Parliament to Call Trade Ministry Over Food Aid Card Registration

ANBAR, Iraq — Iraq's parliament plans to summon Ministry of Trade officials during the next legislative session to discuss the registration of children on food assistance cards, according to State Law Coalition MP Ibtisam al-Hilali. Al-Hilali said families with more than two children face difficulties registering additional dependents in the card system. She noted that many children born after 2020 remain outside the database due to bureaucratic procedures and some assistance centers not accepting applications. The Ministry of Trade launched an electronic enrollment program for children under 12 in 2025. Al-Hilali acknowledged the service but said the speed of processing applications has not kept pace with demand. Al-Hilali added that citizens' card separation and transfer operations will also be addressed during the session. The Ministry previously announced a few months ago the launch of an electronic re-registration service for children under 12.