Today almost every country across the globe is in combative mode against the COVID-19. As of April 12, 2020, coronavirus has affected more than 1.5 million people and claimed more than lakh of lives.[i] The worst hit countries in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region are Iran, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Iraq.
Countries |
Total confirmed cases |
Total deaths |
Egypt |
1939 |
146 |
Algeria |
1825 |
275 |
Tunisia |
685 |
28 |
Morocco |
1545 |
111 |
Sudan |
19 |
2 |
Libya |
25 |
1 |
Syria |
25 |
2 |
Iraq |
1318 |
72 |
Jordan |
381 |
7 |
Lebanon |
619 |
20 |
Yemen |
1 |
0 |
This is the chart of deaths and infected persons with COVID-19 as of April 12, 2020.[ii]
North Africa: `
Egypt: In Egypt, the first case of COVID-19 was identified on February 14, 2020 on a Nile cruise ship operating in the city of Luxor, which is a famous tourist destination in Egypt. Later, two senior military officials died due to COVID-19 on March 23, 2020. It was reported that the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi went on 14-day quarantine as he had met one of the military official before his death.[iii] There are reports that in the early days of its outbreak, Egypt might have concealed the real number of positive cases fearing that it would hamper the flow of tourists to the country. There is a possibility that the number of infected persons in Egypt may rise rapidly because of the presence of the large number of political prisoners (40,000 to 60,000)[iv] in overcrowded jails in the country. The ghetto colonies of Cairo also provide a fertile space for the virus to grow. The United States (US), France and Canada have held Egypt responsible for the spread of the virus in their respective countries because a large number of tourists returning from Egypt were found to be infected.[v] Amid the rise in the number of cases, Egypt announced to close its mosques and churches nationwide to enforce the social distancing on March 21, 2020.[vi] The house of jurisprudence in Egypt decreed that visiting of mosques was completely illegal in such a situation. Coptic Orthodox Churches (to which majority of the Egyptian Christians belong) announced to shut down the church for two weeks. The government has charted out a comprehensive plan in case of sudden rise in the cases and asked all the provincial hospitals to be well-equipped to deal with all sorts of eventualities. Special screening arrangements have been made for those returning from China[vii] and many cantonment areas are being sanitised.[viii] Egypt has also established a fund, called Long Live Egypt, of worth $ 6.4 billion for tackling the crisis.[ix] The World Bank has announced an aid of $ 7.9 million to fund emergency activities against the coronavirus outbreak.[x]
China has promised all help to the government of Egypt and according to a Chinese news agency, Chinese President in a telephonic conversation told his Egyptian counterpart that both nations would fight this global pandemic together.[xi] It is worth mentioning here that Egypt was the first country to send its health minister to China as a mark of solidarity after the latter reported the outbreak of COVID-19 in last week of December 2019.[xii]
On the economic front, Egypt is likely to incur a high cost because of COVID-19. The most affected sector would be tourism, which is a significant source of revenue. In 2019 only, government had received $ 12.7 billion through tourism.[xiii] This would be largely because of large-scale suspension of flights, restriction on people’s movements and lockdown in several countries. According to Belton Financial, a Securities Brokerage Company, Egypt is expected to incur a loss of around $ 2 to $ 3 billion due to decline in tourism over the next two to three months. Egypt has already lost 70-80% of its tourism revenue and if the epidemic continues for long, Egypt may lose its tourism revenue altogether.[xiv] Amid the COVID-19, the already prevailing economic crisis in the country might get further aggravated due to the deteriorating economic conditions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is a source of around $ 26 billion annual remittance for the country.
Algeria: In Algeria, the first case of COVID-19 was found on February 25, 2020 after an Italian citizen in the country tested positive. Ever since, the cases are constantly on the rise in the country. Around 90% of those found to be tested positive have had the history of recent travels to European countries. On March 23, the government of Algeria decided to impose night curfews and the Supreme Security Council ordered a complete quarantine in the town of Blida, the epicenter of the virus.[xv] The royal regime deployed both police and military forces to enforce these measures.
The spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria has had its political consequences as well. Fears of coronavirus have diminished many political activities in recent weeks. Thousands of those who had been protesting on every Friday against new regime for more than a year have suspended their protests and other political activities have come to a complete halt. The regime is also exploiting the situation for its own gain. A civil society group called “Reporters Without Borders” has alleged that authority is using the situation to crack down the media persons, particularly those who were associated with the anti-regime movement.[xvi]
Tunisia: The first case of COVID-19 in Tunisia came into notice on March 2, 2020 after a youth having a recent travel history to Italy tested positive. On March 13, the country suspended all flights to Italy and ordered mandatory self-isolation for fourteen days for those arriving in the country from abroad. On March 23, 2020, the government imposed nationwide quarantine and half-day curfew and banned smoking pipes. It deployed the army to enforce the curfew and other government measures. It also announced on March 18 to close its land borders with Algeria to prevent further spread of the disease. Tunisia also allowed Algerian citizens to leave the country. In an exceptional move, Tunisian Parliament gave unlimited powers to the Prime Minister to take all decisions in the fight against the COVID-19.[xvii]. Tunisia announced an economic package of $ 850 million to combat the crisis.[xviii]. The finance minister of Tunisia informed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would extend an economic aid of $ 4 million for the same. Like other countries in the region, Tunisia is likely to face severe economic problems in light of the pandemic. At present, it can only cover 26% of its import fee and going ahead it would find itself in a difficult position to create its own resources to fight COVID-19. On the other hand, Tunisia’s trade minister had accused Italy of seizing a shipment of medical alcohol destined for Tunisia from China and same thing happened recently when Czechs reportedly stole a cargo of face masks heading for Italy from China.[xix]
Morocco: The first case of COVID-19 in Morocco was identified on March 2, 2020 in the city of Casablanca. On March 13, the kingdom announced suspension of all flights from Spain and Algeria and on the next day twenty-five other countries were added to the list of banned flights.[xx] It also decided to shut down all schools and ordered online classes. On March 20, 2020, the government announced a nationwide health emergency. Many social activists and political prisoners were released from prisons to prevent its spread in country’s overcrowded prisons.[xxi] Around three thousand elderly persons were put under intense medical observation. According to the sources in the health department around three thousand people who had reportedly mixed with infected persons were sent for quarantine. Medical and pharmaceutical teams have been formed to train people about the illness and to inform the common masses on how and when to use the mask and gloves. The King has warned against showing any abhorrence towards any infected foreigner or Moroccan coming from abroad. After the imposition of the curfew, some Moroccans were seen on the streets defying the curfew to pray for a cure of the virus and some believed it to be a ‘divine test’.
Sudan: The first case of COVID-19 in Sudan was reported on March 13, 2020 and as of April 6, it reached to twelve. Sudanese government took no time to impose restrictions like curfew and ban on all transport services. The sanitisation of market places, roads and transport centers were started. The Secretary General of Higher Council for Guidance, Nail Al-Tahir called for the sanitisation of all mosques as a safety measure for those coming to the mosques.[xxii] The head of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council, General Al-Burhan announced to establish a special national fund to fight the pandemic, where every Sudanese both from within and outside the country could contribute.
Like Syria and Iraq, the health infrastructure in Sudan too has deteriorated in last one or two decades but due to cholera outbreak in its Blue Nile region in last October[xxiii] the government has developed some infrastructure that could help the country in the current situation.
West Asia: The coronavirus has reached to West Asian nations and is having serious impacts on the daily life of the people. The virus is producing changes in the political situation as well, especially in countries like Iraq and Lebanon that have been passing through a new phase of political turmoil.
Lebanon: In Lebanon, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on March 21, 2020 after a Lebanese who returned from Iran was found to have tested positive.[xxiv]According to the latest figure, eighteen Lebanese have died due to COVID-19 and more than five hundred are infected.[xxv]A study published by the American University of Lebanon says that Lebanon can have three million COVID-19 cases in the coming days if people did not adhere to a stringent policy of quarantine.[xxvi] Lebanese government has established a National Anti-Corona Authority to monitor the situation[xxvii] and an advisor with the health ministry said that if the situation went out of control, government may declare a public emergency.
Lebanon is facing double disaster: COVID-19 and economic meltdown. Since the end of the civil war in 1990, the country is faced with the worst economic crisis. A breakdown of the day-today work is further adding to the economic woes of the people. This epidemic has come as an additional blow for the country, where more than two million people are living below the poverty line. One of the economic experts in Lebanon said that the country may lose more than 1.5 % of GDP (around $1 billion) if the pandemic continues for months.[xxviii] The government has announced an additional budget of 15 billion pounds for food.[xxix] Lebanon is likely to face a catastrophic social repercussion, particularly in term of stability in the food prices.
COVID-19 in Lebanon like Iraq and Algeria has affected the ongoing political movements and has stopped political activities that had almost hijacked the national politics for more than a year.[xxx] Prior to the outbreak of the epidemic, large numbers of Lebanese were fighting against political and economic corruption on the streets, but now the focus has shifted completely. The past slogan against corruption has now been replaced with a call for quarantine.[xxxi]
Iraq: Iraq was among the first few countries in the region to have the first case of COVID-19 after an Iraqi returning from Iran tested positive on February 24, 2020 in the city of Najaf. According to the latest figure, 72 people have died and more than 1300 have tested positive.[xxxii]The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iraq, Adham Ismail warned of more cases in next two weeks as rigorous testing is being conducted.[xxxiii]What adds to fear of the spread of the virus is the stack of dead bodies lying in different hospitals. The Islamic jurists and clergies in Iraq have decreed that these bodies could be buried far away from the residential areas.[xxxiv]
Iraq imposed a nationwide curfew and restriction on travel on March 17, 2020 and extended the curfew twice since then. Iraq is likely to have more precarious condition due to lack of social and health protection and the absence of a stable government. It needs to be mentioned that till 1970, the country had one of the best health systems in the region but today it is in ruins because of three decades of sanctions and conflict. In Iraq, social crisis can accentuate due to this disease because of current economic situation. Two-thirds of the population works in the informal sectors, which accounts for 99% of private economy and hence, will be hit hard due to restriction of the movement of common people.[xxxv] People in general, have neither savings nor social security buffer in case they lose their daily wages. The oil sector that accounts for 98% of the state revenue is plagued with deep-rooted corruption and eventually it would have an unprecedented impact in this time of crisis. The current crisis is likely to have political impact as well. The large-scale political protests that began in mid-2019 have shrunk since the arrival of the disease. Several demonstrations have been suspended and political marches have been called off. But for some, the virus has itself become the means of political campaign where people are seen distributing masks and gloves to keep the movement alive.[xxxvi]
Jordan: In Jordan, the first case of coronavirus was identified on March 2, 2020 and even here the infected person was a returnee from Italy. In a span of one month, more than three hundred people have been infected.[xxxvii] In case of Jordan, what has been quite unusual is that many of the infected include children, which are rare in case of other countries. Immediately after the outbreak of the epidemic, all those returning from Italy were asked to go on a 14-day quarantine and later this was extended for all foreign travellers. The government banned travels within the country and ordinary medical services have been suspended. The Prime Minister of Jordan Al-Razzaq announced the creation of a fund to fight the epidemic, where Jordanians living abroad can also contribute. The pharmacist syndicates launched a program to deliver medical facility door to door to encourage people to stay at home. The government has arrested around 2000 people who were reportedly found violating the curfew. The police forces announced that those found breaking the law would be put in quarantine first and later sent for trial.[xxxviii]A media source in Jordan reported that one of the Chinese business giants, Jack Ma has provided a huge consignment of the medical equipment to the government.[xxxix]
COVID-19 in the Conflict Zone: Libya, Yemen and Syria
It is not difficult to assess the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis in war–torn countries like Yemen, Syria and Libya. Years of war and conflict have already exhausted them at all levels, and if the disease spreads, it would be extremely difficult for these countries to contain it especially in light of the situation in Europe where the health system has almost paralysed several countries.
Libya: Libya is reeling under an ongoing conflict between the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the forces loyal to Colonel Mushir Haftar. Amid this, the country reported the first case of COVID-19 on March 24, 2020. The National Centre for Disease Control in Libya informed that eighteen people had tested positive and one person had died and those with positive symptoms were stable.[xl]Today the National Centre for Disease Control in Libya is the only body working in coordination with the WHO to tackle the COVID-19. Like other war-torn countries, Libya too would face difficulty in coming weeks and months. Libya is surrounded by countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria which are severely affected by this coronavirus. Libya is likely to face the biggest challenge from Italy- badly hit by COVID-19, with which Libya shares good economic and commercial relations. Benghazi, in eastern Libya, would be the most affected if Italy has any role to play in the spread of coronavirus there. A health official from Benghazi said that if the virus reaches there, then it will be worse than Italy and Iran. He also added that Libya lacks the basic international standard in dealing with the virus.[xli].
The WHO representative in Libya said that it is difficult to imagine how Libyans would face the spread of COVID-19.[xlii] The United Nations (UN) has already urged the global community to help end all the conflicts in this hour of crisis and stand united to combat the mammoth crisis. The current situation in Libya has become grimmer with the resignation of the UN envoy in Libya, Ghassan Salame. The containment of the COVID-19 would be difficult given the ongoing conflict and obviously the different priorities of political actors on the ground.
At present, Libya has no fear of entry of foreign travellers, because of prevailing security situation in the country, who in most of the cases have been the primary cause of the spread. But at the same time, it has other concerns such as lack of infrastructure and absence of a centralised authority. Many refugee and migrant centers across the country are prone to the spread of virus as these places are over-populated. There are many internally displaced people who are living in ghettos and could be the potential carriers of the virus. One doctor in Tripoli said that ongoing war raises the fear of corona in Libya by 60-70 % and displaced people in crowded shelter are more vulnerable to this infection.[xliii]
The government of Libya has taken many safety measures. Prime Minister Ahmad Sarraj of GNA asked different Libyan embassies abroad to create control rooms to contact Libyans who are working in various countries. He also wrote a letter seeking help of the Chinese government to fight the pandemic. The minister of health, Aqoob called for lesser sports and social gatherings and warned against travelling to the neighboring countries while the parallel government in eastern Libya reportedly took many preemptive measures such as sanitisation in many cities. There are reports that many residents living around Tripoli did not allow the establishment of isolation centers due to fear of spread of virus to their areas. The Central Chambers for Community Heath Emergency has urged the political factions and civil society members to work for national interest.[xliv]
Yemen: The case of Yemen has been very different and the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the southern Yemen amid start of unilateral cease fire to halt the spread of the virus not earlier than April 10, 2020.[xlv] It is worth mentioning here that country at present is fighting many epidemics like cholera, dengue, swine flu, diphtheria, rabies, and malaria, which have already claimed thousands of lives in last few years. Apparently, Yemen has a lesser chance of developing this virus because there is no movement from outside due to closure of sea ports and airports. Though there is no case of COVID-19 at present but Yemen has already taken several measures such as shutting schools, clubs, markets and mosques. With the help of health ministry, WHO has established quarantine facilities in the city of Aden. While first case was reported last week only in Yemen, but there are many who believe that there could be many cases as many people are usual visitors to Egypt and they may be carrying the infection and they would never reveal it.[xlvi]
If this pandemic hits Yemen, it will be difficult for this poor country to contain. Advisories like social distancing and frequent washing of hands would not be easy for Yemenis to follow because the country is already facing many crises and water is one of them. To maintain social distancing among Yeminis would be equally difficult because of their culture of hugging and kissing during their meetings and moreover common gathering of the youth and the elders to have their Khat- a chewing leaf that is a national addiction in Yemen. Yemen does not have the strong culture of public and personal hygiene, which could have prevented its spread. There are other reasons too which might be a catalyst in the spread of this virus. There are many unconventional prisons erected by the government and Houthi rebels, which are full of political prisoners who might be vulnerable to this disease as reported by United Nations Human Right Council.[xlvii] A group of eminent international and regional experts on Yemen called an all parties’ meet to release all prisoners across the country to prevent and mitigate the risk of COVID-19.[xlviii]
The absence of COVID-19 may be a temporary phenomenon but once it spreads, it would be difficult to control because only half of the medical facility is in the state of operation for almost a decade.[xlix] It will not be easy to fight this fatal disease for the country where 80% of the populace (around 24 million) are in need of minimum food to survive.
Syria: Amid the rise of coronavirus in other parts of the region, the first case of COVID-19 in Syria was reported on March 23, 2020. The government first asked the people to go for voluntary quarantine and later threatened that in case of further spread; it would impose compulsory quarantine and would take other strict measures. After the first case, the Syrian government took many measures and decided to shut all schools, hotels, clubs, internet cafés, gyms, and launched a large scale sanitisation program. Public transportation was suspended and movements between the cities were stopped. Syrian officials claim that there was no further positive case in the country but many human right groups believe otherwise because of the arrival of the pilgrims and fighters from Iran and Lebanon. Nesrullah, the Hezbollah chief himself has reportedly told that their cadres are being tested for COVID-19 before being sent to Syria to fight.[l]
One also needs to see the COVID-19 crisis in light of the ongoing conflict in Syria and many fear that President Assad might exploit it for his own political gain. Like Iran and Russia, President Assad has also asked for lifting of the sanctions. One does not know how the volatile political situation on the ground would allow the regime to fight the pandemic. When the health minister of Syria was asked about the preparation of the government to fight the COVID-19, he reportedly said that the Syrian National Army had already cleaned many of the germs on the soil of Syria.[li] This statement created a lot of hue and cry on the social media. Many members of the opposition groups retorted, saying that by ‘germs’, the minister was hinting at the rebels and the opposition forces.[lii]
It will not be easy for the regime to fight this pandemic not just because of dearth of health services in the country but also because of the embedded poverty caused by a decade of war. Today around 83% of Syrians live below the poverty line and it is not in a position to spare additional funds to fight the pandemic. Syria cannot seek the desired economic assistance from global and regional organisations because the international community is itself divided over the political future of President Assad. Iran, its closest ally in the region, may not help it because the latter is itself trapped in this human calamity. Doctors are volunteering themselves to spread awareness about the virus, particularly among the displaced people. Though the WHO has announced to send 1200 testing equipment, but without proper state coordination, it would not be easy for these organisations to work on the ground.
The most common thing among all these three war-torn countries is that they all are mostly free of foreigners, as very few are traveling due to the day-to-day conflicts. As far as issue of social distancing is concerned, these countries are already adhering to it not because of personal choice or in compliance of heath advisory but because the conflict on the streets does not allow people to assemble or roam around freely. People also know that the health systems are in a deplorable condition and precautionary measures are the only way out for them.
Conclusion:
In light of the above narratives, it can be inferred that countries in WANA region are each facing their own different set of problems. The situation in war-torn countries like Libya and Syria is different from that in Algeria and Morocco. But there is one common thread running through these countries: the economic plight of the masses, political instability and absence of legitimate authority, which are all adding to their woes. Libya, Yemen and Syria seem to be completely exhausted and have almost become failed states due to years of war. In case of a sudden rise in coronavirus numbers, it would be difficult for them to manage not only because of poor health infrastructure but also lack of will on the part of people as they have been trapped for years in a vicious cycle of crisis, which in some ways is no less than the COVID-19 crisis. Another commonality among all these countries is that most of the first cases of COVID-19 have been found among those with travel history to Europe. As far as responses of the governments are concerned, almost every country has followed the WHO advisories, but some like Jordan and Algeria have resorted to more stringent measures. Algeria decided at an early stage to go for complete lockdown while Jordan called for judicial trial of those who broke the rules. The regimes in the region do not enjoy the level of public support as is being witnessed in other parts of the world. There is a trust deficit between the people and their governments, which has become more visible over the last decade. When it comes to global aid which is much needed at the moment, very few countries have either received or been promised; some are war-torn and global financial institutions have no idea on how to assist them.
As far as the economic consequences of COVID-19 are concerned, the Arab world cannot escape the global economic slowdown; the IMF having declared that the world has entered into an exceptional phase of economic recession.The United Nation Economic and Social Commission for West Asia has reported that because of this epidemic, the Arab world would lose around 1.7 million jobs in 2020 and there would be a total loss of GDP worth $ 42 billion in 2020. The report added that the service sector, a major source of employment in the region, would be the most affected by social distancing.[liii]There is no Central Arab Bank which could pump money to its member states to address their economic needs. Hence, given the dependence on international financial institutions, many Arab countries are likely to face economic crises and the lockdown will affect a large segment of people associated with the unorganised sectors of the economy. The cancellation of the World Economic Expo scheduled for October 2020 in Dubai and the possibility of cancellation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup can be expected to further damage an already staggering economy of the region.
One also does not know if the governments there have any blueprint to fight the pandemic and plans to offer economic assistance to the daily wagers in case of extension of the curfew and lockdown. If the current phase of quarantine and curfew continues for long, Arab streets might witness the bread riots of the past. In countries like Lebanon and Yemen, it is difficult for people to choose between death by starvation or coronavirus. What further differentiates the capacity and mechanism of combating COVID-19 between the West and the WANA region is the difference in their social and economic structures, which would naturally have its own implications.
*****
*Dr. Fazzur Rahman Siddiqui, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i]WHO Situation Report-83, of April 12 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3bgJgxK April 13, 20200
[ii] WHO Situation Report-83, of April 12 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3bgJgxK April 13, 2020
[iii]Egypt’s El-Sisi Quarantined, Middle East Eye, March 23, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2xwm1kA March 29 2020
[iv]David Hearst, Denial, Fear ad Dictatorship: Egypt’s Corona Virus Disaster, Middle East Eye, March 19, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2WQLG1T March 23, 2020
[v]Virus Spreading among top bosses, Khalij Online, March 24, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2xxhKgN, March 29, 2020
[vi]Egypt Religious Authority Says Performing Prayers in Mosque Despite Ban is Forbidden in Islam, Ahram English Online, March 22, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/3an7Nkt March 27, 2020
[vii]Mohammad Khalil, Three Scenarios in Egypt to Fight COVID19, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal, March 30,2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2wPXHdv April 3 2020
[viii]Mohammad Khalil, Three Scenarios in Egypt to Fight COVID19, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal, March 30,2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2wPXHdv April 3 2020
[ix]David Hearst, Denial, Fear ad Dictatorship: Egypt’s Corona Virus Disaster, Middle East Eye, March 19, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2WQLG1T March 23, 2020
[x]The World Bank has given US $ 7.9 million to Egypt, Ahram English Online, April 3, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2UHwzGK April 3, 2020
[xi]China Promises All Helps to Egypt, Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, March 23, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3avh89O March 25
[xii]David Hearst, Denial, Fear and Dictatorship: Egypt’s Corona Virus Disaster, Middle East Eye, March 19, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2WQLG1T March 23, 2020
[xiii] Egypt Tourism Revenue , Trading Economics, Accessed https://bit.ly/2Rnf4t4 April 9, 2020
[xiv]Safeya Mounir, Two Sides of the Virus, Ahram English Online, March 19, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2QTBl1z March 25, 2020
[xv]Partial shut down in Algeria, France 24, March 24 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3aMas7u April 4 2020
[xvi]Authority using corona to settle its own score, France March 29, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/2Rbjovs April 4 2020
[xvii]Tunisian Parliament Gives Unlimited Power to its PM. Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, April 4 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/2XgiKk3 April 5 2020
[xviii]Tunisia to receive US $ 4miilon form IMF to fight Covid-19, Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, March 23, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bz7qn6 March 30 2020
[xix]Tunisia Accuses Italy of Confiscating Medical Alcohol, Middle East Monitor, March 25, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/34r0nL0 March 28, 2020
[xx]Coronavirus Pandemic in Morocco , https://bit.ly/2UZFRwH
[xxi] Moroccan King issue order to authorities regarding COVD 19 Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, March 29, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/344J1n3 March 29, 2020
[xxii]Sudan New Agency, April 3 , 20202 accessed https://bit.ly/2JO3OC1 April 3, 20202
[xxiii]After containing cholera: How Sudan will fight COVID-19, Sky News (Arabic), April 2, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNaX1d April 4 2020
[xxiv]SahiJammal, Lebanon between Corona and Economic meltdown, Al-Majallah , An Arabic Weekly Journal March 27, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNcjJl April 4 2020
[xxv]WHO Situation Report-75, of April 5 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bV2t8q April 6 2020
[xxvi]SahiJammal, Lebanon between Corona and Economic meltdown, Al-Majallah , An Arabic Weekly Journal March 27, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNcjJl April 4 2020
[xxvii]Sahi Jammal, Lebanon between Corona and Economic meltdown, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal March 27, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNcjJl April 4 2020
[xxviii]Sahi Jammal, Lebanon between Corona and Economic meltdown, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal March 27, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNcjJl April 4 2020
[xxix]Sahi Jammal, Lebanon between Corona and Economic meltdown, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal March 27, 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bNcjJl April 4 2020
[xxx] Maurizio Coppola, COVID-19 in Iraq: Yen Virus of Social Inequality, Open Democracy, April 1 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/34gosEc April 4 2020
[xxxi] Kamal Khalaf, Can Arab World Adopt to the Pandemic in Face of Hunger Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, March 23, 2020, Accessedhttps://bit.ly/2UL4PQg March 29, 2020
[xxxii]WHO Situation Report-75, of April 5 2020 , Accessed https://bit.ly/3bV2t8q April 6 2020
[xxxiii]Iraq Denies Coronavirus News Report, suspends Reuter’s license, Aljazeera April3, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/3dZT29h April 5 , 2020
[xxxiv]Spread of coronavirus in Iraq due to piling of bodies in hospitals, Aljazeera Arabic, March 26 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/2X7bK9d April 4 2020
[xxxv]Maurizio Coppola, COVID-19 in Iraq: Yen Virus of Social Inequality, Open Democracy, April 1 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/34gosEc April 4 2020
[xxxvi]Maurizio Coppola, COVID-19 in Iraq: Yen Virus of Social Inequality, Open Democracy, April 1 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/34gosEc April 4 2020
[xxxvii] Jordan Health Ministry, April 2, 2020, Accessed https://corona.moh.gov.jo/ar April 4 , 2020
[xxxviii]King of Jordan Addresses his People, Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, March 23, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/2w0tzM0 March 27, 2020
[xxxix]Jordan King Thanks Jack Ma, Rail Youm, An Arabic Daily, April 4, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3aRWp0o April 5, 20202
[xl]Corona: Latest Statistics Around the World, Al Jazeera Arabic, April 3, 2010 Accessed https://bit.ly/2UBPMcC April 3 2020
[xli]Can Libya Win Over the Corona, Al-Arabi-AL-Jadeed, An Arabic Daily, March 19, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3aHS8ML April 3, 2020
[xlii]Libya Battles Escalates as Corona Virus Arrive sin the Country, Al Jazeera English, March 26, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/344sb7P March 28, 2020
[xliii]Libyan hospital are unequipped to fight COVID-19, Al-Arabiya, An Arabic Daily, April 1 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/2JCdLSI April 3 2020
[xliv]Can Libya Win Over the Corona, Al-Arabi-Al-Jadeed, An Arabic Daily, March 19, 2020, Accessed https://bit.ly/3aHS8ML April 3 2020
[xlv]Yemen confirms first coronavirus case , braces for outbreak, Aljazeera English , April 10 , 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/3a1VUj2 April 12, 2020 2020
[xlvi]Corona at the door of Yemen, Khalij online, An Arabic Portal, March 22, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/2X2BzqV April 3 , 2020
[xlvii]Houthi Prisons are Vulnerable to COVID-19, Al-Hurrah, An Arabic Daily, March 31, 2020 Accessed https://arbne.ws/39EfjpS April 3 2020
[xlviii]Human Rights Experts Call for Immediate Release of all Yemeni Prisoners, United National Human Right Council, Accessed https://bit.ly/2RbdMkW April 3, 2020
[xlix] Corona Virus in War-Stricken Arab Countries, BBC Arabic, April 2 2020, Accessed https://bbc.in/2JEL2MY April 3 2020
[l]Aliya Mansour, Corona: New Means for of Exploit Syrians, Al-Majallah, An Arabic Weekly Journal, March 30, 2020 Accessed https://bit.ly/39A42a1, April 3, 2002
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