Archive for month: March, 2020

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a video conference call meeting with members of his cabinet today.

The Prime Minister, and his deputy Qubad Talabani, spoke with ministers regarding the health authorities’ latest progress on combating the coronavirus, the government’s current and upcoming plans concerning the pandemic, and the implications on the Kurdistan Region’s economy following a drop in world oil prices.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked all government agencies, together with the health and law enforcement authorities, for their tireless work and dedication in keeping people safe. He stressed the importance of a continued supply of essentials to meet people’s daily needs and ensure food security.

The meeting also discussed the work of the Food and Medicine Committee, a reduction in public expenses and the importance of continued cooperation with the federal government.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region Iraqi (GOV.KRD) – In a statement on Sunday, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged people to stay at home, follow the precautionary measures of the Health and Interior Ministries concerning the coronavirus, and keep themselves, their families and the people of the Kurdistan Region safe.

Full statement:

I ask everyone to follow the instructions of both the Health and Interior Ministries in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Despite previous warnings and the government’s strict measures, some people still continue to violate the regulations. They are not only putting their own lives at risk. They are also risking the lives of their relatives, and their fellow citizens in the Kurdistan Region.

Unfortunately, the number of infected cases in the Kurdistan Region as a whole, and Sulaimaniyah Province in particular, is rising. The reasons include lack of cooperation with relevant government agencies, and the violation of preventative measures by some people, especially at border crossings.

No personal interest justifies risking your own life, and other people’s lives. I therefore ask the relevant agencies to be more rigorous in implementing the government’s measures, and to take action against anyone who does not follow them.

I hope that our citizens are taking the threat of this pandemic seriously. The government will continue doing everything it can to protect people. However, we need to work together.

The capacity of the Kurdistan Region’s health system is limited, so it’s important to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Any negligence could have catastrophic consequences. Consequently, all individuals and parties should put aside their personal interests and make public wellbeing their priority, as no one is exempt from the consequences of this pandemic.

I urge the people of the Kurdistan Region to follow the government’s health instructions. I encourage you to stay at home, reduce contact with other people and avoid travelling anywhere.

I would like to thank the people of the Kurdistan Region for their resilience and applaud the health teams, doctors and nurses who are at the forefront of fighting this pandemic. I must also thank our law enforcement agencies, municipalities, electricity providers and all other service departments for working round the clock to save people’s lives and enforce the preventative measures.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today chaired a special meeting to assess the implementation of the government’s regulations and preventative measures against the coronavirus and the overall economic situation. The meeting also reviewed people’s needs in terms of food, medicine and fuel.

On the health front, the Prime Minister conducted a video conference with the relevant authorities.

During the meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Prime Minister Barzani praised the Kurdistan people’s resilience, and encouraged them to continue abiding by the rules and regulations set in place for public safety.

Prime Minister Barzani also praised government agencies, police, security and Peshmerga forces, as well as medical teams, for their ceaseless efforts to contain the coronavirus.

He also thanked investors and business owners who answered the government’s call to ease financial burdens on the general public.

At the meeting, it was decided to establish national assistance and fundraising campaigns under the direct supervision of the Council of Ministers. All collected funds will be fairly and transparently allocated across the region’s cities, towns and districts. This new plan will encompass individual and localised efforts already underway. Prime Minister Barzani called on the Federal Government of Iraq and the international community to assist the Kurdistan Region in this regard.

The finance, interior and Peshmerga ministries, together with the security forces, were tasked with establishing a convenient mechanism to pay Peshmerga, police and security forces salaries, in accordance with anti-coronavirus rules and regulations.

As part of implementing the government’s reform agenda, public finances will be overhauled and expenses reduced.

The KRG will continue working with the Federal Government towards guaranteeing the Kurdistan region’s budgetary share and constitutional rights.

The meeting concluded with plans for a special meeting on oil and gas, to study the reorganization of the sector’s revenues, its current financial situation and the coronavirus’ negative impact on world oil markets.

My fellow citizens,

Today I want to speak to you directly about our response to combatting the coronavirus outbreak.

First, I want to thank you for complying with the public measures and advice in recent weeks put in place for your well-being. Your support and understanding are crucial to containing the spread of the virus.

I also want to thank the ministerial committee tasked with combatting the corona virus and other relevant authorities for their efforts not only to protect citizens, but in addressing citizens’ everyday supply needs. I also thank the Ministry of Interior, police and security services, and municipal bodies, as well as the Ministry of Health for their continued efforts in the field, day and night, in the service of the citizens. My thanks also go to the field and medical teams in the frontlines risking their lives for our safety.

It is clear that the Kurdistan Region, alongside the rest of the world, faces an unprecedented threat.

The Kurdistan Regional Government was one of the first in the world to take protective and health measures. We put in place an early emergency budget and immediately took steps to contain and delay the virus as soon as the danger became apparent, for instance by closing schools and universities, and cutting back and in some cases suspending government bodies; restricting border crossing movements; limiting public events and gatherings, and enforcing strict temperature controls at borders and airports. After assessing the situation, we have now restricted movements between provinces in Kurdistan and with the rest of Iraq. We are now at a stage where it is necessary to further restrict movements within cities and towns.

My fellow citizens,

We will do everything possible for your safety. These measures are in your interests. Restricting movement is for the sake of limiting physical contact and to locate those who are believed to have contracted the virus in order to prevent further spread.

We have an obligation to you, and you have an obligation to yourselves, your family and other citizens. But if we all — as government and citizens – across the Kurdistan Region, help each other and abide by the public advice, we can stop the further spread of this pandemic. The sooner we can do that, the quicker we can restore order.

This pandemic, which has spread to 100 countries globally and has now reached Kurdistan, has already taken a toll. There have been 28 confirmed cases and one citizen has died. I send my condolences to the family and wish the others a speedy recovery.

Unfortunately, I must say that the negative consequences of this pandemic will become apparent in the days to come. But having said that, we can each play a role to significantly reduce the spread of the virus. I urge you to abide by the Ministry of Health advice; continue to wash your hands regularly and reduce your physical contact with others and stay at home as much as possible. If you notice symptoms, call the dedicated emergency helpline on 122 for assistance.

My fellow citizens

Both the immediate threat to our people’s health, as well as the subsequent risks to our economy, are very real. But we have faced far worse threats in the past, overcoming tyranny and terror, and we have succeeded. I am certain this time too, by helping each other and abiding by the public health advice, we can together get through this difficult chapter.

I also take this opportunity to call on government bodies and property owners to take into consideration this situation and the impact on rent, so we can share the burden together and alleviate the impact.

The Kurdistan Regional government will continue to work on our response to the coronavirus and its impacts on our economy. We will not hesitate to take decisions necessary for the well-being of the Kurdistani peoples, and I urge all the political parties to rally behind us.

The government bodies will keep you updated at every step in the coming days.

Thank you for your support and steadfastness. I wish you all continued safety.

Towards a stronger and prosperous Kurdistan.

https://vimeo.com/397686289

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 7, 2020

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani extends his best wishes to women in Kurdistan and around the world in a statement released on the eve of the International Women’s Day. Below is the full statement:

On the International Women’s Day, I would like to congratulate women in Kurdistan and around the world. I also congratulate all public and non-governmental organizations, institutions and activists who have had decisive roles in protecting the rights of women in Kurdistan and promoting gender equality. I wish them continued success in their work.

Women in Kurdistan have always had an influential role in different aspects of the struggle in the past. Today, they continue to have an active role in all the institutions of the Kurdistan Region. The increased role of women in all sectors is an important indicator of the strength of the principles of gender equality in Kurdistan.

Women have been the main victims of violence; especially in the wars and tragedies that have befallen our people. Nevertheless, no tragic event has ever been able to deprive Kurdistan’s women of their dignity, nor has it been able to shake their will, honor or resilience.

In the Kurdistan Region, we have always considered equality and women rights as human rights and principles of democracy, and we have taken concrete steps in that regard. It is imperative that this view of equality and the rights of women is reflected in the curriculum of all grades in our schools.

I would also like to take the opportunity to draw the attention of my fellow citizens to a pressing issue. It is our common duty and responsibility to protect ourselves and our community from coronavirus and prevent its spread in the Kurdistan Region.

As we appreciate the relentless efforts of all relevant authorities in containing the outbreak, I would also like to encourage all my fellow citizens to help implement and follow the preventive measures regarding the coronavirus and see it as their human, patriotic and religious duty to protect themselves and others from infection.

Once again, I extend my congratulations on the International Women’s Day and salute all heroic women of our nation who sacrificed their lives for our country and the rights of our people.