nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  It should be noted that in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor that the positivity rate increased over the course of the month and the positivity rate over the past seven days was over 30% in both governorates, implying that the spike in cases may have originated in Hassakeh from individuals crossing into NES from KRI and then through trade and travel around NES spread from Hassakeh into other areas.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  As part of the COVAX platform, NES is slotted to receive 90,000 vaccines in the first allocation, and up to 900,000 over the course of one year in order to reach 2% of the population from the first allocation, and 20% of the population over the entire COVAX process. Eligible individuals for vaccination from COVAX will be frontline health and humanitarian workers, individuals over 55 years old, and individuals with comorbidities between 18 55 years old.
[ Jan 2020 2021, Overall Syria ]  Over the course of 2020, the Syrian Pound has lost 157 percent of its value. Even more troubling is that it has continued its downward trajectory and shows no sign of regaining value.
[ 12 April 2021, GoS ]  The pound's surge began two weeks ago after the Central Bank of Syria told banks last week to cap withdrawals at 2 million pounds  ( 572 dollars )  from an earlier limit of 15 million pounds. The Central Bank also acted to curb the movement of cash within provinces to up to 5 million pounds and imposed a ceiling of up to one million pounds on transfers within government held areas to reduce the demand for dollars.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Challenges related to the provision of CRIs  ( core relief items )  included the local currency depreciation, market price fluctuation, as well as logistic obstacles in international shipment due to the global COVID19 pandemic.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  Broken down by regions, the cross border region reported the highest price of diesel for heating at SYP 1,650 /litre  ( up 16 percent m o m ) , while northeast Syria reported the lowest price at SYP 783/litre  ( up 27 percent m o m ) .
[ 1 8th February 2021 NWS ]  The cost of the regional SMEB food component reached 244,765 SYP in February, a 8% increase since January and a 59% increase since August 2020. The fresh food/vegetable component of the SMEB increased by 18% since January. The price of cucumbers increased by 27%, potatoes increased by 18%, green peas increased by 7% and tomatoes remained at the same price as in January, contributing to a 234% price increase for the fresh vegetable component since August 2020. According to REACH field teams, this trend is primarily a result of decreased availability of locally grown warm weather produce and increased reliance on more expensive, imported produce, as well as due to increasing transport fuel prices and the further depreciation of the SYP.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The value of the Syrian pound continued to weaken steadily, seemingly exacerbated by the decline of the currency in neighboring Lebanon. In March 2021, the Syrian pound depreciated by a further 18 percent month on month in the informal exchange rate market, reaching an average SYP 3,972/USD. The highest week of national average informal exchange rate was recorded during the third week of March at SYP 4,427/USD. On 22 March 2021, the Syrian Central Bane raised the preferential exchange rate for international humanitarian organizations to SYP 2,500/USD. The official exchange rate remained unchanged at SYP 1,250/USD.
[ 1 8 February 2021, NES ]  The median price of Covid 19 items in Northeast Syria: 400 SYP for face masks per piece, 21,250 SYP for plastic gloves per box of 100 pieces, 8,000 SYP for sterile alcohol per litre, 4,000 SYP for hand sanitizer per 500ml, 1,500 for bottled bleach per litre and 3,000 SYP for trash bags per roll of 300.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  84 percent of returnees own their current shelter, 8 percent are hosted for free, 7 percent are renting, and 1 percent are squatting. Of note, 3 percent of returnees are currently living in damaged shelters.
[ 1 8th February 2021 NWS ]  Bulk food prices also increased by 10% overall since January, again due to the higher cost of imported items, rising fuel costs, and unstable exchange rates against the USD. REACH field teams also reported that this trend may be due to the lack of bulk/dried food distributions by organizations, in addition to the increase in demand and consumption due to the lack of alternative food products in the winter season. The price of bread  ( bag of 8 pieces )  also increased by 5% since December, reaching a regional median of 800 SYP. Increasing bread prices are primarily due to a similar rise in the price of flour  ( 6% increase since January ) , a product which is in short supply in the region and for which import prices are dependent on fluctuating exchange rates, according to REACH field teams. Additionally, high prices were also recorded for other SMEB food items such as chicken, the price of which decreased by 3% since January but has increased by 41% since August 2020, due to a combination of factors including SYP depreciation and the limited availability of locally raised chicken. For similar reasons, the price of eggs increased by 9% since January and by 91% since August 2020.
[ March 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 related barriers to access to services were reported: 0% reported Access to markets was reportedly hindered because markets reduced opening hours or days because of COVID 19.
[ 13 April 2021, NES ]  Critical shortages related to COVID 19 medical services continue to be reported, especially in sub districts under Syrian Democratic Forces  ( SDF )  control where 94 percent of sub districts report insufficient testing provision, quarantine space for diagnosed cases, and insufficient isolation and monitoring space for suspected cases.
[ March 2021, GoSyria ]  The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources also announced an increase in the prices of 95 Octane gasoline  ( from SYP 1,350 to SYP 2,000 per liter )  and 90 Octane gasoline  ( subsidized from SYP 450 to SYP 750 per liter and non subsidized from SYP 650 to SYP 750 per liter ) , de facto eliminating the price difference between subsidized and non subsidized gasoline. All petrol had to be sold only via the smart card system according to individual allocations of quantities. In addition, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced an increase in the subsidized price of the 10 eg domestic butane gas cylinder  ( from SYP 2,700 to SYP 3,850 ) .
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Between February and March 2021, the national average reduced Coping Strategy Index  ( rCSI )  increased from 19.8 to 21.0, marking the highest national average level recorded since 2020. In March 2021, nine out of ten interviewed households reported applying at least one food based coping mechanism to meet their food consumption needs, an increase of 11 percent since March 2020, with a higher proportion among female headed households  ( 95 percent )  compared to male headed households  ( 89 percent ) . As food prices continued to skyrocket throughout Syria, almost 84 percent of interviewed households nationwide reported having already depleted their savings. The further erosion of the purchasing power pushed a high proportion of households to buy food on credit. In March 2021, 73 percent of surveyed households across Syria reported that they bought food on credit  ( an increase of three percentage points from a month earlier and up by 11 percent since March 2020 ) , with peaks recorded in Al Hasakeh  ( 82 percent )  and Ar Raqqa  ( 82 percent ) .
[ 13 April 2021, GoS and NWS ]  These very significant increases in mitigation measures across SDF areas were not seen under other areas of control, where the implementation of mitigation measures remained very low. All sub districts under the control of Non State Armed Groups and Turkish Backed Armed Forces  ( NSAG & TBAF ) , along with 99 percent of the sub districts under the control of Government of Syria  ( GoS )  reported an absence of total and partial curfews, as well as community lockdowns. Some small increases in other mitigation measures were found in GoS areas, where 2 percent of sub districts reported the closure of public spaces, compulsory mask wearing, and social distancing regulations  ( none of these measures were reported in the last reporting period ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  Access to Water: 61% of communities where KIs reported that not all households had access to sufficient water. Piped water network was the most commonly reported source of drinking water  ( reported by KIs in 40% of communities )
[ June 2021, Overall Syria ]  This trend of poor and borderline food consumption was higher among female headed households  ( 54 percent ) , with an increase of 23 percent month on month, compared to male headed households  ( 42 percent ) .
[ MAR 2021, SDF ]  The top three type of shelter for returnees are 94%   finished buildings and 6% damaged buildings.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  In many areas of NES contact tracing is no longer being carried out by the authorities. Despite this, the COVID Task Force recommends that NGOs continue to carry out internal contact tracing where positive cases are confirmed among staff members. NGOs may also wish to include the new criteria applied by the CDC as of 21 October which also includes people who come into close contact with infected individuals in multiple short bursts over 24 hour period  ( e.g. a cumulative 15 minutes over a 24 hour period ) .
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES, NWS, GoS ]  As in previous months, high quality transport fuels were reported widely unavailable in assessed markets due to increased demand and fuel smuggling between NES and Government of Syria  ( GOS )  held areas, as well as northwest Syria. 87% of fuel vendors reported that high quality diesel was not available in their market while 69% reported the same regarding high quality petrol.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  Covid 19 Task Force has advocated that where essential health workers are in self quarantine and not displaying symptoms, a PCR test should be administered after 7 days. If the test returns negative, essential health workers can return to work. While there always remains a risk of a false negative, PCR tests are most likely to detect COVID 19 7 8 days after exposure. Accelerated testing for health workers is essential to minimize disruption to essential health services.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  There is an established public hotline to report symptoms and subsequently receive a PCR test  ( assuming doctor has diagnosed a case as suspect ) . As with all other members of the community, NGO staff should also report symptoms and get tested through this mechanism or through consultation  ( by phone )  with the COVDI 19 Hotline. Under no circumstance should NGOs or NGO staff use personal contacts with the laboratory, SA or other health workers to circumvent this hotline process, expedite test or receive a test if they do not meet the suspect case criteria.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  All staff should self isolate for a minimum 13 days  ( 10 days plus 3 days without symptoms )  from when symptoms start/ until better. This includes staff who develop symptoms after testing positive for COVID 19. If a staff member does not have symptoms but tests positive for COVID 19 they should self isolate for 13 days from when they were tested. For those staff in self isolation, discharge from self isolation will be decided by a health professional and must follow completion of a minimum of 13 days self isolation  ( 10 days plus 3 days without symptoms ) .
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  Testing capacity is limited to 1 laboratory in Qamishli, with 2 PCR machines operational  ( being increased to 7 ) . The laboratory is open at least 5 days per week and conducting on average between 200 and 500 tests per day. Extensive testing of all contacts of confirmed cases/ people in self quarantine is not possible nor is random testing/ community screening of people ‘just in case'. Testing stocks remain precariously low. With NGO support the laboratory as of April 2021 there is less than one month of Laboratory testing supplies. The NES Forum nor COVID 19 Task Force will not be advocating for a special arrangement for NGO staff to receive tests. NGO staff must comply with the 13 day self quarantine period set by the SA  ( Self Isolation and Self Quarantine Advice ) .
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  With 80% of the Syrian population estimated to be living below the poverty line, access to long term sustainable water networks that enhance self recovery and self reliance is key for reducing communities' dependency on emergency aid.
[ June 2021, GoS & NES ]  Month on month, all governorates recorded an increasing average rate of inadequate food consumption in June 2021, except Ar Raqqa and As Sweida. However, 53 percent of surveyed households in Ar Raqqa and 20 percent of respondents in As Sweida reported poor or borderline food consumption this month. This indicates that the slight improvement observed in May was temporary and related to the holy month of Ramadan and Eid AlFitr festivities.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  In most areas of NES contact tracing has been halted. However, staff considered ‘close contacts' of a confirmed case should still self quarantine. In addition, where a member of the household has been confirmed as positive the whole of the household should self quarantine.
[ June 2021, GoS ]  In June 2021, the highest monthly increase of interviewed households with inadequate food consumption was detected in Rural Damascus  ( up by 17 percentage points )  and Lattakia  ( up by 17 percentage points ) .
[ JAN   MARCH 2021 ]  From 2021 23,244  ( 89% )  returned from within Syria, top 3 governorates of displacement are Aleppo   32%, Idleb   30% and Rural Damascus   12%.
[ 18 APR 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry added that the total number of infections registered in the country reached up to 21,004 infections, of which 14,721 recovered and 1,437 passed away.
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Ongoing fuel shortages, was further exacerbated with the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures that grinded most labour to a halt in 2020. Fuel shortages also increase transportation and agricultural costs, raising prices of the basic commodities people rely on.
[ 30 April 2021, NES ]  On 29 April 2021 morning, AANES extended the partial lockdown for a week in its areas of control starting on 30 April 2021. The decision of the co presidency of the AANES's Executive Council provided that public facilities, markets, schools and universities, institutes, kindergartens, and cafes will be closed, and restaurants will be limited to deliveries only. Wedding venues, funeral tents, places of worship, and all types of gatherings will be closed during the lockdown period.
[ 16 APR 2021, NES ]  As per the SA guidance, all people told to self quarantine should stay in self quarantine for 13 days  ( the estimated maximum incubation period of COVID 19 ) . These staff may undergo daily medical screening  ( either by phone or in person )  through the established contact tracing mechanism and will be expected to report new symptoms. Contacts who remain asymptomatic after 13 days of last exposure will be permitted to leave self quarantine  ( with the exemption for frontline health workerssee above ) .
[ June 2021, Overall Syria ]  14 percent of surveyed households in Syria reported poor food consumption, up by three percentage points from May 2021 and representing an increase by half the level recorded in June 2020.
[ June 2021, GoS & NES ]  This trend of poor food consumption was much higher in Ar Raqqa  ( 29 percent ) , an increase of nine percentage points from the level recorded a month earlier. The highest monthly increase of interviewed households reporting poor food consumption was recorded in Rural Damascus  ( up by 12 percentage points )  and Homs  ( up by 10 percentage points ) , reaching 15 percent and 16 percent, respectively, in June 2021.
[ July 2021, Overall Syria ]  The informal national average price of transport diesel increased by 29 percent m o m and by 340 percent since July 2020 reaching SYP 2,086/litre. The informal price remains four times higher than the formal price  ( SYP 376/litre )
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Most commonly reported coping strategies for a lack of food  ( by % of communities ) : 67% Relying on less preferred food or lower food quality, 62% Borrowing money to buy food and 61% Buying food with money.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Access to Health Services 56% of communities where KIs reported that the households did not have access to health services in the assessed location. Going to the pharmacy instead of a clinic was the most commonly reported coping strategy for a lack of healthcare  ( reported by KIs in 88% of communities ) .
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Effects of COVID 19 on livelihoods sectors in the community  ( by % of communities ) : 50% of None of the available livelihood sectors were affected and 50% of at least one of the available livelihood sectors was partially or totally affected.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES ]  The cost of chicken also increased at the regional level by 24% in March, primarily as a result of the high costs of poultry feed, also impacted by the depreciation of the SYP. The cost of eggs also increased by 8% since February. Finally, overall prices for bulk foods also increased considerably in March  ( by 22% ) . Rice increased by 28%, bulgur by 21%, red lentils by 20%, sugar by 18%, tomato paste by 16% and salt by 36%.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: 10% Lack of necessary protective equipment or supplies at health facilities reported as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: 4% Washing hands less frequently reported as a coping strategy for a lack of water.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  The average selling price of poultry feed for layers and egg production was recorded at 1 139 SYP per kg. This has resulted in limited availability and high cost for eggs in the local markets in Deir ez Zor. Most families in this aforementioned governorate depend on other governorates to cover their requirements for eggs. Some families also get eggs from neighbouring countries through illegal trading routes with unverified quality and standards.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  Sunflower oil average price increased significantly to 7 474 SYP per litre  ( 45 percent m o m ) . In Rural Damascus, the average selling price reached 10 000 SYP per litre  ( 54 percent m o m increase ) . Hama, Tartous and Homs governorates also recorded high selling prices 8 333, 8 380 and 8 280 SYP per litre respectively.
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 22% of communities cited that rent prices were unaffordable for the majority of people.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  At the governorate level, in March 2021, As Sweida  ( 59 percent )  and Ar Raqqa  ( 47 percent )  recorded the highest proportion of surveyed households having lost one or more sources of income. Almost 14 percent of surveyed households in As Sweida and 12 percent in Ar Raqqa lost almost all their income for March. Furthermore, more than half of the interviewed households across Syria who mentioned losses of income  ( 55 percent )  reported inadequate food consumption and 94 percent indicated having relied on at least one coping strategy in March 2021.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In light of the worsening socio economic situation across the country, Syrian households reported continued difficulties in sustaining income generating activities. In March 2021, 43 percent of surveyed households indicated that they had lost one or more sources of income. This was the case even among breadwinners having university degrees  ( 38 percent ) . Additionally, a third of interviewed households in Syria indicated having lost more than half of their monthly income.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  The impact of the recent price change is now evident in the local markets since the selling price of wheat already reached 1 200 SYP per kg in Rural Damascus. In Hama, the selling price of wheat seed recorded is 940 SYP per kg in February 2021  ( 42 percent m o m increase )  compared to 660 SYP per kg in January 2021, while the selling price in Deir ez Zor reached 933 SYP per Kg  ( 24 percent m o m increase )  and the highest price recorded in Rural Damascus is 1 200 SYP per kg .
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The insufficient consumption of protein rich food items was reported across the country. In March 2021, overall 62 percent of interviewed households indicated consuming animal source protein or pulses less than twice a week, which represents the lowest national average consumption rate of protein over the past six months. Food security projections signal further macro nutrient deficiencies among Syrian households in the next coming months, potentially leading to an increase in acute and chronic malnutrition nationwide.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In March 2021, 18 percent of interviewed households reported facing challenges in accessing medical care services, an increase by four percentage points since February 2021, with a peak recorded in Quneitra  ( 27 percent ) . More female headed households  ( 21 percent )  reported challenges, mainly due to shortage of financial means  ( 17 percent ) . According to residency status, 24 percent of returnees, 18 percent of IDPs and 17 percent of residents indicated difficulties in accessing healthcare facilities  ( an increase of nine percentage points from the previous month's level ) . Lace of money was the main impediment to accessing healthcare facilities by returnees  ( 19 percent ) , while around four percent of returnees reported that hospitals were far away from their homes.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In terms of displacement status, a higher proportion of IDPs  ( 29 percent )  reported market access challenges, a six percentage points increase month on month, compared to returnees  ( 21 percent )  and residents  ( 23 percent ) . From interviews conducted in March 2021, approximately three out of five households with no regular access to markets nationwide  ( 56 percent )  had poor or borderline food consumption. Furthermore, in March 2021, around five percent of surveyed households in Ar Raqqa, Aleppo and Rural Damascus reported difficulties in obtaining remittances and/or food assistance due to movement restrictions.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In March 2021, 66 percent of surveyed households with no regular access to medical healthcare reported poor or borderline food consumption, marking a 10 percent increase compared to the level recorded in February 2021. Moreover, two out of five interviewed households reported not being able to purchase the necessary medicines in March 2021, a 21 percent increase from a month earlier, mainly due to lack of financial resources  ( 84 percent )  and shortage of medicines in pharmacies  ( 14 percent ) . This highlights a health concern given that 17 percent of respondents throughout Syria have elderly members with chronic diseases.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The COVID 19 outbreak has triggered challenges for most Syrian households to access markets. In March 2021, nearly one out of four interviewed households  ( 24 percent )  indicated facing difficulties in reaching markets, an increase of four percentage points from February 2021. More than one third of surveyed households in Lattakia  ( 36 percent )  reported not having access to markets, double the level recorded in February 2021. These findings highlight nationwide food access concerns given that more than nine out of ten interviewed households across Syria  ( 92 percent )  reported relying on markets as a primary source of food.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Syrian households continued adopting precautionary measures to mitigate the rise of COVID 19 transmission. In March 2021, 77 percent of interviewed households in Syria reported staying indoors to avoid social gathering and crowded places, with a higher proportion recorded in Ar Raqqa  ( 85 percent ) . This indicates that most households across Syria are probably aware and have some understanding about COVID 19 preventive measures. While this figure remained high across the country, it decreased by 15 percent from March 2020 and marked the lowest national average reported rate since the beginning of the pandemic.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Food insecurity in Syria remained at critical levels, with more than half of the surveyed households  ( 51 percent )  reporting poor or borderline food consumption in March 2021. The national average rate of inadequate food consumption  ( poor and borderline combined )  increased by 11 percent from February 2021 and 72 percent compared to March 2020. The spiral deterioration of food security in Syria is largely the consequence of a decade of conflict and economic meltdown fueled by the financial crisis in Lebanon, the plummeting of the Syrian currency, and the unilateral coercive measures on the country.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In March 2021, consuming less preferred or less expensive food was the most widely adopted negative food coping strategy by surveyed households  ( 72 percent ) , with a peak recorded in Al Hasakeh  ( 80 percent ) . Also, to meet food shortages, around 60 percent of interviewed households reported a reduction in the number of meals consumed per day, an increase of six percentage points from February 2021, with a higher proportion recorded among female headed households  ( 68 percent ) . In addition, nearly half of the surveyed households in Syria  ( 49 percent )  reported reducing food consumption by adult members to prioritise their children's food consumption needs, with peaks recorded in Al Hasakeh  ( 61 percent )  and Lattakia  ( 60 percent ) . Moreover, the dire economic circumstances have pushed Syrian households to more frequently rely on child labor.
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 40% of communities cited the high cost of fuel for generators as a common challenge.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of communities where extreme coping strategies used by residents and IDPs to meet basic needs were reported: 69% residents and 80% IDPs reported sending children  ( 15 or below )  to work, 33% residents and 41% IDPs reported early marriage, including forced marriage, high risk work and sending family members to beg.
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  During 2021, an estimated 1.2 million mothers and women at child bearing age will continue to suffer the consequences of maternal anemia and/or malnutrition if not treated appropriately.
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 38% of communities cited the high cost of water trucking as a common challenge.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Child labour and early marriage were reported to prevent children from going to school in 80% and 39% of communities.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Hazardous child labour was reported as a protection risk in 7% of communities.
[ 31 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The news of the delay of arrival of the vaccines came as intensive care units in Damascus and its environs overflowed due to the accelerating spread of the virus. The total number of positive cases increased to 49,825 cases across the country this week, up from 47,966 cases last week, including 18,638 positive cases inside the government areas, 9,898 positive cases in Northeast Syria, and 21,289 cases inside the opposition areas.
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Over half a million Syrian women are pregnant. Many of them unable to access health facilities due to movement restrictions, Covid 19 transmission fears or lack of access to health facilities altogether, putting their lives and that of their newborns at risk.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES ]  The price of bread also increased considerably by 82% between February and March, however, this was only a 6% increase since September 2020. The increasing prices resulted from increasing flour and fuel prices, as well as wage payments. At the same time, flour prices increased by 30% in March, contributing to an 86% increase in the same six month period.
[ 3 April 2021, Damascus, GoS ]  The Damascus hospital, also known as Al Mujtahid, announced on April 03 that since the beginning of last March, 729 patients had visited the hospital    an average of 27 patients per day    exhibiting advanced coronavirus like symptoms. The hospital urged people to seek treatment sooner to avoid putting their lives at risk. The Damascus hospital has only 75 beds, including 63 in isolation units and the rest in critical care.
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 86% of communities cited the high cost of health services as a common challenge.
[ 27 March 2021, GoS ]  On March 27, the government's task force for confronting the pandemic decided to transform the Heart Surgery Hospital in Damascus into a hospital for coronavirus patients after transferring patients being treated for heart problems to Al Basel Hospital and Al Assad University Hospital. The decision is an indicator of the accelerating infection rate, especially in Damascus. The government also decided to temporarily place the police hospital, belonging to the Ministry of Interior, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health to treat Covid 19 patients.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]  As in previous months, high quality transport fuels were reported widely unavailable in assessed markets due to high demand and fuel smuggling between NES and Government of Syria  ( GoS )  held areas, as well as from NWS. 79% of fuel vendors reported that high quality diesel was not available in their market, although this is a drop of 8 percentage points since March. 65% reported the same regarding high quality petrol, a drop of 4 percentage points since March.
[ 28 March 2021, GoS ]  On March 28, Tawfiq Hassaba, the manager of the emergency department at the Ministry of Health, told pro government newspaper Al Watan, that Covid 19 patients are now being transferred from Damascus hospitals to other provinces like Homs, and if bed occupancy rates in hospitals in Homs reach 100 percent, patients will be moved to Hama. Mr Hassaba indicated intensive care units in many hospitals in Damascus and the surrounding area were already completely full.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES ]  Following an increase of the SMEB water trucking cost in January, the median regional cost decreased in February by 6%, dropping slightly to 13,500 SYP. According to REACH field teams, the price decrease was attributed to the recent resumption of reliable supply from Allouk water station.
[ 23 March 2021, GoS ]  On March 23, the Ministry of Health through its official social media accounts said Syrian hospitals were prepared to treat Covid 19 patients and had plenty of oxygen. The statement came a day before Lebanese health minister Hamad Hasan met his Syrian counterpart Hasan Al Ghabbash and announced a donation of 75 tons of oxygen to Lebanon in response to a request for help from Lebanese hospitals. The donation was widely reported by local media and some Arabic outlets presented it as a humanitarian act by President Bashar al Assad.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]  [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB WATER TRUCKING PRICE   14,096 Syrian Pounds; One month change:  13% and Six month change: 4%.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB HYGIENE ITEMS' PRICE   25,986 Syrian Pounds; One month change:  9% and Six month change: 50%.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB SMEB COOKING FUEL PRICE   10,000 Syrian Pounds; One month change: 0% and Six month change: 60%.
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 25% of communities cited the high cost of a private tutor as a common challenge.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES ]  The price of high quality petrol increased by 25% since February, and by 55% since September 2020. The price of high quality diesel stayed the same as in February. The price of manually refined kerosene, primarily used for cooking and heating, increased by 14% since February. This continues a 61% six month price increase since September 2020.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN TRANSPORT FUEL PRICE   575 Syrian Pounds; One month change: 2% and Six month change: 77%.
[ March 2021, NES ]  High price of suitable foods formula was the most commonly reported challenge to feeding young children  ( reported by KIs in 96% of communities )
[ March 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 related barriers to access to services were reported: 2% Repairs to the main electricity network were reportedly hindered due to COVID 19 measures.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]  In April, 63 out of the 1,307 surveyed vendors across NES reported having closed their shops. 57 of these shops were in Al Hasakeh, 6 were in Ar Raqqa and Northeast Aleppo reported no closed shops, of those surveyed.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Effects of COVID 19 on livelihoods sectors in the community  ( by % of communities ) :   46% said None of the available livelihood sectors were affected   54% At least one of the available livelihood sectors was partially or totally affected.
[ 14 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  The new exchange rate means there are now four in operation: besides the official exchange rate, there is a rate of SYP 2,250 for payment of fees by Syrian men seeking to avoid mandatory military service, and a rate of SYP 2,500 per dollar for UN agencies and international aid groups, in addition to the new exchange rate for importers.
[ 15 April 2021, NES ]  At least 12,756 cases and 432 deaths have been reported in North East Syria since the beginning of the COVID 19 outbreak more than a year ago, with over 1,400 cases and 53 deaths over the past week.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  In 16% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that no latrines were available in the settlement. In 61% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that some households were practicing open defecation within or outside their settlement as an alternative to latrines. And the settlements where latrines were available, 63% were communal while 35% were household latrines.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Handwashing with soap is an effective way to kill the virus and limit its spread, but in 49% of assessed settlements, people reportedly did not have access to handwashing facilities, while in 97% KIs cited available soap was too expensive.
[ 27 March 2021, GoS ]  On March 27, the Health Directorate at the Ministry of Education announced that it had recorded 110 positive cases in schools over the past week, including 39 cases in schools in Tartous, 33 in schools in Damascus, and 16 in schools in the Damascus countryside. To date, the total number of positive cases in schools in government areas reached 410 for students, and 310 for teachers, according to the health directorate. Suweida 24, an opposition website, on March 30 reported there were mounting concerns over a new wave of the pandemic in schools, with some parents keeping their children at home as a result.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Reported issues related to social distancing: Living conditions do not allow for it reported by 100%.
[ March 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported:   8% Lack of necessary protective equipment or supplies at health facilities reported as a barrier to healthcare access,   8% Washing hands less frequently reported as a coping strategy for a lack of water   8% Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access and   36% Lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility reported as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ 28 March 2021, GoS ]  On March 28, EnabBaladi, an opposition media website, quoted the head of WHO's Syria mission, Akjemal Magtymova as saying in an email that the shipment of vaccine to Syria, which was expected this month, had been postponed. Ms Magtymova said the availability of vaccines for Syria was dependent on AstraZeneca's vaccine production levels.
[ 13 April 2021, Damascus, GoS ]  The Damascus Chamber of Commerce published an advertisement directed at merchants and industrialists pertaining to dealing with dollars, in three segments during the Holy Month of Ramadan. According to the announcement, the two companies, al Fadil Exchange and Money Transfers and United Exchange, decided to sell dollars to merchants and industrialists through three segments, the first tranche extending from the first to the tenth day of Ramadan, at a price of 3,250 Syrian pounds for the dollar. The second tranche extends from 10 to 20, at a price of 3,100 pounds for the dollar, while the third tranche extends from the 20th to the 30th of the month, at a price of 2,900 pounds for the dollar. The Chamber affirmed that the entire amount must be “fixed and paid in pounds for the three tranches from 1 Ramadan to 5 Ramadan.'
[ February 2021, GoS ]  The main reported constraints faced by traders were the unstable informal exchange rate, high prices and low demand by customers. Other reported constrains included the high cost of transportation and the reduced liquidity of clients. Traders generally believed that inflation already existed, therefore the 5,000 banknote was not the main reason behind the increase in prices, it however did help fuel the increase further.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Proportion of assessed settlements with KIs reporting on whether residents experienced barriers when leaving the assessed settlement in the two weeks prior to data collection: Most commonly reported barriers in these assessed settlements: Transportation too expensive  ( 77% ) , Insufficient transportation  ( 32% )  and Safety/security situation  ( 21% ) .
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Reported modalities by which information was received: Internet 91%, NGOs/ charities 75%, Television 73% and Friends/family 48%.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  It is difficult to assess whether the introduction of the SYP 5,000 note caused any increase in prices in Syria over the past month. However, it is clear that it has not had a dampening effect either. Most of these commodities are imported meaning that the main contributing factor to their rise in price over the past month was the continued depreciation of the Syrian pound on the informal market. This is confirmed by the very strong correlation  ( 0.96 to 0.99 )  that was found between the informal exchange rate and the price of all food items, between February 2020 and February 2021.
[ March and April 2021, Overall Syria ]   [ From table ]  140,000 of the Palestine refugees in most vulnerable category.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  In 23% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that sufficient medicine was available for free for people with chronic disease. In 80% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that sufficient medicine was available to buy for people with chronic disease.
[ March and April 2021, Overall Syria ]   [ From table ]  91% of Palestine refugee in need of cash and in kind food assistance.
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  As prices increase, families have been forced to adopt dangerous coping methods including: removing children from school so they can work and support the family.
[ March and April 2021, Overall Syria ]   [ From table ]  40% of Palestine refugees remain in protracted displacement.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Information provided by KIs suggests that IDP populations in assessed settlements are generally aware of the virus and are receiving information about the pandemic, that they understand. However in 27% of the settlements the KIs reported that a few or no residents consider COVID 19 an important issue.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the national average retail price of wheat flour throughout Syria increased by 15 percent in February 2021, reaching SYP 1,518/kg, representing a y o y increase of 254 percent. As Sweida recorded the highest wheat flour price at SYP 1,802/kg  ( up 13 percent m o m ) , while Ar Raqqa recorded the lowest price of SYP 1,208/kg  ( up 19 percent m o m ) .
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  For Diesel prices, Idleb continued to report the highest informal price at SYP 2,239/litre  ( up 17 percent m o m ) , followed by Aleppo at SYP 1,611/litre  ( up 13 percent mo m ) . On the other hand, Al Hasakeh reported the lowest price at SYP 202/ litre  ( up 35 percent m o m ) , followed by Ar Raqqa at SYP 658/litre  ( up 66 percent m o m )
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Most commonly reported child protection concerns in these assessed settlements are: Child labour  ( 71% )  and Early marriage  ( below age 18 )   ( 39% ) .
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average retail price of Egyptian white rice increased by 13 percent since January 2021 and by 175 percent since February 2020, reaching SYP 2,128/kg in February 2021. Aleppo reported the highest price at SYP 2,480/kg  ( up 22 percent m om )  and Damascus reported the lowest price at SYP 1,800/kg  ( up three percent ) .
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The highest informal exchange rate was reported in Deir ez Zor at SYP 3,350/USD  ( depreciated by 13 percent m o m and by 70 percent y o y ) , followed by Homs and Hama at SYP 3,349/USD  ( depreciated by 13 percent m o m and by 69 percent y o y ) . The lowest average informal exchange rates were reported in Quneitra at SYP 3,020/USD  ( depreciated by five percent m o m and by 68 percent y o y )  and Dar'a at SYP 3,039/USD  ( depreciated by five percent m o m, and by 67 percent y o y ) .
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  Idleb reported the highest daily wage rate at SYP 7,998/day  ( up 20 percent m om )  due to increased demand for higher wages as a result of the general increase in prices, while Deir ez Zor reported the lowest daily wage rate at SYP 2,770/ day  ( down eight percent m o m ) . Broken down by regions, the coastal region reported the highest wage rate of SYP 7,500/day  ( unchanged m o m ) . On the other hand, northwest Syria reported the lowest wage rate of SYP 3,406/day  ( up one percent m o m ) .
[ 28 April 2021, Northern Syria ]  In northern Syria, new cases have been confirmed in displacement camps, including at al Hol and al Roj. Both those camps lack the resources to treat COVID patients.
[ 27 APR 2021, NES ]  Ak Hasakeh and Aleppo governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average terms of trade between wheat flour and wage labour, a proxy indicator for purchasing power, decreased by 13 percent between January 2021 and February 2021, reaching 3.5 kgs of wheat flour/daily wage rate, compared to 4 kgs of wheat flour in January 2021 and 6.8 kgs of wheat flour in February 2020. This is lowest level recorded since monitoring of this indicator began in 2014, highlighting the serious deterioration of the purchasing power of Syrian people.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The middle region reported the highest average price across Syria at SYP 445,035/sheep  ( up 10 percent m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 444,846/sheep  ( up 16 percent m o m ) . On the other hand, northwest Syria reported the lowest price at SYP 401,458/sheep  ( up 21 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 410,000/sheep  ( down six percent m o m ) .
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Handwashing with soap is an effective way to kill the virus and limit its spread,11 but in 50% of assessed settlements, people reportedly did not have access to handwashing facilities, while in 100% KIs cited available soap was too expensive.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the national average retail price of vegetable oil throughout Syria continued to increase in February 2021 by 17 percent, reaching SYP 5,632/litre. Vegetable oil's national average price also increased by 104 percent since August 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 350 percent since February 2020. Lattakia recorded the highest vegetable oil price at SYP 6,500/litre  ( up 23 percent m o m ) , while Idleb recorded the lowest price at SYP 4,348/litre  ( up 15 percent m o m ) .
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Top three reported food related coping strategies used by residents in the 2 weeks prior to data collection by % of assessed settlements: Eating smaller meals 68%, Purchasing food on credit 61% and Buying food with money usually used for other purchases 61%.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The cross border region reported the highest average price of sugar at SYP 1,944/kg  ( up six percent m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 1,935/kg  ( up 21 percent m o m ) . Conversely, the middle region reported the lowest average price of sugar at SYP 1,890/kg  ( up 16 percent m o m ) , followed by the coastal region at SYP 1,891/kg  ( up 17 percent m o m ) .
[ 29 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The Secretary of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Hallaq, said that prices will inevitably decrease, but this process requires the consumer to buy and not wait for it to decrease. Hallaq explained that the decline in the exchange rate is real and clear to all, and the decline in gold is a great indication and proof of the trend. As a whole, he added, importers and stakeholders always reduce prices when the exchange rate decreases and when the currency strengthens.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  Talking about vegetable oil, the coastal region reported the highest price at SYP 6,163/litre  ( up 19 percent m o m ) , followed by the middle region at SYP 6,115/litre  ( up 19 percent m o m ) . Conversely, the cross border region reported the lowest price of vegetable oil at SYP 4,294  ( up 15 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 4,971  ( up 23 percent m o m ) .
[ 28 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Last week, the first deliveries of vaccines from the COVAX facility arrived in Syria, and additional deliveries are expected throughout the year. The supplies from COVAX should cover around 20 per cent of the population, but that's obviously not nearly enough. It is a vital first step to protect medical workers and those most vulnerable, but more vaccines will be needed as soon as possible.
[ 28 April 2021, NWS ]  The vaccine doses that reached north west Syria were delivered, like all UN humanitarian assistance there, through the Bab al Hawa border crossing. It is really not clear how future such deliveries could reach north west Syria unless the re authorization of UN cross border access is confirmed. .
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  In 53% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that families in their settlement have been impacted by the closures of schools due to COVID 19, most commonly reporting  ( KIs could select multiple answer options ) : Decrease in children's interest in learning  ( 49% ) , Decrease in children's ability to learn  ( 34% )  and No alternative learning available  ( at home or remotely )   ( 23% ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  % of communities where extreme coping strategies used by residents and IDPs to meet basic needs were reported: For both residents ( 52% )  and IDPS ( 61% )  most commonly reported coping mechanism was sending children  ( 15 or below )  to work and early marriage for 24% of residents and 23% of IDPs.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  KIs estimated that a lack of insulation from the cold  ( 71% of assessed settlements )  and a lack of heating  ( 65% )  were the main shelter adequacy issues in their settlement.
[ 28 April 2021, Overall Syria & NES ]  One consequence of the exchange rate being volatile is that there are, in some places, some reductions in prices, for staples like rice and sugar, many of which are imported, obviously. But food prices overall do remain at historically high levels. In fact, in Al Hassakeh, subsidized bread prices doubled this month.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Information provided by KIs suggests that IDP populations in assessed settlements are aware of the virus and are receiving information about the pandemic, that they understand. However in 81% of the settlements the KIs reported that a few or no residents consider COVID 19 an important issue.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Child labour and early marriage were reported to prevent children from going to school in 61% and 19% of communities.
[ 28 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Most Syrian households – more than half of them – report not having sufficient, or sufficiently nutritious, food. That's an increase of more than 70 per cent compared to last year. And the proportion is much higher among people who have been displaced or among returnees.