nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Respondents were also asked whether they have time, resource and space to support their children in homeschooling to better understand the reasons of not being able to provide homeschooling for children. 30.8% of the household reported that they are never able to provide any type of support to their children while 40% reported that they are sometimes capable to ensure basic support for homeschooling.
It is also important to note that the majority of the communities indicated that Government at the first stage as well as the NGOs which are primary supporter of the people in terms of services and aid; should facilitate means of support and job opportunities so that families who are suffering the impacts of the COVID 19 can provide for their children and family members
The assessment focused to understand whether homeschooling was provided to children during lockdown to learn more which children are missing out and why, analysis of which will help targeting education programme beneficiaries. The majority of respondents 53% reported that they are not homeschooling their children since the schools are closed while 46.9% that they are practicing homeschooling to some extent.
Lack of jobs and livelihood opportunities were the number one reason to migrate across all provinces except for Kunduz, where conflict and the general security situation are the most common reasons for migration  ( 43% ) .
In order to understand pandemic's effect on well being of children and adults, respondents were asked a number of questions related to mental symptoms of stress and anxiety, relations within the family, violence etc. For children, feeling of sadness was reported as the most frequent negative effect  ( 28% )  followed by mild symptoms such as lack of appetite or sleep  ( 26% )  as well as social withdrawal.
In order to understand pandemic's effect on well being of children and adults, respondents were asked a number of questions related to mental symptoms of stress and anxiety, relations within the family, violence etc. The most frequent negative effect reported by the households for adults is mild and isolated symptoms such as lack of appetite or sleep  ( 46% )  followed by increase in aggressiveness  ( 27% )  as well as deteriorated relationship in the household.
In terms of access to the essential services, restriction on some services were reported to be decreased while for some it increased. In particular, restrictions on accessing legal services have been increased from 35% to 42%.
Assessment teams identified 235 households  ( approximately 1,645 people )  displaced by conflict in Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days. Humanitarian assistance reached 763 households  ( approximately 5,341 people )  affected by conflict in Takhar and Kunduz provinces.
Survey participants were asked a number of protection related questions to better understand the needs and also potentially newly emerged protection issues in the community. The findings show that the most frequent concern reported by the households is drop out of children from school  ( 68.9% ) , followed by child labor 57.2% as well as reducing spending on the healthcare 24%.
The assessment measured, if households have access to water for a variety of purposes. The findings suggest that water is mostly partially available for the households. In particular, 47% of the households reported that they have fully available drinking and cooking water while 44% reported partial availability and 9% reported that it was not available at all.
Almost half of respondents   49.1% reported that they have food stock. Out of those who reported to have food stock, 23.2% reported that it will last only for one week followed by 14.7% reporting that stock will last for 2 3 weeks and 8.3% reported that their food stock is good for one month. Only 2% reported to have more than one month of food stock.
In terms of disruption in livelihoods activities, 85% of households reported that they are engaged in livelihood activities and the main causes of disruption are inputs being too expensive or inaccessible  ( 54% )  followed by transport limitations  ( 39.4% )  as well as the fact that people are being concerned about leaving household due to the outbreak  ( 34% ) . Other causes were also reported such as reduced demands for goods and services  ( 23.2% ) .
Households were asked to indicate how reduced income affected the health, education and social wellbeing of their family members. The second most frequently mentioned measure reported by 19.3% of the households is that they engage in high risk jobs, followed by begging reported by 10.5% of the households.
Households were asked to indicate how reduced income affected the health, education and social wellbeing of their family members. The findings are devastating and indicate child labor as an undesirable coping mechanism. Households reported that they deal with reduced income by sending children to work  ( 48.7% ) .
Regarding the changes in the income in the past two weeks  [ in June 2020 ] , 47.7% of the respondents reported that they have lost their jobs or revenues, while 40% reported no change and 9.8% of the households reported that they have restored secondary and alternative income sources during the past two weeks.
In general, respondents reported to have regular updates about the global pandemic from different sources. In particular, 58.9% of the respondents reported that they have access to information on COVID 19.
Household ability to meet needs: Products for babies, diapers  Not at all: 64%, Partially: 26%, Fully: 1%, Not Applicable: 9%
Household ability to meet needs: Shampoo, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products   Not at all: 30%, Partially: 63%, Fully: 3%, Not Applicable: 4%
Household ability to meet needs: Specialized therapy for people with disabilities  Not at all: 60%, Partially: 22%, Fully: 0%, Not Applicable: 17%
Household ability to meet needs: Rent payment   Not at all: 36%, Partially: 10%, Fully: 16%, Not Applicable: 37%
Income source before and since COVID 19 outbreak: Salaried with regular income   Before: 20%, After: 13.4%; Petty trade/selling on street   Before: 7.6%, After 5.6%; Daily/Casual Labour   Before: 52.6%, After: 49.9%; Remittance from abroad   Before: 2.4%, After: 1.5%; Migrant worker   Before: 2.7%, After: 1.5%; Agriculture/livestock   Before: 42.6%, After: 38.4%; Support from family/friends   Before: 1.7%, After: 2.7%; Own business/trade   Before: 8.6%, After: 6.6%; Government aid or social security net   After: 0.2%; Humanitarian aid   Before: 13%, After: 9.5%; Loan   Before: 9.5%, After: 15.2%
Household ability to meet needs: protection services   Not at all: 31%, Partially: 42%, Fully: 17%, Not Applicable: 10%
A total of 4,585 people in protracted displacement, host communities and recent returnees from Iran received humanitarian cash assistance and COVID 19 prevention information in Maymana city, Faryab province.
Poor infrastructure and harsh winter conditions are delaying nutrition services in hard to reach areas, including Daikundi province.
Telephone networks remain down and the main roads connecting Kandahar city and Arghandab, Panjwayi and Zheray districts are partially open but with a high threat of IEDs, especially in Deh Lavour, Nagahan and Shohen in addition to many culverts destroyed, leading civilians to use alternate roads.
The SG  [ Secretary General ]  recommends “the adoption of a standardized referral system for the reintegration of children who have been separated from parties to conflict, released from detention and/or rejected from recruitment centres.'
HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should measure progress towards stronger child protection through building in accountability mechanisms to the national policy covering Children in Conflict with Law approved by Ministry of Interior;
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to ensure the Commission is linked to INGOs who work on advocacy and capacity building of Non State Armed Groups.
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to facilitate the provision of impartial humanitarian assistance to children in need
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to release or disassociate all children from armed forces in safety and security, and whenever possible, in cooperation with specialized child protection actors
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to take concrete measures towards ensuring that children have access to adequate food, health care  ( including psycho social support ) , education, and where possible, leisure and cultural activities
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to work to ban anti personnel mines that are indiscriminate by nature like VOIED pressure plate improvised explosive devices, improvised mines or anti personnel mines of an improvised nature;
CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to ensure in its dialogue with Commission the issue of Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Devices  ( VOIED )  termed as Pressure Plated IED  ( PPIED )  is central as they cause most civilian casualties
The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on taking action to follow up the already endorsed Oslo Safe Schools Declaration and implement the Guidelines for Protecting Schools from Military Use and enhancing respect for IHL  [ International Humanitarian Law ] .
The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on the need for awareness raising and capacity building and a predictable funding source that allows for consistent planning, human resourcing, implementation and monitoring of the grave violations
IDP HHs reported very limited availability of basic services in their area due to the distance from Kabul city.As a coping mechanism, IDPs have developed a strong social support network to provide mutual assistance.
Women reported not having tazkira due to sociocultural barriers. Women also mentioned no knowledge of other civil documentation such as passport, marriage or death certificates.
The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on urging the Government to develop a prevention plan and to integrate the six grave violations into the National Child Protection Policy.
The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on ensuring that reintegration of these children  [ those associated with Armed Forces or groups ]  is positioned within a broader child protection, education and community based systems and plan strengthening over 3 5 years
The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on providing further support to ensure release children detained for alleged engagement with parties to the conflict, either as fighters, spies or in other roles.
IDPs reported that they left all of their belongings including NFIs behind. HHs have limited cooking supplies which are shared between families and community members, and HHs require emergency NFI support to meet their basic needs
1,505 people were reportedly displaced by ongoing fighting in Badakhshan province. Also, some 2,721 households  ( approximately 19,047 people )  were displaced from different insecure areas to Kunduz province. In Takhar, 250 households  ( approximately 1,750 people )  were displaced by conflict.
HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should encourage the National Commission on the Child Rights Protection Law which is chaired by the Second Vice President to establish stronger mechanisms for monitoring of the law;
HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should advocate for additional support to the Attorney General's Office Commission that is investigating the Logar case and encourages the Attorney General's Office to consider creating a semi permanent commission structure to expand investigations to other regions where similar complaints arise
HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should hold the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs accountable for the delivery of outcomes based upon resources it receives;
HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should identify priorities within the  [ Child RIghts Protection ]  law and advocate to government and donors to find ways to strengthen and implement those aspects of the law as soon as possible.
The SG  [ UN Secretary General ]  identified “swift implementation, particularly in Logar Province' of the Child Rights Protection Law, March 2019. This law, enacted through a Legislative Decree, protects children and prohibits bacha bazi and the recruitment and use of children can be a catalyst for improving accountability of those committing of child rights violations and for lobbying for the strengthening and resourcing the justice system.
International Military Forces should continue to conduct post operation reviews and investigations, and ensure transparency following allegations of civilian casualties from airstrikes and other operations, with a view to identifying broader patterns of harm, improving operational practice and promoting accountability, and ensuring adequate, effective and prompt reparations are provided for harm suffered
Government of Afghanistan should enforce the provisions in the revised Penal Code concerning bacha bazi and ensure accountability for crimes of sexual violence against children, including through adopting in Parliament the Law on the Protection of Child Rights of 2019, which criminalizes child recruitment, the use of children and the practice of bacha bazi, and by establishing effective investigation and disciplinary mechanisms for commanding and recruitment officers found responsible for child recruitment and use, as well as strengthening psychosocial support for survivors of sexual violence.
Afghanistan's border with Pakistan at Spin Boldak officially opened on 21 August and at Torkham on 28 September.
Afghan Red Crescent Society also engaged in providing livelihoods support  ( food and cash )  to 292,000 people, with a particular focus on people with disability, elderly  and female headed households. Youth volunteers distributed 33,150 hand soaps to a total of 6,800 displaced and poor families in Hirat, Balkh and Nangarhar provinces.
Afghan Red Crescent Society is also continuing immunisation activities in hard to reach areas combined with COVID 19 risk communication.
Only 165,628 people out of a population of 36.7 million have been tested. Afghanistan now has a test positivity rate – positive tests as a percentage of total tests – of 31 per cent, suggesting overall under testing of potential cases. The majority of recorded deaths were men between the ages of 50 and 79. Men account for 68 per cent of the total COVID 19 confirmed cases in the MoPH data, although this may be the result of overrepresentation of men in testing.
More than 440,000 people have been screened and 4,100 referred to relevant COVID 19 hospitals from Afghan Red Crescent Society's facilities, including Mobile Health Teams.
Additionally, COVID 19 health education has been provided to more than 1 million people. Another 960,000 people have been reached with COVID 19 related health education by community volunteers.
The Security Council should call for the protection, rights, well being, and empowerment of children affected by armed conflict to be fully incorporated and prioritized in ongoing and future efforts to build and sustain peace; and encourage and facilitate consideration of children's views in these processes where possible and compatible with the best interests of the child.
The Security Council should remind all parties that children should be considered primarily as victims, entitled to full protection of their rights, and urge the Government to develop and prioritize alternatives to detention whenever possible, ensuring the best interests of the child, in accordance with juvenile justice standards.
The Security Council should urge the Government to uphold its commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration and ensure full implementation of the Guidelines on Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.
The Security Council should urge the Government of Afghanistan to swiftly and fully implement its 2011 action plan and 2014 roadmap to end and prevent child recruitment and use by its security forces; to intensify efforts to end and prevent recruitment and use by the ANP and ALP; and to adopt a standardized referral system for the reintegration of children separated from parties to conflict, released from detention, or rejected from recruitment centers.
65 per cent of the sample population decided to migrate because of a lack of jobs and livelihood opportunities. 9 per cent cited conflict and the general security situation as their reason to migrate, 7 per cent made the decision due to the lack of economic growth or prosperity in the country. Financial problems/debts  ( 6% )  and security threats  ( 6% )  were also important reasons to migrate.
In Afghanistan, especially in the rural areas where the majority lives, women, even when they are affected by ill health or have COVID 19, are forced to do house chores, and take care of all family members and her children', says Omari. “And if she singly heads a household, or is displaced, or both – which is often the case in a war affected country – and has no income because of the pandemic, the task is simply overwhelming. Denying them and their daughters their equal rights, to work, income, education, and healthcare is a brutal violation."
"Now, with COVID 19, these restraints have only increased', Attaiy continues. “70% of the Afghan population depends on their daily income for survival. Being confined and without income, stress levels among households – which have seven members on average – soar up.'
IOM's Protection programme has supported 4,136 undocumented returnee households in 2020 through provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referrals pathways are exhausted.
Based on UNDP model simulations, Afghanistan would need approximately 30 percent  ( 460 billion Afs; around 6 billion USD )  increase in grants from the international community over the coming five years to cover government budget losses caused by the pandemic and maintain the level of expenditures initially planned in the IMF projections.
UNDP Afghanistan CGE model simulations on the impact of the pandemic estimate that corporate tax revenue would decline by an average of 17 percent between 2020 and 2024. Personal income tax revenue could potentially fall by around 18 percent. Revenue from tax on international trade would be heavily affected  ( down 19 percent )  owing to the reduction of the volume of imports. Taxes on goods and services could decline by around 10 percent.
Following the onset of the pandemic, consumption and investment have been constrained by social distancing measures, resulting in lower domestic revenues. This has, in turn, constrained the scope for effective countercyclical fiscal policy to maintain economic activity over the first half of the year. Government spending has also declined over recent months as a result of both declining revenues and administrative disruptions to development projects spending associated with social distancing measures  ( World Bank, 2020 ) .
While growth between 2021 and 2024 is expected to be positive along a V shaped recovery path, it is projected to be moderate, reflecting the rise in violence across the country coupled with the political uncertainty and challenges in the global economy. Without an effective recovery plan, the economy may not return to the growth path that was predicted before the pandemic in the coming years and losing an equivalent of approximately 12.5 percent GDP by 2024 in cumulative terms. This contraction in the economy will significantly reduce real GDP per capita.
For example, data from Afghanistan indicates that around 2,500 fewer Tuberculosis  ( TB )  cases were detected during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the final quarter of 2019. In a few cases, because central and regional labs were exclusively dedicated to COVID 19, some diagnostic services for TB, HIV and malaria were delayed. In addition, the infrastructure for MDR TB  ( Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis )  treatment in Kabul and provinces were allocated for COVID 19, which had negative consequences on MDR TB management in the country.
Prior to the emergence of COVID 19, insufficient progress had been made against eight of the SDG 3  ( good health and wellbeing )  targets, and progress against the remaining two targets was not measurable. However, the additional negative impact of COVID 19 on the progress towards the achievement of SDG 3 is likely to have been significant. Mainly due to the lockdown, fewer people have sought healthcare services outside emergency care. Routine services were severely affected with significant impacts on the capacity to treat communicable and non communicable diseases.
The total cost for the refugee chapter is $11.6 million. This includes: $250,000 for Education
The pandemic reached its peak in July 2020 according to MoPH experts. However, its negative impact was felt across the country's health services. The COVID 19 pandemic has revealed major capacity issues in the health sector of Afghanistan. There were serious challenges in the capacity to diagnose COVID 19, procure medical supplies and services, manage cases, and make available sufficient human resources. The country's capacity for carrying out surveillance and communicating risk also fell short of what would have been needed.
Based on official statistics, the total number of infection cases since February 2020 has now reached around 41,425 cases with 1,536 deaths. Over 100,000 tests led to the identification of COVID positive cases. Over 34,000 patients had recovered from the disease, with over 5,000 active cases, and 93 patients in critical condition.
The Afghanistan Joint Market Monitoring Initiative  ( JMMI )  was launched by the Afghanistan Cash and Voucher Working Group  ( CVWG )  and partners, in collaboration with REACH Initiative  ( REACH ) , and funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations  ( ECHO ) .
People with disabilities: According to Handicap International, the COVID 19 pandemic has exacerbated the isolation and exclusion of people with disabilities across the world. Essential health services – that are already insufficient in poor countries – have become even harder for people with disabilities to access due to COVID 19 restrictions or medical resources being prioritised to treat those with the virus.
Disabilities linked to old age have increased as life expectancy has risen.
Reports from Returnees: According to UNHCR's latest border monitoring report  ( covering 22 and 28 November ) , 35% of returnees interviewed at the Islam Qala and Milak border crossing points and 33 per cent of returnees interviewed at the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossing points said they faced problems during the COVID 19 outbreak in neighbouring countries, such as lost work/wages, discrimination/stigmatisation by local communities, lack of access to markets, pressure from authorities to return to Afghanistan, movement restrictions related to lockdowns, and lack of access to medical services.
Afghanistan now has a testpositivity rate – positive tests as a percentage of total tests – of 30%, suggesting overall under testing of potential cases. The majority of recorded deaths were men between the ages of 50 and 79. Men account for close to 69% of the total COVID 19 confirmed cases in the MoPH data, although this may be the result of over representation of men in testing.
64 boys recruited into armed groups: Taliban: 58; Afghan National Police: 3; Afghan Local Police and pro government militias jointly: 1; Pro government militias: 1
Girls and vulnerable households are particularly at risk  [ of dropping out of school ] , leaving a disadvantaged population further behind
Which, if any, of the following symptoms have you experienced in the last two weeks? Bad dreams: Male 4%, Female 7%; Difficulty sleeping: Male 12%, Female 19%; Frightening thoughts: Male 10%, Female 10%, Getting angry easily: Male 21%, Female 32%; Feeling worry: Male 55%, Female 66%; Feeling depressed: Male 33%, Female 51%; Losing interest in activities they normally enjoy: Male 15%, Female 12%.
While the latest official poverty measures report 55% of the Afghan population living under the poverty line, interviews with World Bank experts in April and May 2020 suggest this may now be as high as 80%, meaning even more households will struggle to meet basic needs.
The GoIRA  [ Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ] , with the support of various actors including the World Bank, are “developing a social relief package – through cash transfers and, if impractical, in kind – to support food security among socially vulnerable households.'
Addressing false information & misconceptions: The need for gendered awareness raising.
Addressing false information & misconceptions: Faulty linkages between COVID 19 and religion – in terms of both who will get it and who will recover from it. Advocacy with community and religious leaders on this point in particular is needed; faith alone is not enough to protect people.
the cost of food is becoming an issue and most respondents are reducing quantity and / or quality of their food
Addressing false information & misconceptions: Potential stigmatisation of returnees, in particular from Iran. Specific information can be shared around returns to reduce fear around returnees.
Government of Afghanistan, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and US government committed to support Afghanistan financially to fight against COVID 19. The last key measure taken by the government is announcement and implementation of partial lockdown in key provinces such as Kabul and Hirat which is replicated to other provinces spontaneously. In an effort to manage the outbreak appropriately all three deputy ministers and following the minister himself were replaced recently.
Other efforts were procurement of PCR  [ Polymerase Chain Reaction ]  kits to CPHL  [ Central Public Health Laboratory ]  for testing the samples, enhancing surveillance by development of case definitions and sample collection, expanding the PCR testing to five regional provinces, raising public awareness and focusing on mobilizing fund to support the programs. In order to manage the emergency a group of committees at country level were established and dedicated to fight COVID 19.
After WHO declaration of COVID 19 as a PHEIC  [ Public Health Emergency of International Concern ] , the MoPH  [ Ministry of Public Health ]  in Afghanistan get preparation and start taking actions. The key measures were activating and updating the national emergency plan, establishment of entry fever screening in key airports and land crossings, allocation of certain hospitals in Hirat, Kabul and few hospitals in other provinces for isolation of confirmed cases.
As a whole, on average CFR  [ Case Fatality Ratio ]  is 2% because in first month there was no death which led to zero fatality. However, since record of first case of death on 22nd March the average CFR is 1.63%.
On average, in last three months  [ Feb May 2020 ] , there was 1.40 time increase in number of confirmed cases
About half of cases  ( 53% )  were in young age group of 20 to 40 years.
Of total cases, 79.3% were male and 26.1% were female
Top six provinces by positivity rates   Nangarhar: 65.43%; Kunar: 64.78%; Balkh: 58.21%; Samangan: 54.60%; Jawzjan: 49.72%; Panjsher: 59.59%
Top six provinces with total number of COVID 19 cases in Afghanistan   Kabul: 7,556; Hirat: 3;428; Balkh: 1,329; Nangarhar: 901; Kandahar: 776; Paktya: 659
After more than three months now Kabul province with a total of 7,556 cases of whom 505 are recovered and 39 are death is on the top of the table and Urozgan by having five total case of whom one is recovered and no death is at the bottom.
COVID 19 highlights the urgency of training CPAN  [ Child Protection Action Network ]  staff on child protection, best case determinations, maintaining professional levels of confidentiality, and referrals to networks.
Children are given masks and gloves when they arrive in Afghanistan, followed by additional clothes and food at the transit center in Herat. They are also taken through information sessions about return in general and the virus in particular
HLP  [ Housing, Land, and Property ]  and shelter are a top priority for respondents. While the majority live in their own family homes, a significant minority  ( 44% )  rent accommodation.
Most families cannot afford buying gloves and masks, especially as prices have risen. Some social workers went even further, explaining that once they tell children to wash their hands, a common reaction is that they may not have access to soap at home.
Being able to return to school, to study and access education at the highest levels was one of the more common aspirations of deportee children. The ability to continue their education is seen as a way to improve their own life, but also that of their family, their community, and their country.
When asked directly “do you or anyone in your family need medical assistance?' 58% of survey participants answered ‘yes'. Of these, a little over a quarter reported needing heavier physical or psychological trauma support
Migration often marks the end of a child's educational trajectory – this is a break in their childhood, a turning point that is often difficult to come back from. The education system is not built to re accommodate or re integrate those who left school and decide to return, sometimes months or years later.
Social workers report that homes are too small for COVID19 quarantine requirements. Children are out playing in the streets due to the lack of space inside.
Human Rights Watch notes that due to cultural expectations around housework and other limitations, girls' education is particularly at risk.
Additional stress caused by worsening financial situations as well as quarantine and / or illness, are likely to contribute to worsening rates on these symptoms.
At the current point in time, most schools in Afghanistan are closed.
Stigma around mental health issues in Afghanistan may contribute to lower reporting numbers for men in particular, but many women will face additional challenges such as an increase in gender based violence while at home with limited ability to access remote forms of support.
On nearly every metric, women were more likely than men to have experienced nearly every symptom  [ of psycho social wellbeing ]  reported, with only 12% of women not having experienced any symptoms at all  ( versus 26% of men ) .
Despite the requirements of a negative PCR COVID 19 test to cross the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan through Torkham  ( which is in effect as of 19 December 2020 ) , during the reporting period, regular population movements  ( to/from Afghanistan )  continued through Torkham and Spin Boldak crossing points. The requirement for PCR test caused an overcrowded situation and little attention of travelers to observe the recommended COVID 19 preventive measures  ( e.g. physical and social distancing ) . The requirement to present negative PRC test was not applied at Spin Boldak crossing point.
Limited data exists on psycho social wellbeing in Afghanistan, but existing surveys all point to one fact: needs are high and services low of psychosocial support in Afghanistan.
several  [ respondents ]  mentioned turning towards illegal means of earning money. “No one gives loans. I have to steal because there is no other option   I sold my livestock and I have  ( no )  more livestock to sell.'
[ A total of 2,704 interviews were conducted with deportees  ( 2,425 M and 279 F ) , including 2,687 from Iran and 17 from Pakistan.  ]  Almost all of the interviewed deportees from Iran  ( 99.5% )  and Pakistan  ( 73% )  cited that lack of documentation and irregular entry to n Country of Prior Residence  ( CoPR )  as the reasons provided to them for their deportation. Close to 27% of interviewed deportees from Pakistan stated that they were deported due to lack of a work permit. In 2020, the figure was 0.9% among all interviewed deportees from Iran, while it was not reported by the interviewed deportees from Pakistan. Almost all of the interviewed deportees from Iran and Pakistan stated that they were deported in the absence of a court order. So far, only one deportee, who was deported from Iran, stated that he was deported following a court order.
The director of Pazhwak Media stated that prior to the pandemic, one kilogram of lemons could be purchased for 50 AFN  ( 0.65 USD ) .During its height, the cost of lemons increased to 400 450 AFN  ( 5.21 5.86 USD ) , which many were unable to afford.
In addition, to refugee returnees, according to MoRR/IOM, the total number of undocumented returnees reached 58,625 individuals during January 2021, consisting of 57,978 from Iran  ( 30,636 spontaneous returnees and 27,342 deportees )  and 647 from Pakistan  ( 542 spontaneous returnees and 105 deportees ) .
Since 01 January, UNHCR assisted the return of 121 Afghan refugees from Iran  ( 101 )  and Pakistan  ( 20 ) , under its facilitated voluntary repatriation programme. Refugee returnees receive, upon arrival, a multi purpose cash grant  ( on average USD 250 per person )  and other services  ( such as basic health care, malnutrition screening and vaccination, mine risk awareness, information on school enrolment, awareness raising about COVID 19, distribution of PPE, if needed, and overnight accommodation )  at Encashment Centers  ( ECs )  located in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, and Nangarhar provinces. UNHCR's cash grants to refugee returnees are intended to address immediate needs aiming to prevent, reduce, and respond to protection risks and vulnerabilities upon return to Afghanistan.
As of late November 2020, the number of new COVID 19 cases reported daily has continued to increase, though cases per day are still less than a third of what was reported at the peak of the outbreak in May/June 2020. However, these figures are expected to underestimate the true number of infections due to limited testing. Despite this increasing trend, the government is not expected to resume enforcement of strict lockdown measures during the projection period. The increasing number of new cases in Afghanistan will likely reduce affected households' ability to earn income while increasing health costs. Meanwhile, increasing cases and preventative measures in other countries in the region particularly Iran will likely continue to restrict remittances.
There may be wide ranging consequences of the belowaverage cumulative precipitation expected due to La Niña, including: below average snow accumulation, reduced snow water volumes and runoff, lower water availability for winter and spring wheat from March through May because of deficient and uneven distribution of spring rains, belowaverage wheat production, reduced water availability for second crop cultivation from July through September, and over reliance on groundwater.
The North American Multi Model Ensemble forecast for December 2020 February 2021 continues to indicate a high probability of above average temperatures across the country during this period. The forecast of persistent above average temperatures may initiate earlier than normal snowmelt, which may result in reduced water availability for crop water use in summer months. Above average temperatures and reduced water availability may result in moisture stressing wheat cultivation during the growing season, especially in the rain fed belt.
Below average precipitation and above average temperatures are expected due to La Niña conditions through the end of March 2021. Overall, the northern wheat belt may be stressed by reduced water availability and increased water demand during the 2021 season.
4,000 most vulnerable families were reached out in 10 provinces with in kind and cash pledge shelter support from partners from March 2019   30 September 2020.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock  ( MAIL ) , food prices generally remained stable or slightly decreased between September and October 2020, though prices remain significantly above average at the national level. Overall, above average food prices and below average income earning opportunities are expected continue constraining food access for many poor urban households, with Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes expected through May 2021 in the absence of assistance.
In Hilmand province, the security situation has remained unstable since the start of the conflict in mid October with fighting ongoing on the main road connecting Kandahar to Lashkargah.
Some 30,000 people received hygiene supplies as part of the COVID 19 response in Hirat province. The majority of assisted people are IDPs who were displaced in 2018 due to the drought and are still living in substandard conditions on private land and under a constant threat of eviction.
In another incident, two civilians were reportedly killed by an IED detonation in Lablan Yakari village in Gizab district, Uruzgan province.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator  ( OCHA )  allocated US$15 million for humanitarian action in Afghanistan from the Central Emergency Response Fund  ( CERF ) .
Since the start of the pandemic, the United Nations and its partners have screened 500,000 people at border points.
( 20 31 December 2020 )  IOM's Protection programme supported 4,273 undocumented returnee households comprising at least one Person with Specific Needs  ( PSN )  in 2020 through the provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referral pathways are exhausted.
Since 01 January, UNHCR assisted the return of 1,983 Afghan refugees from Pakistan  ( 1,042 ) , Iran  ( 861 )  and other countries  ( 80 )  including Tajikistan, India, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation, under its facilitated voluntary repatriation programme. After a temporary suspension of voluntary repatriation between 04 March and 29 April due to COVID 19, UNHCR resumed its facilitated voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran as of 30 April and from Pakistan and other countries as of 10 August.
124,206 children reached with home based learning materials across 14 provinces by Education Cluster partners.
Humanitarian assistance reached 2,370 households  ( approximately 16,920 people )  affected by conflict in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces.
Advocate with govt and INGos for income generation projects for IDP families to reduce /stop child labor/marriage negative coping mechanism
This week, 693 IDPs received humanitarian assistance in Maidan Wardak and Logar provinces and food distributions to 6,125 IDPs are ongoing in Gizab district, Uruzgan province.
Between January and August 2020, the United Nations and its partners provided emergency shelter, household items and cash support to more than 52,000 people affected by predictable floods.
Since the start of the pandemic, the United Nations and its partners have provided psychosocial support to 218,000 people.
Since the start of the pandemic, the United Nations and its partners have traced 556,000 people.
Ongoing conflict in most provinces has led to displacement, caused loss of livelihoods, or affected people's livelihoods. As a result, farmers don't have access to their agricultural lands for cultivation and harvesting at the right time, with a similar effect on livestock and other sectors.
Unseasonably high food prices of commodities already in the post harvest time have negatively impacted the purchasing power of people and further exacerbated the constrained food access, especially for the households already living below the poverty line.
The World Bank, the United Nations and the Data for Development Working Group completed preparations for the launch of a pilot project aimed at supporting the National Statistics and Information Authority in improving data collection and coordination. To be implemented from August 2020 through January 2022, the initiative is funded by a $400,000 grant from the Humanitarian Development Peacebuilding the Peacebuilding Support Office.
On 18 July, the President inaugurated the Government's COVID 19 economic assistance package, aiming to use $244 million to support 90 per cent of households. The first phase will allocate $86 million to provide food assistance to over 1.7 million families in 13,000 villages across all 34 provinces.
As of mid July, approximately 10,000  ( including nearly 400 women )  out of the estimated total of 41,000 prisoners and detainees at the time of the first decree on 26 March had been released for the purpose of COVID  19 prevention.
On incidents related to children, the country task force noted the likelihood of underreporting owing to the highly sensitive nature of rape and sexual violence and the cultural stigma surrounding such incidents.
During the second quarter, the task force verified at least 19 children  ( all boys )  recruited and used by the Taliban for combat roles, in particular in the north   eastern region, an increase in the verified cases compared with 4 children during the previous quarter.
On 2 and 3 August, ISIL KP  [ Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant   Khorosan Province ]  claimed a complex attack on a prison in Jalalabad City, leading to the escape of members of ISIL K and the Taliban. Over 70 casualties were reported, including among the Afghan national security forces, prisoners and civilians. There were 12 incidents involving United Nations personnel during the reporting period, including 8 incidents of intimidation, and 4 criminal  related incidents.
All Anti Government Elements should cease all attacks and threats against schools and education personnel, and ensure that children's access to education is notimpeded by military operations
All Anti Government Elements should continue to take measures to implement directives prohibiting the recruitment and use of children and ensure accountability for those commanders who recruit and use children;
A total of 22 basic health facilities remained closed in Samangan province with negotiations ongoing to reopen the health facilities.
From 1 January to 31 December 2020, The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan  ( UNAMA )  documented 8,820 civilian casualties  ( 3,035 killed and 5,785 injured ) , a 15 per cent reduction from the number of civilian casualties recorded in 2019 and the lowest number of civilian casualties since 2013
It is anticipated that the population of concern in Khost and Paktika will have improved access to education and employment, as well as greater freedom of movement enabling them to become more self reliant over time.
The nominal retail price of wheat grain in Mazar e sharif was maximum in October 2020 and was minimum in September 2020.
A number of NGOs also have hiring policies for national staff that are designed to make it easier for women, who often have not had the same educational opportunities as men, to enter the humanitarian workforce.
There continues to be a well established and expanding humanitarian presence in the six provinces identified in the HNO as having the highest severity of needs – Farah  ( 18 organisations ) , Ghor  ( 19 organisations ) , Badghis  ( 20 organisations ) , Faryab  ( 24 organisations ) , Hilmand  ( 28 organisations )  and Uruzgan  ( 25 organisations ) . In the first quarter of 2020, there was a further increase in the number of partners operating in all six provinces.
Most injuries to aid workers occurred during criminally  motivated incidents. All 8 incidents leading to the abduction of 20 aid workers occurred when aid workers were mistaken for government officials; all were released after their identity was confirmed.
While some commercial flights have resumed on an ad hoc basis, the sudden closure of the majority of commercial services underscores the importance of consistent resourcing of UNHAS  [ UN Humanitarian Air Service ]  capacity.
Fertilizer  ( DAP ) : The average price increased by 0.3% compared to the fourth week of November. The increase occurred in Ghor and Urozgan  ( 4% ) , Takhar, Hilmand and Kunar  ( 2% ) , due to increased demand. Meanwhile prices decreased in Kandahar  ( 6% ) , due to improved supply. Prices were highest in Takhar followed by Badakhshan, Zabul and Paktya  ( 3,100, 3,000, 2,920 and 2,917 per 50 kg, respectively ) , while prices were lowest in Nimroz, Parwan and Ghazni  ( AFN 2,000, 2,023 and 2,200 per 50 kg bag, respectively ) .
Life expectancy rose significantly during this period  [ the decade between the end of the Taliban regime and 2012 ] , from 45 and 47 for women and men respectively, to 61 and 62 years, as reported by the Afghan Mortality Survey  ( AMS ) .
The MoPH  [ Ministry of Public Health ]  has also been heavily involved in the Afghan government's COVID 19 response.