New COVID-19 Cases Spike in Iraq, Kurdistan // FAI ONLINE

An Iraqi soldier stops a vehicle at a checkpoint in Baghdad's Sadr City (Credit: AFP)

Almost 800 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in greater Iraq on Wednesday, including over 100 new cases in the autonomous Kurdistan region. The startling figure represents the largest single-day increase since the beginning of the global pandemic in February, bringing the total number of infections in the beleaguered nation to over 8000, including over 250 deaths..

Over 60% of new Iraqi cases of the deadly virus were recorded in and around the capital of Baghdad. Te majority of new infections in the Kurdistan region were recorded in Duhok and Sulemaniya provinces, which border Turkey and Iran, where the epidemic has run rampant. A renewed lockdown was hastily ordered two days ago as Kurdish officials reported COVID-19 facilities were reaching capacity. The governor of Erbil province offered free facemasks to the public on Wednesday, mandating that they should be worn outside the home.

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FAI has teams on the ground throughout Kurdistan, partnering with authorities and residents for medical care, education, aid distribution and more.

Despite the spike in cases, Iraqi citizens took to the street across the country in renewed protests against government corruption. The new unity government in Baghdad has been hailed by the international community, but the pandemic has prevented it from making progress on critical issues, including the passage of a 2020 budget. Political deadlock, combined with the economic downturn as a result of COVID-19, have had disasterous effects on civil employees in the Kurdistan region, many of whom have not been paid for months.

After a brief respite, FAI field teams in Kurdistan have been thrust back into the throes of pandemic relief. The challenge is daunting, but our relationship with local Kurdish authorities and communities throughout the region have presented us with another golden opportunity to be the light of Jesus in a troubled land. We invite our global family to join us in prayer and intercession for the people of Kurdistan; and to partner with us in our labor by clicking the link above.

Maranatha.