nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ 1Jan 31Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  2020 witnessed heightened risk for humanitarian workers posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant  ( ISIL ) , which scaled up the frequency and intensity of attacks against all entities, including the Syrian Arab Army  ( SAA ) , Syrian Democratic Forces  ( SDF )  and their allies. Given the increased security risks, resulting from the ISIL attacks, as well as the ongoing military operations against the ISIL, the work of the UN in Syria was heavily impacted. In fact, Ithreya atTabqah and Sokhna Deir ez Zor roads were suspended. Previously, these roads were used by UN contractors to carry out missions and to provide timely supplies to support UN activities in northeast Syria.
[ 1Jan 31Dec 2020,NES and NWS ]  This year, over 11 million people, including 4.8 million children, continued to require humanitarian assistance, and 6.1 million people remained internally displaced. Their vulnerability has been further aggravated by the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. The scale, severity and complexity of humanitarian needs have become even more extensive due to the economic downturn, rising cost of commodities, and devaluation of local currency, which were all compounded by the socio economic impact of COVID 19 and ongoing hostilities. This has led to devastating consequences for already vulnerable populations across the country, particularly for displaced populations and returnees in northwest and northeast Syria.
[ 23rd March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Chronic malnutrition remains high, with one out of each three to four Syrian children estimated to have or at risk of being stunted. It is estimated that more than 600,000 children are suffering from stunting and are at risk of impaired physical and cognitive development.
On 1st of Jan 2020, the SYP was $1 against 915 SYP, today it is 3400 SYP, meaning yet more hunger & suffering.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  50% of Syrians spend at least 75% of their income on food.
[ 16th Feb 2021, NES ]  Throughout January, reported levels of COVID 19 transmission in NES health facilities appear to have declined significantly  ( according to the number of NGO supported health facilities that have had to close/ partially close and staff who have had to self isolate/ self quarantine ) .
[ 1 31 March, Overall Syria ]  As of end March, health authorities in Syria reported 18,498 confirmed COVID 19 infections since the start of the pandemic, an increase from some 15,640 in February.
[ February 17, Homs ]  The Director of Health in Homs, Dr. Muslim Al Atassi, confirmed to Al Watan that the number of infections and deaths recorded with the Coronavirus has significantly decreased in the governorate by more than 50 percent during the past period, pointing out that only one death was recorded in Corona throughout the governorate two weeks ago to date. .
[ 2020, NWS ]  Nearly 70 percent of trucks crossed into Syria during the first half of 2020, prior to UN Security Council  ( UNSC )  Resolution 2533 in mid July, which removed UN authorization for crossborder operations through Bab al Salama. The loss of the border crossing into Aleppo strained 3 humanitarian access in the second half of the year, presenting logistical and financial challenges that complicated humanitarian deliveries and required UN agencies to deliver aid from Turkey into Syria exclusively through Bab al Hawa.
[ February 17, Homs ]  The Director of Health in Homs, Dr. Muslim Al Atassi pointed out that the occupancy rate of government and private hospitals for Corona patients throughout the governorate is currently less than a quarter, equivalent to less than 25 percent compared to previous periods, indicating that the occupancy rate in isolation departments in some hospitals is zero and recorded at zero injuries.
[ Jan 14 to 20, NWS ]  As of early January, more than 30 percent of IDPs countrywide resided in inadequate shelter conditions including damaged or unfinished buildings, public buildings such as schools, and other non residential buildings.
[ February 17, Homs ]  The head of the School Health Department in the Education Directorate in Homs, Dr. Ghayath Abbas, confirmed to Al Watan that the number of recorded infections with the Coronavirus in all schools in the governorate decreased significantly, and by more than 90 percent during the second semester, pointing out that no deaths were recorded from the virus affected by her infection until Its history.
[ 31ST JAN 2021, NES ]  As of 31 January, according to updates provided by seven NES NGOs supporting 93 health facilities, no health facilities were closed, with only two health facilities  ( one in Deir Ez Zor and one in Al Hasakeh )  temporarily closed during the whole of January  ( for two days of disinfection following exposure ) . This is a reduction from 13 facilities which were fully or partially closed at some point in November.
[ 16th Feb 2021, NES ]  In NES, as of 16 February, there have been 8,537 confirmed cases of COVID 19. Of these, 6,022 are currently recorded as active, 2,095 have recovered, and 419 deaths  ( 264 among lab confirmed cases ) . Although there has been a significant decline in the number of new cases recorded and the proportion of samples returning positive results, and despite a reduction in transmission over the last two months, the case data does not provide an accurate reflection of infection prevalence. Challenges related to surveillance and detection capacity persist, while under reporting due to social stigma and/or evolution of people's health seeking behaviour further explains the low number of confirmed cases and tests conducted over recent months.
[ 01/02/2021, Overall Syria ]  Since reopening in September, sharp rises of cases in schools have also been recorded, with 2,124 cases reported up to 14 January; including at least 20 reported deaths; eight more since our last report. Of those affected, 1,263 were reported to be teachers/administrative staff, and deaths were reported to have included 11 teachers and three school doctors. These cases also highlight the challenges of preventing transmission in schools, particularly given the overall context of overcrowded classrooms, shortfalls in teachers, and poor/damaged infrastructure.
[ Feb 9th 2021,  [  GoS ]  The shortage of subsidized bread stems from a combination of factors, the main one being that most wheat is grown in areas outside of the regime's control. Over 70 percent of the areas planted with wheat in 2020 were under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces  ( SDF )  in northeast Syria. Areas under rebel and Turkish control also have wheat fields, and thus the regime is left with only about 20 percent of the country's harvest. On top of that, the SDF, the Salvation Government linked to Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir a Sham that governs Idlib, and Turkish companies have all offered farmers higher prices to sell their wheat, dissuading sale to the regime.
[ April 2021, Overall Syria ]  People in Need by Severity level: 51% of the population are in the severity score of more than 3, 43% are in the severity score of 3 and 6% are in the severity score of less than 3.
[ 10th Feb 2021 ]  As of 10 February, most land borders into Syria remain closed, with some limited exemptions  ( from Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon ) , including commercial and relief shipments, and movement of humanitarian and international organization personnel. Damascus International Airport, as well as Tartous and Lattakia ports, are operational. The border crossing point between Rukban and Jordan remains closed, curtailing access to the UN clinic. Access to Rukban from within Syria remains under negotiation.  ( same information as last month )
[ January 2021, NES ]  82% of communities where KIs reported daily waged labour as a common source of income for residents and and 92% for IDPs.
[ January 2021, NES ]  68 days Number of days the average day labourer would need to work to earn the monthly cost of basic SMEB items.
[ July 2021, NES ] Health facilities are overcrowded reported as a barrier to healthcare access: 33%.
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 99% of communities reporting on challenges for renting shelters cited that rent prices were unaffordable for the majority of people
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 34% of communities where barriers to accessing electricity were reported, cited the high cost of fuel for generators as a common challenge.
[ 2020 Overall Syria ]  The 2020 Food Security and Livelihoods Assessment carried out by WFP and partners, also estimates the number of people who are severely food insecure – meaning they cannot survive without food assistance – has doubled in just one year to stand at 1.3 million people. Unless urgent action is taken, an additional 1.8 million people are at risk of falling into severe food insecurity.
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 84% of communities were barriers to accessing sufficient food were reported, cited the high cost of food as a common challenge.
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 79% of communities where barriers to accessing healthcare were reported, cited the high cost of health services as a common challenge
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 24% of communities where barriers to education access were reported, cited the high cost of a private tutor as a common challenge
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The Syrian pound depreciated by four percent in the informal exchange rate market and reached SYP 2,899/USD. Compared to a year ago, the Syrian pound has significantly depreciated by 65 percent. On the other hand, the operational UN rate and the official exchange rate have both remained unchanged at SYP 1,250/USD compared to December 2020. However, the official rate has lost 65 percent of its value since January 2020 and 78 percent of its value since October 2020  ( start of Lebanese financial crisis ) .
[ 5 Feb 2021, GoS ]  Syrian government has made the wearing of facemasks mandatory in public institutions, markets, and on public transportation. Authorities also announced that they would close tourist facilities and restaurants that do not abide by safe distancing guidelines.
[ 5 Feb 2021, GoS ]  There are currently no restrictions on travel between governorates or international travel. Syria's air, land, and sea borders are open for travelers. All travelers to Syria must test negative for COVID 19 not more than 96 hours before departure.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The highest informal exchange rate was reported in Tartous at SYP 2,925/ USD  ( depreciated by four percent m o m; and depreciated by 62 percent y o y ) , followed by Lattakia at SYP 2,923/USD  ( depreciated by four percent mo m; and depreciated by 63 percent y o y ) . Conversely, the lowest rates were reported in Idleb at SYP 2,866/USD  ( depreciated by three percent m om; and depreciated by 65 percent y o y ) , and Quneitra at SYP 2,875/USD  ( depreciated by three percent m o m; and depreciated by 64 percent y o y ) .
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average non skilled labour wage, representing construction, offloading and agricultural labour, increased by two percent m o m reaching SYP 5,237/day in January 2021. Moreover, the wage rate was 96 percent above its y  o y level and 30 percent above levels recorded in July 2020.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average terms of trade between wheat flour and wage labour, a proxy indicator for purchasing power, decreased by three percent between December 2020 and January 2021, reaching 4.0 kgs of wheat flour/daily wage compared to 4.1kg of wheat flour in December 2020.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average terms of trade between wheat flour and wage labour also decreased by two percent compared to July 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 41 percent compared to January 2021. In other words, the national average daily wage of a non  skilled labourer could buy 4.0 kgs of wheat flour in December 2020 compared to 3.9 kgs in July 2020, and 6.7 kgs in January 2020.
[ 15th Feb, SDF areas ]  In the SDF region, POPULATION AT HIGH RISK TO COVID was found to be highest in Ar Raqqa subdistrict in Ar raqqa governorate with 347,804 at high risk to COVId 19 followed by Menbij subdistrict of Aleppo governorate 263,744 individuals at risk. Also, the lowest risk was seen amongst Sarin sub district of Aleppo governorate with 53 at risk.
[ January 2021, NES ]  High price of suitable foods or formula was the most commonly reported challenge to feeding young children  ( reported by KIs in 96% of communities ) .
[ January 2021, NES ]  Child labour and early marriage were reported to prevent children from going to school in 62% and 24% of communities
[ 15th Feb, SDF areas ]  almost all the sub districts in the SDf region mentioned SUFFICIENCY OF COVID 19 HEALTH SERVICES to be insufficient. However, in Al Thawrah sub district of Ar Raqqa governorate, they mentioned that covid 19 health services were less sufficient but not insufficient.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  Syria's Central Bureau of Statistics reported an average inflation rate between 180 200 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, with good inflation reaching 300 percent.
[ January 2021, NES ]  Access to Electricity 12+ hrs per day was the most commonly reported range for hours of electricity accessible to households  ( reported by KIs in 25% of communities ) . 27% of communities where KIs reported the main network is partially or completely not functioning as a barrier for electricity access
[ January 2021, NES ]  Access to Water 59 % 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 37% of communities ) .
[ 13 APR 2021, NES ]  % of SDs with majority of population in need of;   51 % Soap or Water,   74% masks and   77% disinfectant.
[ January 2021, NES ]  Access to Health Services: 72% % of communities where KIs reported that the households did not have access to health services in the assessed location.
[ 16th Feb 2021, SYRIA ] In coordination with UNICEF, WHO continues its engagement with the MoH concerning technical assistance for the documentation needed for the COVID 19 Vaccine application process under COVID 19 Vaccines Global Access Facility  ( COVAX ) . Part A of the application was signed by the MoH and submitted to GAVI on 15 December 2020. Part B  ( legal )  of the COVAX application is still under consideration. As of January, all the necessary coordination committees  ( National Coordination Committee – NCC; COVID 19 Technical Advisory Group – cTAG; and the Inter Agency Coordination Committee   ICC )  and adjusted TORs have been approved, with ten technical sub committees formed with WHO and UNICEF representation.
[ 16th Feb 2021, NWS ] In NWS, planning is underway for COVID 19 vaccinations, with preliminary discussions focused on vaccinating some 20 per cent of the northwest Syria population through COVAX. The WHO Gaziantep office, together with UNICEF, has submitted COVAX applications relying, for the implementation, on the currently existing immunization programme modalities in northwest Syria. The Vaccine Request Form  ( Part A )  envisaged to cover up to 20 per cent of the Syrian population residing in northwest Syria. The target groups were prioritized based on a series of discussions among the parties involved. They include health care workers  ( 3 per cent ) , the elderly aged 60 and above  ( 7.5 per cent )  and people in the age group 20 59 with special conditions such as immune compromised persons and persons with chronic illnesses  ( 9.5 per cent ) . The GAVI letter received on 3 February expresses the intent to allocate vaccines to cover the initial 3 per cent of the population with AstraZeneca SII vaccines
[ 16th Feb 2021, NES ] In NES, as of 4 February, the local authorities lifted all remaining partial and full curfew measures which had been in effect, highlighting the reduction in daily confirmed cases and overall positivity rates as the main factor informing this decision. Public health measures previously enforced and designed to limit mass gatherings, curtail unnecessary travel, contain social mixing, and ensure basic adherence to personal preventative measures  ( e.g. mask wearing in public spaces )  were also lifted.
[ 31ST JAN 2021, NES ]  In NES, overall levels of hospitalization to designated COVID 19 facilities remains extremely low. Based on partial data provided by 9 of 17 operational COVID 19 facilities, only 4 per cent of available beds were occupied as of 31 January, down from 9 per cent as of the end of November. Despite evidence of reduced transmission levels in NES, there continue to be concerns that people who require specialized care are not receiving it. A sizeable 43 per cent of deaths are occurring within 48 hours of admission. A significant number of people are only reporting symptoms or coming to hospitals when their illness is advanced. There continue to be concerns that many people may be dying of COVID 19  ( or COVID related complications )  unreported, at home.
[ Jan 2021, NWS ]  Ar Raqqa reported the highest price of a two year old alive male sheep at SYP 459,444/head  ( up two percent m o m ) , while Aleppo reported the lowest price at SYP 345,946/head  ( up two percent m o m ) .
[ March 21, Damascus ] Patients in Damascus expressed their displeasure at the government hospitals not receiving them, "claiming that they are full of Corona patients, and their inability to accommodate a greater number of patients." Patients in Damascus are forced to move between several hospitals to secure entry, but to no avail, amid the start of a third wave of Coronavirus, and the absence of any precautionary measures that accompany it.
[ January 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: 47% Overcrowding reported as a shelter inadequacy , 63% Schools are overcrowded reported as a challenge for students who access education, 27% Health facilities are overcrowded reported as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ January 2021, NES ]  30% reported Access to markets was reportedly hindered because markets reduced opening hours or days because of COVID 19
[ January 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: 6% Lack of necessary protective equipment or supplies at health facilities reported as a barrier to healthcare access, 10% Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access, 37% Lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility reported as  a barrier to healthcare access.
[ January 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported : 16% Washing hands less frequently reported as a coping strategy for a lack of water.
[ January 2021, NES ]  23% reported Education services were not always functioning in person because schools in the assessed location were closed by local authorities at least some days due to COVID 19.
[ January 2021, NES ]  4% reported Repairs to the main electricity network were reportedly hindered due to COVID 19 measures.
[ January 2021, NES ]  18% reported Education services were not always functioning in person because schools in the assessed location were closed for cleaning/disinfection at least some days due to COVID 19.
[ January 2021, NES ]  % of communities where extreme coping strategies used by residents and IDPs to meet basic needs were reported: For both residents ( 54% )  and IDPS ( 62% )  most commonly reported coping mechanism was Sending children  ( 15 or below )  to work and early marriage 31% of residents and 35% of IDPs.
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 39% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for women as a barrier to meeting basic needs
[ March 21, Damascus ] Omar Al Bakri, a mechanical engineering student told North Press that "after my father was examined, they asked me to transfer him to the Government's Red Crescent Hospital on Baghdad Street, because the hospital was unable to receive him because it was filled with Corona patients. He pointed out that the same thing was repeated at Al Hilal Hospital, "they transferred him to al Mouwasat and from there to the mujtahid, without being received in any hospital." He added, "We cannot afford the costs of treatment in private hospitals, and this new state of government hospitals threatens my father's health and similar cases to his."
[ January 2021, NES ]  KIs in 24% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for persons with a disability as a barrier to meeting basic needs
[ March 21, Damascus ]  In turn, Izzat Samaan  ( 27 years ) , a resident physician at Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, told North Press: “The hospital is full of Covid patients, and even some cases that are not diagnosed with COVID 19, they become infected within 3 days due to poor sterilization and prevention in the hospital.'
Samaan deliberately informs all patients of the hospital's condition, especially those with chronic diseases, as “infection poses a fatal danger to them.'
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The terms of trade between an alive two year old male sheep and wheat flour was 300 kg/sheep  ( up one percent m o m ) . Highlighting an improvement in the exchange for livestock owners who could buy on average one percent more wheat flour compared to a month earlier. However, the terms of trade has worsened by 38 percent since January 2020.
[ March 27, Damascus ] During a meeting headed by the Prime Minister Engineer Hussein Arnous, the team concerned with COVID 19 decided to convert the Heart Surgery Hospital in Damascus to receive Corona virus patients, receives heart patients will be admitted at Al Assad University Hospitals and Al Basil Hospital for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery in Dummar.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  In 9% of assessed settlements, KIs reported that no latrines were available in the settlement. In 43% 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, 64% were communal while 30% were household latrines.
[ 26 May 2021, NES ]  The Kurdish run Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria recently renounced its May 17 decision to increase fuel prices. The cancellation came after protests against the price hikes erupted in the area under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces  ( SDF ) .
[ March 27, Damascus ] The government team has also placed the police hospital at the disposal of the Ministry of Health to treat those infected with the covid 19 virus.
[ 14 July 2021, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced that 5 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 3 coronavirus patients recovered and one other passed away.
[ March 2020 Feb 2021, Syria ]  The effects of COVID 19 upon livelihoods varied regionally, due to differences in the extent of pandemic related restrictions and lockdown measures. In the north east, where measures to restrict the spread of the disease were more strict, women reported direct negative economic effects due to work interruptions and their inability to access markets to sell products. Indirect negative effects were also reported, as travel bans and market disruptions had driven up the price of goods. Women in the north west were more neutral on their views of the economic impact of COVID 19. For many, the pandemic had not interrupted work, as it was already unstable and unreliable. For a few women, the pandemic created temporary job opportunities in the production of masks.
[ July 2021, NES ] A lack of toilets was reported as a shelter issue  for IDPs in 21% of communities.
[ 30 May 2021, GoS ]  Health Ministry announced on 30 May 2021 that 28 new coronavirus infections were recorded in the country and 6 patients have recovered while 4 have passed away.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Compared to July 2020  ( six months ago ) , the price of surgeon masks decreased by six percent. On the other hand, the price of plastic gloves, alcohol spray, bleach, hand gel and soap bars have all increased by 29, 27, six, seven and one percent, respectively. Additionally, compared to February 2020  ( prior to the COVID 19 outbreak in Syria ) , the price of all items in January 2021 have increased. The price of surgeon masks, plastic gloves and alcohol spray have increased by 339, 426 and 322 percent, respectively. Also, the price of bleach, hand gel and soap bars have increased by 183, 301 and 162 percent, respectively.
( January 2021, NWS )  communities where barriers to accessing income from agriculture to meet basic needs reported lack of access to resources  ( 32% among residents and 24 among IDPs )
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The middle region reported the highest price of eggs at SYP 6,185/carton  ( up 20 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 5,960/carton  ( up ten percent m o m ) . Conversely, the crossborder region reported the lowest price at SYP 5,375/kg  ( down two percent m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 5,870  ( up 17 percent m o m ) .
[ 25 Feb, GoS ]  Health Ministry in Damascus announced on Thursday that 62 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and 85 patients infected with the virus have recovered while 6 others have passed away.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  96% of communities where KIs reported that households experienced barriers to accessing sufficient food. In 27% of these communities, KIs reported that the unavailability of certain food items was a challenge to accessing sufficient food
[ 23 Feb, Gos ]  Ministry of Health in Damascus announced that it had monitored an increase during this week in the number of patients visiting emergency departments at hospitals in all provinces suffering from respiratory symptoms suspected of having infection with the Coronavirus.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Heating fuel is unaffordable for 94% of communities and 92% of communities for winterisation items
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The gap between the highest and lowest average food basket prices widened by four percent from SYP 40,661 in December 2020 to SYP 42,109 in January 2021. Moreover, the gap increased by 117 percent since January 2020, highlighting continued supply chain disruptions across the country since last year.
[ Jan 2021, GoS ]  Food distributions in Tafas have been irregular in the past months, since then access has been problematic due to the heightened tensions. This shows how susceptible local market dynamics can be to even brief escalations of hostilities, translating into immediate repercussions on the local population's purchasing power. This is particularly concerning in areas where the regular provision of assistance is curtailed by access issues.
[ Jan 2021, GoS ]  The closest market to Tafas town monitored by WFP is Mzeireb. In January 2021, retail prices of cereals have all increased in Mzeireb. M o m, prices of bulgur increased by six percent to reach SYP 1,433/kg, of Egyptian white rice increased by eight percent to reach SYP 1,933/kg, and of wheat flour increased by four percent reaching SYP 1,225/kg. Yo y, cereal prices have skyrocketed by 155 percent for bulgur, 127 percent for Egyptian white rice and by 220 percent for wheat flour.
[ Jan 2021, GoS ]  In Mzeireb, other main food items prices like sugar and vegetable oil have also increased by nine and ten percent reaching SYP 1,621/kg and SYP 4,992/litre, respectively. Y o y, the price of vegetable oil has increased by 286 percent and sugar has increased by 208 percent.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The middle region of Syria reported the highest retail price of wheat flour at SYP 1,391/kg  ( up six percent m o m ) , followed by northwest Syria at SYP 1,334/kg  ( up four percent m o m ) , while the cross border region continued to report the lowest retail price at SYP 1,175/kg  ( up eight percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 1,210/kg  ( up one percent m o m. )
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the coastal region reported the highest price of rice at SYP 2,028/kg  ( unchanged m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 2,024/kg  ( up four percent m o m ) , while the middle region reported the lowest price at SYP 1,716/kg  ( up six percent ) , followed by northwest Syria at SYP 1,735/kg  ( up four percent m o m ) .
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average retail price of bulgur increased by four percent m o m and by 202 percent y o y reaching SYP 1,486/kg. Tartous reported the highest bulgur retail price at SYP 1,769/kg  ( up 17 percent m o m ) , while Idleb reported the lowest price at SYP 1,160/kg  ( up eight percent m o m ) .
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average price of subsidized bread in January 2021 reached SYP 109/ bundle  ( up one percent m o m and 139 percent y o y ) . Commercial bread price increased by seven percent m o m and by 374 percent y o y to reach SYP 481/bundle. Idleb reported the highest commercial bread price of SYP 1,238/bundle  ( up five percent m o m ) , while Ar Raqqa reported the lowest price of SYP 130/bundle  ( down four percent m o m ) .
[ Aug 2020, Overall Syria ]  50% estimated decrease in remittances by August 2020  ( United Nations, Socio Economic Response Plan, August 2020 )
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Idleb continued to report the highest informal price at SYP 1,919/litre  ( up 11 percent m o m ) , followed by Aleppo at SYP 1,424/litre  ( up five percent m o m ) . On the other hand, Al Hasakeh reported the lowest price at SYP 150/litre  ( unchanged m o m ) , followed by Ar Raqqa at SYP 396/litre  ( unchanged m o m ) .
( Oct 2020, Overall Syria )  82% of Syrians report a significant deterioration in their ability to meet basic needs since August 2019. 65% of Syrians report currently being unable to meet the basic needs of their household  ( MSNA )
[ 15th Feb, GoS areas ]  In the  GoS region, POPULATION AT HIGH RISK TO COVID was found to be highest in  Jebel Saman subdistrict in Aleppo  governorate with 1,299,616 at high risk to COVId 19 followed by Hama subdistrict of  Hama governorate WITH 748,668 individuals at risk. Also, the lowest risk was seen amongst Kansaba  sub district of Lattakia governorate with 167 at risk.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The informal national average price of one butane gas cylinder  ( 25,000 L )  increased by 24 percent m o m and by 79 percent since July 2020  ( six months ago )  reaching SYP 23,659/refill in January 2021, while the formal butane gas cylinder remained unchanged at SYP 2,785/refill. Tartous reported the highest price at SYP 30,000 /refill  ( up seven percent m o m ) , while Al  Hasakeh reported the lowest price at SYP 10,667  ( up seven percent m om ) .
( Oct 2020, Overall Syria )  71%of Syrians have increased debt to survive since August 2019  ( MSNA )
( Oct 2020, Overall Syria )  27%of households report that children show signs of psychological distress – almost double the figure in 2020 ( 14% )   ( MSNA )
[ 25 Feb, Gos ]  The Ministry in Damascus indicated that the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country climbed to 15405, out of which 9553 cases recovered and 1014 passed away.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  The compound effect of COVID 19 and pre existing long lasting crises was also reflected in general price level, with annual fluctuations varying across the countries of the region. Countries affected by protracted conflict, financial crisis, social unrest or imposed sanctions  ( e.g. Iran,Lebanon,Libya, Syria, Yemen ) were among the most severely affected by the fallouts of COVID 19. Countries facing challenges other than the pandemic saw the most alarming and highest spikes. Syria recorded an annual increase in the cost of the food basket at 236 percent.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  90% of communities reported in person education services when these were functioning and 22% online. 33% of communities where KIs reported that the lack of access to internet, electricity and/or equipment was a barrier to accessing online education services.
[ 22 Feb, Overall Syria ]  The Ministry of Health recorded 51 new cases of Coronavirus, to reach the total number of infections in Syria to 15,230.
[ February 6, Al Hasakeh ]  The director of the first bakery of Al Hasaka, Ali Al Damas, explained to "Sham FM" that the quantities of flour arrive in succession to the bakery, as the bread distribution started at 5 pm on Thursday. Al Damas indicated that the distribution is still continuing: “The delegates were provided with bread in the city center, and all citizens received their allocations.' He pointed out that the bakery is operating at its maximum capacity in all production lines, including the newly launched third line.
[ Feb 9th 2021,  [  GoS ]  The shortages are hitting the population hard because bread is the cheapest source of calories, which Syrians have increasingly come to rely on as their economic situation has deteriorated throughout the war. Bread was always a central staple of the Syrian diet, but the rise in the prices of meat, eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and even cheap grains such as rice and bulgur, led Syrians to rely even more heavily on bread to stave off hunger.
[ Jan, 2021, Overall Syria ]  12.4 million people, close to 60 percent of the total population of Syria, are currently assessed to be food insecure, according to the results of the nationwide food security and livelihoods assessment conducted by WFP and the Whole of Syria Food Security Sector over the fourth quarter of 2020. The number of people food insecure has increased by 4.5 million people in just one year, with the number of people severely food insecure more than doubling
( GoS )  The shortage of fuel in Syria, exacerbated by the regime's financial troubles and the 2018 tightening of U.S. sanctions on Iranian energy imports, is also contributing to the bread shortage by disrupting the operation of state bakeries.
[ 05/02/2021 ]   [ NWS ]  Syrian Observatory sources have confirmed that health authorities in north western Syria documented new six coronavirus cases yesterday, which brings the total number of infections to 21,028.
[ 05/02/2021 ]   [ NWS ]  It is also worth noting that the total number of coronavirus cases documented by the health authorities until the end of December 2020, was 20,204, of whom 12,718 cases were recovered, while hundreds others died and buried under strict precautionary measures.
[ 05/02/2021 ]   [ NWS ]  According to the health authorities' statistics, more than 4,000 infections were documented in north western Syria in November 2020.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Floods caused by heavy rainfall has severely impacted internally displaced persons'  ( IDP )  sites in north western Syria, with thousands of WFP beneficiaries affected.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  2 million Syrians now estimated to live in extreme poverty.
[ 21 Feb, Gos ]  Health Ministry in Damascus, announced that 36 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country, 77 patients infected with the virus have recovered while 2 others have passed away.
Access to markets and non food items  ( NFIs )  is undermined by the widespread economic vulnerability that is driven further by COVID 19, the drop in the Syrian Pound, diminished income opportunities, rising prices and economic restrictions. Almost 90 per cent of families reported diminished access to NFI's with unaffordability being the main driver.
[ 01/02/2021, Overall Syria ]  Among these shocks has been the significant devaluation and volatility of the informal SYP/USD exchange rate, which has sharply declined since 2019, when the informal exchange rate was around SYP 694. After a record low in June 2020  ( approximately SYP 3,200 to US$ 1 ) , and subsequent relative rally, the informal rate has again recently and steadily deteriorated to around SYP 3,000 at the time of writing. In June 2020, the Central Bank of Syria devalued the official exchange rate to SYP 1,256 to US$ 1.
[ 01/02/2021, Overall Syria ]  Food prices, in addition to other factors such as periodic shortages of staples, has led to a significant deterioration in food insecurity indicators. According to WFP, as of April 2020, 9.3 million people in Syria were considered food insecure, with one million severely food insecure.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  In December 2020, the humanitarian community tracked some 43,000 IDP movements across Syria, similar to numbers tracked in November. As in preceding months, most IDP movements were concentrated in northwest Syria, with 92 percent occurring within and between Aleppo and Idleb. These movements are estimated to mostly be incentivised by access to services and livelihoods, and facilitated by reduced levels of shelling compared to preceding months.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  As of January 2021, around 13.4 million people are estimated to require some form of humanitarian and protection assistance, including 6 million in acute need, due to a convergence of factors arising from a sharp reduction in purchasing power, the loss of essential livelihoods and income, mounting food insecurity, limited access to basic services such as health, WASH, education, nutrition and critical protection services, inadequate shelter conditions as well as the immediate and longer term effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  While there are significant nuances by geography and population group, the principal, often inter linked drivers of need in Syria at the start of 2021 are growing food insecurity; loss of income and livelihoods; lack of and increasingly unaffordable critical basic services, including health care, safe water provision, education and protection services; a wide array of specific protection risks and needs; and inadequate and unaffordable shelter/housing.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  With 36 per cent of general population relying on alternative to piped water and often unsafe water supply modalities to meet or complement their water needs, with at least 70 per cent of sewage being discharged untreated and at least half of the of the 42 built up sewage treatment plants are not functional, and with about 12 per cent of garbage inappropriately disposed, the WASH infrastructure and service provision in many parts of Syria require significant repair and operational support.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Essential health services are the backbone of any resilient health system yet only 58 per cent of hospitals and 53 per cent of primary health care centers  ( PHCs )  in Syria are fully functional. The intense demands of the COVID 19 response over the course of 2020 engaged resources and capacity that normally would be expended in support of routine health services delivery.
[ 7 July 2021, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced that 23 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 5 coronavirus patients recovered and two others passed away.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Deepening poverty continues to fuel harmful coping mechanisms and strain the capacities of families and communities to protect children, particularly adolescent girls and boys: child labor, including its worst forms is reported in all governorates.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Armed conflict, economic deterioration, displacement and the COVID 19 pandemic all have a gendered and disproportionate impact on girls and women in Syria, which manifests itself through different forms of gender based violence  ( GBV ) , especially early/forced marriage, domestic violence, sexual harassment and/or violence, denial of resources, and psychological and/or physical abuse, in all walks of life.
[ 1st March, NES ]  At the end of February and into early March already cases are increasing, the 7 day rolling average number of new cases increased from four cases per day in mid February to 20 new cases per day on March 1, and if the trend continues March may be host a new spike in cases.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The CCCM has identified close to 1,766,874 people as being in need, including an estimated 1.5 million people in the north west and almost 266,874 in the North east Syria living in IDP sites, often with inadequate access to basic services.
[ Jan 2021, NWS ]  The risk of sudden, mass displacement continues, alongside the increasing needs of those who have been displaced multiple times and/or for protracted periods. Some 56 per cent of IDP households in North west Syria  ( NWS )  have been displaced for five years or more, while a further 31 per cent have been displaced for one to five years.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  A record 12.4 million people, 60 percent of the Syrian population, are now food insecure, according to the results of the nationwide food security assessment conducted in late 2020; by far the highest number ever recorded. The number of people food insecure has increased by 4.5 million people in just one year, with the number of people severely food insecure more than doubling.
[ Feb March, NES ]  The 7 day rolling average test positivity rate had similar trends to the number of active cases, down significantly from over 50% at the peak of transmission, it stayed under 10% from 3 February until 25 February, although it had reached almost 14% on March 1. The reduction in the number of 2 cases may be related to low testing rates, with 2,351 tests being conducted in January and only 1,484 tests in February.
[ 17 Feb, NWS ]  Mark Cutts, Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, "The United Nations has documented at least 14 cases of humanitarian workers killed in northwest Syria in the last 14 months as a result of airstrikes, shelling, car bombs and other improvised explosive devices. With an average of one humanitarian worker killed every 30 days, this makes northwest Syria one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers."
[ 2020, Overall Syria ]  Overall poverty is estimated close to 90 per cent, with an increase of 3 4 per cent points compared to 2019  ( emergence of “working poor' category ) . Extreme poverty is estimated between 55 and 65 per cent.
[  20 Feb, GoS ]  Health Ministry in Damascus, said that the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country reached 15094 of which 9064 cases recovered and 994 passed away.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  At the end of 2020, unemployment is estimated at 50 per cent of the working age population, and over 60 per cent of youth.
[ 21 Feb, Gos ]  Health Ministry in Damascus, said that the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country reached 15179 of which 9221 cases recovered and 998 passed away.
[ 22 Feb, NWS ]  The director of the vaccination program in the Assistance Coordination Unit, Muhammad al Salem, told that it was agreed with the concerned authorities to supply the vaccine to 20 percent of the population, adding that the first batch would be 120 doses, sufficient for 60 people.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Access to electricity remains low across the country, with less than 12 hours a day of electricity for 69 per cent of the communities.
[ 17th Feb 2021,NE Syria ]  However, significant improvement in vegetation was observed in November 2020, especially in north and southern governorates, due to the favorable rainfall during the first dekad of November 2020. In contrast, the Vegetation declined in the northeastern governorates and the eastern regions of the Badia, while the rest of the governorates the vegetation cover was better especially in the central and southern areas in December 2020. There was improvement in Hama, Homs and Southern governorates with some slight improvement being observed in North East, while the development of vegetation declined in southern regions of Aleppo, Idlib and the eastern part of the Badia.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  An estimated 6.9 million people  ( 97 per cent children )  need humanitarian education assistance with 94 per cent of school aged children living in areas with severe, extreme or catastrophic education conditions mainly concentrated in Aleppo, Idleb and Rural Damascus governorates.
[ 4 March 2021, NW Syria ]  The agriculture sector has been severely impacted, with loss of livelihood and income for many households. Currently about 0.2K people are at risk of food insecurity in NW Syria.
[ 22nd Feb, NWS ]  The exchange rate of the pound against the dollar in Aleppo was 3,400 for sale and 3,360 for buying. In Idleb, the pound recorded an exchange rate of 3,310 for sale and 3,270 for buying. Idleb is less affected than others by the cash crash due to the entry of foreign currency through the crossings with Turkey.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  Following the decrease of subsidized heating diesel allocation and the increase in demand during the winter season, the informal national average price of heating diesel has also increased  ( up 20 percent between November and December 2020, reaching SYP 1,050/litre ) . The increased demand for heating during winter combined with the continued lack of availability of formal butane cylinders resulted in a sharp increase in the price of butane gas cylinders, reaching SYP 19,014/refill in December – that is almost 6 times higher than the formal butane price  ( SYP 2,785/refill ) .
With nearly 60 percent of all cases in Idleb governorate and over a third of all cases at the time in Idleb sub district, the Idleb health authorities issued a statement on 6 November calling for additional support to hospitals, health centres and health workers in the area, and Idleb authorities have begun reintroducing temporary precautionary measures such as the closure of markets and suspension of in person schooling. Additionally, humanitarian partners are in the process of setting up the first quarantine centre in northwest Syria.
[ 2021 Overall Syria ]  According to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation  ( GAVI ) , an estimated 1.02 million vaccine doses will be allocated to Syria in Phase One, to be delivered by the end of the first quarter or during the second quarter of 2021, pending availability. Syria's rollout plan specifies that priority groups will be reached in both Government of Syria–controlled areas and in Syria's northeast   the latter of which has been a priority concern among the aid and development community. Crucially, the WHO will also support vaccine transportation throughout Syria and will reportedly oversee an automated pre registration platform to identify target groups.
[ 11 Feb, Overall Syria ]  On 11 February, the World Health Organisation  ( WHO )  announced details of the three phase COVID 19 vaccination plan in Syria. The Government of Syria's entry to the COVAX programme administered by the WHO marks the first and by far most important milestone to date in large scale vaccination in Syria.
[ 22 Feb, Overall Syria ]  The vaccination programme is to be carried out in Syria by targeting priority populations in three phases: Phase One: Healthcare workers and adults over 55 years old, an estimated 675,000 people  ( approx. 3 percent of the population ) . Phase Two: People with comorbidities, teachers, remaining older adults, and other essential workers, amounting to around 3.8 million people  ( an estimated 18 percent of the population )  Phase Three: To be determined
[ 2021 Overall Syria ]  Providing the vaccine to the most at risk populations and health care workers, who have faced mounting infections and deaths, will be a boon to aid and development interventions that have sought to prop up healthcare capacity. However, doing so does not show a light at the end of the tunnel for the COVID 19 pandemic in the country. Supply represents a major obstacle to the smooth rollout of the National Vaccine Deployment Plan.
[ 22 Feb, Overall Syria ]  Even populations who are nominally eligible for the first phase of vaccine rollout will struggle to receive their shots as a result of more deeply embedded concerns that are brought to the surface by bringing a conflict sensitivity lens to the issue. For instance, the WHO specifies that 76 hospitals and 101 primary healthcare facilities will be offering vaccinations in Government controlled areas, alongside 22 hospitals and 108 mobile teams in the northeast. On paper, this is a promising start that allays concerns over access and distribution to areas under control of the Kurdish led polity in the northeast. However, the mechanism for registration, specific local allocations, mobility and access conditions, and the potential security ramifications for registration are all concerns that remain to be addressed. Perhaps most notable is the concern that many Syrians, especially those with previous affiliation to opposition civilian or military entities, may forego participation in a system that collects personal data. The same is true of individuals wanted for conscription, or on other charges.