Iraq Blocks 1.85 Million Names from Food Ration Cards Amid Digital Overhaul

AP

Cooking oil and other food.

Iraq’s Ministry of Trade has removed approximately 1.85 million names from the national food ration card system as part of an ongoing effort to eliminate duplicate, fictitious, deceased, or ineligible beneficiaries as part of the country’s transition from paper-based ration cards to an electronic platform aimed at improving transparency and efficiency.

Talib Hassan Nemah, Director General of the Ministry’s Planning and Follow-up Department, told Al Sabah that the transition from paper-based ration cards to electronic cards has already resulted in the removal of 1.85 million names from the system due to duplication, death, or citizens travelling abroad.

“The number of citizens who have updated their data now stands at 34.5 million out of 42 million registered in the food ration system,” Nemah said. He added that the ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, plans to issue unified cards for the remaining beneficiaries.

The initial rollout will cover Baghdad, Maysan, Diwaniyah, Wasit, Saladin, Anbar, Diyala, Muthanna, Babil, and Kirkuk, with five additional governorates to be incorporated in a later phase. 

Nemah confirmed that the ministry aims to complete the electronic ration card update by the final quarter of 2025, with the current completion rate already reaching 85%.
 
The new electronic system will enable families to receive their food rations without the need to visit ration centres, while activating the role of agents in direct electronic distribution, thereby streamlining the process and improving accessibility.

Nemah also highlighted ongoing efforts to verify beneficiary eligibility. “In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, we are re-examining documents to ensure that only eligible individuals receive rations, especially as the unified card issuance rate approaches 97 percent,” he said.

He further clarified that the ministry is also preparing to launch the second phase of the electronic ration card project, which will introduce additional services such as transfer, cancellation, unblocking, and the addition of beneficiaries.



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