 08 May 2020 | 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 2020 | Syrian Arab News Agnency 

  • Qatar Fund for Development contributes US$ 1 million for cash assistance to Palestine refugees in Syria | 30 December 2020 | 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 2020 | The World Bank

• Brief

  • Impacts of COVID-19 on Household Welfare in Tunisia | 21 December 2020 | The World Bank 

• Legal Document

  • Dispositions légales portant mesures exceptionnelles et provisoires visant à mitiger la crise COVID-19 | 23 April 2020 | Tustex

• Multimedia

  • Coronavirus: des Tunisiens inquiets réclament l'aide promise du gouvernement | 31 March 2020 | AFP news

• News Article 

  • EU to Support Tunisian COVID-19 Response with 250 Million Euros | 29 March 2020 | Mubasher News

  • Tomorrow, Tunisia will disburse assistances for the poor to combat COVID-19 Impacts | 30 March 2020 | Mubasher News

  • Tunisie : Versement de 100 dinars à près de 133 mille retraités | 03 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Al Ain News

  • Batinda.gov.tn : 176 mille demandes d’aides exceptionnelles | 23 April 2020 | L'économiste maghrébin

  • Minister of Social Affairs Announces New Mechanism to Distribute Cash Assistance | 23 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Akher Khabar Online

  • Affaires sociales : 1,2 million de demandes d’aide sociale déposées | 24 April 2020 | L'économiste maghrébin

  • Covid-19 : déblocage de la deuxième tranche des aides sociales début mai | 24 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Al Maghreb

  • Tunisia’s Informal Workers Hard-Hit by Coronavirus Lockdown | 01 May 2020 | Inside Arabia

  • Tunisie - Mise en place du portefeuille digital | 05 May 2020 | Business News
  • Promulgué par décret-loi : les détails sur l’Identifiant unique citoyen | 12 May 2020 | Business News
  • Tunisia orders lifting of coronavirus lockdownn | 08 June 2020 | Al Jazeera
  • WFP supports Tunisian government in assisting vulnerable families affected by Covid-19 in Siliana | 13 August 2020 | Relief Web
• Op-Ed
• • Tunisie. Une gestion sécuritaire du Covid-19 au détriment du droit à la santé | 29 April 2020 | Orient XXI
• Social Media
  • A new wave of #CashTransfers was announced on April 19 | 08 May 2020 | International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth
     

Turkey

• Blog

  • Turkey and COVID-19: Don’t forget refugees | 20 April 2020 | 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 2020 | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Gender Gaps in the Care Economy during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey | 06 August 2020 | United Nations Development Programme Turkey
  • The impact of the pandemic on employment in Turkey: What would have happened without COVID-19? | 29 December 2020 | International Labour Organization
  • Beyond unemployment: The impact of the pandemic on hours worked in Turkey | 19 January 2021 | International Labour Organization
  • Cash Assistance In Times of COVID-19: Impacts on refugees living in Turkey | March 2021 | The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [New]

• Mapping

  • COVID-19: Turkish Government Financial Assistance Measures | 09 June 2020 | Lexology

• News Article

  • Turkey Unveils $15.4 Billion Plan to Counter Virus Outbreak | 18 March 2020 | Bloomberg

  • Turkish COVID-19 Solidarity Campaign Led by President Erdogan Reaches more than 130 Million USD | 02 April 2020 | Anadolu Agency

  • 100,000 Families Received Cash Assistance in Istanbul | 05 April 2020 | Anadolu Agency

  • Turkish Religious Authorities: Zakat for COVID-19 Response is Allowed and Encourged | 04 April 2020 | Anadolu Agency

  • Coronavirus: Turkey makes treatment and medicine totally free of charge | 14 April 2020 | Middle East Eye

  • COVID-19 treatment free for Turkish citizens even without social security | 14 April 2020 | Daily Sabah

  • Turkey Passes Bill to Cushion COVID-19 Fallout, Protect Economic, Social Life | 16 April 2020 | Daily Sabah

  • Salary Support Applications for Workers with Unpaid Leave Started | 23 April 2020 | Railly News

  • Turkey determined to leave no family behind amid COVID-19 pandemic | 26 April 2020 | Daily Sabah

  • Turkish Social Aid Program Reached over 6M Households | 17 June 2020 | Anadolu Agency

  • Turkey extends ban on layoffs for 3 more months | 17 June 2020 | Daily Sabah

  • EU approves over $500 million in financial aid for Turkey’s Syrian refugees | 11 July 2020 | 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 2020 | World Food Programme

  • Turkey: targeted support, sustainable macroeconomic policy and structural reforms will strengthen the COVID-19 recovery | 14 January 2021 | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 

• Report

  • Impact of COVID-19 on Refugee Populations Benefitting from the Emergency Social Safety Net Programme | 12 May 2020 | 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 

  • UNICEF Turkey COVID-19 Response End-year Situation Report 2020 | February 2021 | United Nations Children's Fund 
     

Yemen

• Blog
  • Support for community initiatives builds resilience in Yemen  | 24 June 2020 | The World Bank 
• News Article
  • UNHCR: Shortfall threatens critical aid for nearly one million displaced Yemenis and refugees | 28 April 2020 | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • IOM Releases Crisis Appeal to Support over 5.3 Million Yemenis and Migrants | 29 May 2020 | 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 2020 | The World Bank 
     

Regional

• Blog

  • #5 Prioritizing Jobs During COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the Middle East and North Africa | 16 April 2020 | Jobs and Development Partnerships

  • COVID-19 and Cash Transfers in MENA: What’s Possible? | 03 May 2020 | The Cash Learning Partnership
  • COVID-19 (coronavirus): Ensuring continuity of health services in the Middle East and North Africa | 13 May 2020 | The World Bank
  • COVID-19 | How exclusionary social protection systems in the MENA are making the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects worse | 03 March 2021 | International Institute of Social Studies
  • Cash in a COVID-19 crisis: Adapting approaches to assisting Jordan-based refugees | 05 April 2021 | The Cash Learning Partnership [New]

• 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 2020 | Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

  • Impact of COVID-19 on Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon | 28 June 2020 | International Labour Organization

  • Social protection responses to COVID-19 for forcibly displaced persons | November 2020 | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

• Event

  • High-level Meeting to Support Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 in the Arab Region | 24 June 2020 | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

  • MENA Regional Event: Linking Social Protection & Humanitarian Cash Assistance | 28 July 2020 | 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 2020 | 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 2020 | United Nations Children's Fund
  • Middle East- Protecting livelihoods is a must during COVID-19 Response | 04 June 2020 | International Committee of the Red Cross
  • La réponse de la sécurité sociale au COVID-19 : le cas de l‘Afrique du Nord | 09 July 2020 | International Social Security Association
  • Extending Exceptional World Bank Support to the MENA Region Amid Dual Economic Shocks | 20 July 2020 | The World Bank

• Op-Ed 

  • Coronavirus pandemic threatens to plunge millions in Arab region into poverty and food insecurity | 01 April 2020 | UN News

  • Coronavirus In Arab Countries: Passing Storm, Opportunity For Change Or Regional Catastrophe? – Analysis | 12 April 2020 | 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 2020 | Al Jazeera

  • A Slice of Knafeh for Everyone? A Critical Introduction to Universal Basic Income in MENA | 12 June 2020 | 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 2020 | Oxfam 

• Statement

  • COVID-19 makes Gulf Countries' Abuse of Migrant Workers Impossible to Ignore | 30 April 2020 | Amnesty International