nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
collective shelters have minor damages to windows and doors observing several broken glasses from damaged windows. 12 collective shelters have moderate damages to windows and doors, while 14 collective shelters have severe damage to windows and doors indicating that many doors and windows in the building were damaged or destroyed.
Due to difficulties in addressing basic needs, households are at risk of adopting negative coping mechanisms, which often disproportionally affect children. Increases in gender based violence  ( GBV )  and child rights violations have also been reported by partners. Moreover, partners are concerned that persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, are at an increased risk of experiencing violence, abuse and neglect.
57 collective shelters have no lighting in the hallway outside the toilet. 19 of those shelters are currently without electricity and would be less likely to light the hallways. This could increase the risk for GBV.
If applying the post emergency standard of 20 people or less per toilet, 22 collective shelters have 20 women or more per one latrine, while 23 collective shelters have 20 men or more per one latrine.
On May 31, the cabinet cancelled the curfew, but adopted a plan to reimpose it when needed. Also, it reopened all tourism and entertainment sites, including parks and restaurants. The measure will be evaluated within 30 days. For now, the activities of cultural centres, theatres, and cinemas will resume at 30 percent capacity.
The collective shelters with the most issues are in Afrin, where all 6,145 IDPs reported at least 4 key issues with their shelters. Al Bab also reflected a high rate of issues, with 80% of the shelters reporting leaking and the lack of sufficient lighting. The most common types of issues per collective shelters are reported at poultry farms, schools, factories, cellars, and shops. In terms of other issues, one key informant made a recommendation that the collective shelter rooms should be partitioned with concrete blocks to enable privacy in larger open spaces.
Poor sanitation facilities impact women heavily, namely because the collection, storage and management of water, the cleaning of the facilities, bathing children, and cooking falls to them. When these facilities are lacking, women must work harder and family tensions often increase if these tasks aren't achieved, potentially resulting in cases of GBV
Only 6 collective shelters report having equipped disabled friendly latrines available within the shelter, while 81 collective shelters do not, impacting a total of 331 IDPs with disabilities living in the centres without equipped disabled friendly latrines
80 collective shelters reported various issues with the living conditions in the collective shelters. 69 collective shelters reported lack of heating. 62 collective shelters reported lack of lighting.
However, on 22 June a repatriation flight brought 250 Syrian students who had been reportedly stranded in India to Damascus
Practicing good hygiene is still the measure focal points identify as most important to their communities. Though communities also recognise that wearing a facemask and social distancing are important, these meaures are among the most difficult to adhere to. When asked why adopting these measures is difficult, the leading response is still that communities simply do not want to abide by them  ( 54% ) . Other top reasons include the fear of losing aid  ( 40% )  or jobs  ( 31% ) . The economic situation – with soaring prices, unprecedented depreciation of the Syrian pound, and lack of access to remittances – means that people's ability to adhere to these measures is increasingly fraught because they need to hold on to their jobs and maintain their daily activities in order to afford basic goods
Facemask usage remains low: only 29% of the focal points in GoS areas report that their community members wear them, and the numbers drop to 12% in NSAG/TBAF and 7% in SDF areas. Without distributions of PPE, community members often cannot find masks in stores or afford them where they are available, which makes it hard to take this simple and important precaution. 8 Ibid. 7 This data is sourced from HNAP's round 10 dataset with analysis by GTS. Please note that this dataset includes feedback from only 197 focal points in GoS; 43 in NSAG/TBAF; and 45 in SDF areas of control. 9 Ibid.
Health authorities have recorded in the past 24 hours four new coronavirus cases in north western Syria.
These findings must be placed in the wider context of economic deterioration in Syria. Data collected in January shows that over 50% of households in all three areas of control were income insufficient.15 People's diminished ability to meet their needs cannot be attributed solely to the impact of COVID 19, but income  ( in ) security influences people's ability to adopt precautionary measures. This coincides with the fact that the depletion of resources resulting from the Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act has exacerbated the May economic crisis.
One case was recorded in rural Aleppo in the areas held by Turkish backed factions.
[ 7th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Meanwhile, Ministry of Health official records indicate that the total number of people who tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic increased to 4,457 this week from 4,148 cases last week, including 3,065 active cases, 1,183 recoveries, and 209 fatalities.
As of 16 August, 105 cases were announced as imported and 203 as a secondary case  ( exposure/contact with a known case ) . Nearly 24 per cent of cases presented as severe/critical required hospitalization, including, in some cases, oxygenation or mechanical ventilation in intensive care units  ( ICUs ) , Syrian MoH data revealed.
Three new cases were recorded, one in al Bab town in Aleppo countryside, and the rest in Idlib countryside.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ]  Health workers comprise 15 percent of all confirmed COVID cases in northeast Syria; in the northwest it's 35 percent.
The GoS continues to maintain a widespread easing of preventive measures introduced throughout May. However, in recent weeks, as additional clusters of reported cases have emerged, lockdowns have been imposed on Ras al Ma'ara town and Jdaidit al Fadel town in Rural Damascus. Between 29 April   13 May, eleven incoming repatriation flights holding some 2,270 Syrian nationals arrived in the country; 78 passengers on these flights were later confirmed as having COVID 19 cases  ( mainly from Kuwait, UAE and Sudan ) , prompting the suspension of all such flights.
The crisis has caused the loss of 30 to 40 percent of livestock animals in the Syrian Arab Republic, and this situation has been worsened by restriction measures implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.
According to United Nations estimates, 7.9 million people in the Syrian Arab Republic in 2020 are food insecure and an additional 1.9 million people are at risk of food insecurity.
The United Nations has raised concerns over the "widespread" transmission of the new coronavirus in war torn Syria, where healthcare facilities are under increasing pressure and limited testing is obscuring the real extent of the pandemic.
[ Whole of Syria, June 2020 ]  The rate of poor food consumption more than doubled between June 2019 and June 2020 for both IDPs and IDP returnees, going from five percent to 11 percent of respondents, while poor food consumption levels increased at a somewhat slower rate for residents  ( from four to seven percent ) .
[ Whole of Syria, June 2020 ]  Up to 42 percent of interviewed female headed households reported having either poor or borderline food consumption compared to 33 percent of male headed households.
Additionally, pharmacies were reported to be available both in assessed and nearby communities, but primary care facilities and hospitals were more commonly reported in other/nearby communities, emphasizing the need for many to travel when seeking specialised medical care.
The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium contributed USD 450 000 to FAO, through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities  ( SFERA ) , to improve the food security and nutrition of 17 200 vulnerable cattle breeders affected by the crisis and the outbreak of lumpy skin disease.
IRC President David Miliband said the suspension, renewed in July, "has left millions bereft of essential medicine and health supplies in the midst of this outbreak".
Shelter sector partners in coordination with MoLAE continue assessments  ( including interagency missions )  to determine needed repairs to address issues such as overcrowding, poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation facilities, with upgrades completed in 21 shelters to date.
The Damascus Securities Exchange has announced that it was limiting trade to one day per week, on Mondays, down from five previously. The Central Bank of Syria has meanwhile asked banks and foreign exchange companies to limit their operations and working hours as much as possible, but to remain open. Several business events have been cancelled or postponed, such as the Aleppo International Trade Fair, which has been postponed from April 11 17 to June 20 26.
23% of older people reported they were “30 min to 1 hour' away from the nearest testing facility. This was followed by less than 30 minutes away  ( 17% )  and between 1 to 2 hours away  ( 14% ) .
Meanwhile, in northeast Syria, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria  ( AANES )  extended its 7 pm – 6am curfew to June 06. However, public transport has resumed, while workers at AANES's administration also resumed working full time. Restaurants, cafes, schools, and universities remain closed.
While international land crossings remain closed, over the past couple of weeks 13 flights by Syrianair from nine countries brought back 2,270 passengers. The repatriation process is currently limited to Syrian citizens as well as to their wives and children. Returnees stay in quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Since 28 April, repatriation flights for Syrian nationals have progressively arrived, with approximately 2,940 nationals – out of around 10,000 who registered – repatriated from various locations to date. During the reporting period, a repatriation flight from Iraq arrived, carrying approximately 250 Syrian nationals, who remain in quarantine.
[ 29 Oct 2020 ]   [ Idleb ]  The constant displacement and poverty, and the trend of youth and children towards the labor market to secure a source of livelihood for them, are all reasons that fueled the dropout of many Idlib students from their schools
However, the lack of understanding of and adherence to precautionary measures still indicates a need to disseminate information on how communities can continue to abide by some key measures without jeopardising their livelihoods. Explaining how the measures are adapted and practical to the context could help reduce the prevalent fear of losing employment and aid services.
[ 19th December, 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Saturday that 122 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 51 patients have recovered while 10 others have passed away.
[ 29 Oct 2020 ]   [ Idleb ]  According to the Supervisor of the Idleb Education Complex, one of the barriers facing the educational process in Idleb is the stopping of European support for the education sector in the liberated north of Syria a year ago.
A handful of people reference taking vitamins and antibiotics, and eating a healthy diet to boost their immune system. Secondary research in the four Northern Governorates indicates a prevalence of local beliefs such as drinking boiled herbs, garlic, and exposing oneself to high temperatures.
Finally, two explosions in Jarabluse and Afrinf resulted in casualties. Despite these occurrences, IDPs continued to return to communities in Idleb and Aleppo, and the Camp Coordination & Camp Management Cluster recorded roughly 75,000 returnees in Mayg  ( see REACH's returnee zoom in for June 2020 ) .
[ 7th October 2020, NE Syria ]  In the northeast, the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria  ( AANES )  said today that the number of positive cases increased to 2,046 up from 1,618 last week, which represents an increase of 26 percent.The number of recoveries stood at 516 and the number of deaths at 73
Transportation challenges as well as the high cost and shortages of medication and health supplies were commonly reported as barriers to healthcare by KIs.The inability to pay for transportation needed to reach health facilities was the most commonly reported barrier to healthcare access
The largest hygiene kit distribution took place in war torn Syria, with MCC partner Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue  ( FDCD )  distributing kits in April and May to internally displaced families in conflict areas, including the city of Aleppo.
Despite school closures, communities across NWS reportedly sought solutions to the challenges surrounding lack of education access for children. Region wide, COVID 19 preventative measures led to the nearly complete closure of schools, resulting in children in 99% of assessed communities reportedly unable to access education. Access to education was primarily hindered by the closure of schools as a result of preventative measures against the spread of COVID 19 taken by local authorities.
Thanks to Belgium's support, FAO plans to conduct a large scale vaccination campaign against the disease, providing 500 000 vaccine doses. Moreover, FAO will support 600 small scale herders in Lattakia Governorate with 300 tonnes of animal feed to enable herders to enhance their livelihood and produce quality animal products.
[ 21 Nov 2020, Idlib ]  The Syrian Observatory has monitored the tragic situation of a camp housing displaced people from the eastern countryside of Ma'rat al Numan, which is located west of the town of Ma'rat Misrin near the town of Batanta, north of Idlib city. The camp is home to nearly 2,000 people scattered in 450 tents, which do not protect the inhabitants of the winter cold.
The Health Ministry has set the four–digit number 9195 for booking an appointment for a Coronavirus PCR test for people intending to travel at the dedicated centers in Damascus.
This month, the humanitarian context in northwest Syria  ( NWS )  was shaped by rapid currency depreciation and the unaffordability of basic goods. On 9 June, the lowest exchange rate to date was recorded, with 3,175 Syrian Pounds equalling 1 US Dollar.a Rising food prices meant that both residents and internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  struggled to afford essential items  ( as reported in 78% and 83% of communities, respectively ) .
In addition, complementing messaging and outreach activities, IPC based interventions are also particularly critical in areas where sanitation conditions and hygiene practices are poor. Overall, gaps remain most extensive in informal settlements, informal camps  ( where NGOs are generally leading the response ) , as well as in collective centres outside Hassakeh city. In Deir ez Zor alone, almost 3,000 households living in these last resort sites are currently not being covered with any COVID 19 related assistance to support infection prevention
UNDP support to rehabilitation of wells and pumping stations in Al Hasakeh also continues. UN HABITAT also continue to improve IPC at the municipal level in Homs and Hama cities and also in Dar'a, including through solid waste collection, rehabilitation of sewer pipelines, and support of medical waste treatment, as detailed in prior reports. In the reporting period, UN HABITAT launched a procurement process for solid waste quick impact projects in Homs and Hama, targeting the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, IDPs and female headed households
In NES local authorities continue to provide exemptions for humanitarian goods and personnel at the Fishkabour/Semalka informal border crossing. While in May to mid June, Fishkabour/Semalka had been opened periodically for returns of Syrian nationals, with an estimated 1,216 Syrian refugees returning from Iraq to Syria during that time, local authorities recently announced that from 13 July, all border crossing points to NES are closed as a precautionary measure against COVID 19
On 13 July, following confirmed cases of COVID 19 among judiciary and staff, authorities announced a reduction in daily court sessions in the Justice Palace. On 15 July, the Ministry of Finance announced that employment would be suspended for female employees with children in the Ministry and directorates. On 20 July, the MoH announced that halls utilized for events including weddings and condolence gatherings would be closed, unless open air, in which case a 40 per cent capacity must be adhered to.
Otherwise, the daily curfew remains lifted, as has the travel ban between and within governorates. Markets, restaurants, cafes, gyms, parks, theaters, cinemas and most leisure facilities remain open, so long as precautionary measures are adopted. Mosques and churches are allowed open, so long as physical distancing is observed. Public and private transportation services have also resumed, as have universities and institutions. In the reporting period, the Minister of Health publicly stated that broad based restrictions would not be re imposed due to economic and social impacts.
The first positive case in the northeast was also announced a 53 year old who later died from the disease. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria  ( AANES )  meanwhile reiterated its criticism of the World Health Organisation, which it accuses of not cooperating in expanding local testing and treatment capacity. In Idlib and areas under Turkish control, no positive cases have been reported
Restrictions remain in place at most other crossing points inside Syria. Abu Zendin, Um Jloud and Awn Dadat in Aleppo remain closed, as does Akeirshi and Abu Assi in Ar Raqqa. Al Taiha in Aleppo is reported open for commercial traffic. From 17 July, Ghazawiyet Afrin and Deir Ballut in Aleppo are closed for civilian movement; military are still reported to be allowed to cross. On 20 July, Bab Al Hawa in Idleb partially re opened for humanitarian workers and emergency medical cases to cross to Turkey after a week's closure following reported cases of COVID 19 in Idleb.
A major reason for the very small number of positive cases is that the number of daily tests conducted by the ministry is itself very small. On April 06, Minister of Health Nizar Yazigi said that the ministry was conducting around 100 tests per day and was aiming to increase that to 200 and then 300.
[ October 1,2020 Overall Syria ] Since the beginning of COVID 19 spread in March 2020, most of households in Syria, started taking precautionary and preventive measures against the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the economic impact of COVID 19 continues to be felt across Syria. Although prices and availability fluctuate, overall significant price increases and some shortages in basic goods  ( on average 40 50 per cent in food staples )  and personal sterilization items  ( on average 300 per cent increase )  have been reported since mid March, while fuel prices  ( both diesel and gas )  are on the rise, costing more than 115 per cent and 337 per cent respectively in the informal market, compared to the formal, government subsidized prices.
The informal exchange rate has deteriorated further over the reporting period, weakening to its lowest point on record  ( over Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  1,850 on 19 May ) ; although it had recovered slightly at around SYP 1,750 at the time of reporting. On 26 March, the Central Bank of Syria adjusted the official rate from SYP 438 to SYP 704  ( a 61 per cent devaluation ) , however, the GoS Ministry of Trade retains access to the former rate to enable cheaper purchases of basic commodities.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  While as of late August, there were only 59 known cases of Covid 19 in northwest Syria, the actual number of cases is likely much higher due to limited testing
During the reporting period the lockdowns on Jdeidet al Fadl in Quneitra and Ras al Ma'ara in Rural Damascus, were lifted after reports that sufficient numbers of samples tested negative. Further reports indicate some other recent lockdowns of private and public buildings due to COVID 19 in various locations, including in NES.
In May, the Health sector reported supporting 759,802 medical procedures and 262,015 treatment courses. UNRWA has reported resuming health services in recent weeks, although this remains under review should circumstances necessitate. UNFPA also continues to provide maternal and neonatal health services and GBV prevention and response services, with 240,343 people receiving reproductive health, awareness raising, and MHPSS since March. In addition, UNICEF report that nutrition activities are ongoing. Education activities have also increased in recent weeks, including in Al Hol camp.
Reports indicate that even households with regular income are being adversely affected as the cost of living has spiraled. For example, WFP's national average reference food basket  ( a group of basic goods providing 1,930kcal per day for a family of five for a month ) , cost on average SYP 84,095 in June, exceeding the highest paid official government monthly salary of SYP 80,240. In October 2019, WFP's national average reference food basket was SYP 25,424
UNDP is supporting rehabilitation at three hospitals, while another partner has completed light rehabilitation of WASH systems at Dar'a  ( Al Bassel Education Centre ) , and is progressing work at the Health Institute in Deir Ez ZorWHO continues to deliver case management trainings  ( resuscitation and ventilation management ) . Within the past month, 50 health workers were trained in Aleppo and Dar'a, with more planned in Queneitra, Damascus and As Sweida. UNFPA has also supported its implementing partners for online training in emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID 19, with 547 health care workers enrolled from Damascus, Aleppo, Al Hasakeh and Hama
The UNCT in Syria is focused on reinforcing comprehensive, multi sectoral preparedness and mitigation measures for COVID 19. At the same time, the UNCT is also focused on protecting, assisting and advocating for the most vulnerable, including IDPs, refugees and host communities particularly vulnerable to the pandemic, including by, to the extent possible, working to continue principled programme delivery and provision of life saving assistance across the country. WHO is the lead agency and is working to support the MoH in enhancing health preparedness and response to COVID 19, in accordance with the International Health Regulations  ( IHR 2005 ) .
Local supply chains in NES have been affected by disruptions to cross border and cross line commercial activity and the overall economic crisis, while partners also face restrictions on procuring and importing items from KRI, including restricted humanitarian supply movement across the border. Over the past weeks there have been widespread reports of shortages in basic medicines at pharmacies in NES, with over 80 per cent of all pharmaceuticals in NES manufactured within Syria. This has contributed to an increase in prices at both public and private facilities, already contributing to an increase of admissions at ‘free' healthcare points, including NGO supported facilities.
In particular, WHO, acting on the eight pillars of the global WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, continues engaging the MoH and health partners to enhance technical capacity and awareness, including on rational use of PPEs, case management, infection prevention and control, environmental disinfection, and risk communication; and is focused on procuring and enhancing integral medical supplies including in laboratory testing and PPE, for case management and healthcare facilities.
Need for an air cargo transport service to the northeast in support of the COVID 19 response.
International repatriation flights landing in Damascus and Lattakia international airports from multiple locations are ongoing with approximately 2,950 people repatriated so far – out of a reported 10,000 registered. The most recent repatriation flight reported was aflight for approximately 260 Syrian nationals from Erbil on 16 July. In recent weeks, a reported 2,000 Syrian nationals residing in Lebanon have also reportedly returned through land crossings, mainly Maasna border point.
In a context of economic instability, information about how to access financial support and other livelihoods assistance was an urgent need for communities. Nonetheless, 3% of responding communities reported access to livelihoods support. While 76% of communities accessed humanitarian assistance, 92% of those reported that the aid was insufficient, pointing to unmet needs within communities
[ 14th oct 2020,Northeast Syria ] More positive cases were also reported in northeast Syria, with an increase to 2,517 positive cases from 2,046 last week, including 595 recoveries and 86 fatalities.
Several local CSOs are launching awareness campaigns and are developing several response strategies that could complement IHD and other medical NGOs responses towards the pandemic, such as sharing some of their available financial and human resources, launching video conferences to spread awareness about COVID 19, and increasing the accessibility to health facilities and the community isolation centres.
As of 11 June, six health cluster members reported utilizing 345 awareness workers to reach 19,853 beneficiaries with different awarenessraising activities, 459 NGO workers participated in related trainings. Clusters have collaboratively distributed 720,000 food parcels with soap, including 420,000 with COVID 19 stickers, instead of the in person distribution of brochures.
Only two land crossings with regime areas remain open for humanitarian cases and students  ( Al Tayha near Manbij, and Tabqa near Raqqa ) .
Human resources, vehicles for referrals, equipment and supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment  ( PPEs )  were increased at 7 PoEs. In the first two weeks of July, about 152,000 travellers were screened by medical staff.
The WHO response in NWS appears noticeably absent. At time of writing, no COVID 19 testing kits have been sent to this region, despite the delivery of such kits to the central government almost a month ago.
The rehabilitation and light maintenance of WASH facilities in 14 collective shelters in Hama, Tartous, Lattakia and Homs has been completed with PUI support. PUI is awaiting approval to commence light rehabilitation of WASH systems at two other shelters in Damascus. UNICEF has finalized the preparations to rehabilitate WASH facilities in informal settlements in As Sweida.
There are also more than 600,000 internally displaced people  ( IDPs )  in NES, 200,000 of whom were displaced since October 2019 as a result of the Turkish military operations in northern Syria.
Of the 82 fatalities in GoS controlled areas, 48 were in Damascus, 8 were in Homs; 6 were in As Sweidaa; 5 were in Aleppo ; 3 were in Rural Damascus, 3 were in Tartous, 2 were in Al Hasakeh, 2 were in Latakia, 2 were in Deir Ezzor, 2 were in Hama, and 1 was in Quneitra.
According to our in country sources and HeRAMS reports, only 22 ICU beds are available, including those in both public and private hospitals. 18 of these ICU beds are located in the province of al Hasakah  ( including the city of alQamishli )  and 4 are in al Raqqa, with none available in Deir ez Zor. 2
On April 28, the cabinet announced that it had lifted the travel ban between city centres and their suburbs, while the ban on travel between provinces remained in place. However, as it did last week, the government allowed people to travel again between the provinces on April 30 and May 01 and 02 but only once
Over the reporting period, WHO delivered 5,000 waste bags and 10,000 bags for samples to CPHL. To date, WHO has provided 34 enzyme kits  ( 3,400 reactions ) , 52 extraction kits  ( 3,000 reactions ) , 82 screening kits  ( 7,872 reactions )  and 11 confirmatory testing kits  ( 1,056 reactions ) , 14,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five PCR machines,
The DSA's Health Commission has designated Amuda Public Hospital to deal with suspected cases of COVID 19 and has established several quarantine centres across the region.
COVID 19: Agencies working under the coordination of the Shelter and NFI Sector have been focusing on interventions to reduce overcrowding and supported inter sector responses, such as providing support for health facilities and distributing hygiene kits/soaps in coordination with the WASH Sector.
People in Need  ( PiN ) : According to the 2020 mid year updates, the estimated PiN stand as high as 5.65 million for shelter and 4.33 million for non food items  ( NFI ) .
Health authorities have recorded today four coronavirus cases in north western Syria, a day after three cases were recorded, one of them from the inhabitants of Sarmada camps in Idlib countryside.
According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rose to 58, including two doctors were residing in Turkey.
Several local NGOs in NES have launched public awareness campaigns to encourage self isolation and social distancing.
Following WHO delivery of essential supplies and support for on site training of laboratory technicians from Aleppo, Homs, Lattakia and Damascus, COVID 19 testing is now ongoing at the Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia, the Zahi Azraq Hospital in Aleppo, and commenced at the public health laboratory in Homs on 14 May.
In addition, the GoS further announced that Syrians travelling abroad could obtain PCR tests and health certificates in four specified centres in Damascus
A day earlier, AANES announced a one time financial bonus of SYP 10,000 for security officers for their handling of the curfew imposed on the population.
Local authorities continue to impose a mandatory quarantine on travelers entering into NES from other areas  ( whether via Qamishli airport, through internal transit points or via international border crossings ) , with all required to undergo a period of 14 days mandatory quarantine at a dedicated quarantine facility upon arrival. The only exception to this are those with underlying medical conditions who will be transferred to a hospital to undergo 14 days of quarantine.
Given the recent impact of COVID 19, there is a continuous need to reduce overcrowding and improve hygiene among beneficiaries, especially in camps, informal settlements and collective shelters.
Local authorities in NES continue to express concern over arrivals at the Qamishli airport from Damascus. The airport is under GoS control. Although the airport has officially been closed for commercial flights since the end of March, weekly flights are reportedly continuing on an informal/ad hoc basis.
• The reporting period has been characterised by persisting child protection concerns, aggravated by the COVID 19 pandemic and related mitigation measures
Restrictions remain in place at most other crossing points inside Syria. Abu Zendin, Um Jloud and Awn Dadat in Aleppo remain closed, as does Akeirshi in Ar Raqqa. Abu Assi in Ar Raqqa is reported open for students crossing to sit national exams. Ghazawiyet Afrin and Al Taiha in Aleppo are reported open for commercial traffic; the latter is also reported open for students. Bab Al Hawa in Idleb is partially open with restrictions. Deir Ballut in Aleppo is open
There is a need to plan public education on risk factors associated with non communicable disease  ( NCD )  comorbidities, capacity building of doctors' providing continuing quality of NCD care, prevention and support for all NCD patients once COVID 19 cases surface
On October 14, the MoH records showed a total of 4,826 positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic, up from 4,457 a week earlier, equivalent to an increase of 8.3 percent. Of these, 3,231 are still positive, 1,364 recovered, and 231 died
Child Protection case management including family tracing continues to be provided, with the necessary precautions against COVID  19 in place.
This brings the number of infected people in the past 24 hours to seven.
[ 1st October, Northeast Syria ]  Coordination in Camps: At the camp level, health committees continue to operate across all camps in NES to oversee actions related to COVID 19 prevention and mitigation. The Camp Administration also participate in these bodies
While recovery cases in north western Syria have risen to 46.
The Syrian government has lifted a major portion of the movement restrictions it imposed at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic despite a doubling in the number of positive cases.
Several Syrian civil society activists and international human rights organizations have raised the issue of the tens of thousands of political prisoners in Syria's formal and informal prisons amid the current pandemic. They have warned of an inevitable outbreak of COVID 19 amongst these prisons and detention centres, the majority of which place 50 detainees in a cell measuring 3 metres by 3 metres.
The international community, especially UN agencies and the World HealthOrganization, need to help Syria and all conflict affected countries in responding to the outbreak. To start with, they should not limit their dealings and distribution of testing kits to the governmentcontrolled areas only. Areas outside government control also need to be provided with testing kits, personal protective equipment, and other medical assistance.
New response plans and protective measures need to be drawn up for these countries, where many do not have a home in which to self isolate, and no access to clean running water with which to wash their hands. It is vital that aid plans target the most vulnerable, particularly those who would be left to starve without assistance, and that WASH and medical aid is scaled up significantly.
Findings indicate that low wages also impacted the purchasing power of households, and KIs in >80% of communities indicated waged labour as a primary source of income. Low purchasing power may also have affected the ability of households to repair shelters, purchase sufficient water, and access sanitation services.
Prior to COVID 19, some 80% of people in Syria lived below the poverty line.8 According the World Food Programme, the price of an average food basket in May 2020 was 11% higher than in April, and 133% higher than the same time in 2019.9 With many employed in daily labour or operating small businesses, restrictions on movement and advice to socially distance forces people to choose between meeting daily needs and exposing themselves, their family, and community to the risk of the virus.
The unreliable water supply in northeast Syria increases the risk of COVID 19 transmission, as additional water is needed for COVID19 mitigation measures such as more frequent cleaning and handwashing
Around 100,000 of the internally displaced population are being housed in IDP camps; there are 14 such camps in total, the largest being al Hol camp in the province of al Hasakah near the Iraqi borders. Al Hol was originally designed to host a maximum number of 10,000 people, but the number has increased to over 69,000 during the past year. This has caused extreme levels of overcrowding, with the camp facing catastrophic humanitarian and health conditions long before the current pandemic. The camp has only three field hospitals and 12 static medical points, none of which is equipped with ICU units or ventilators
After the first case of the virus was confirmed in Damascus on 21 March, authorities began imposing movement restrictions. By the end of April, however, lockdowns began to loosen in government held areas, allowing businesses and markets to open if they adhered to public safety measures like distancing and disinfecting surfaces.2 On 11 May,, authorities in North East Syria  ( NES )  announced the reopening of mosques.3 As of 22 June, the Syrian Ministry of Health reported a total of 204 COVID 19 cases.
Consistent electricity access and affordability of NFIs were key challenges in a context of economic deterioration and supply route disruptions caused by conflict escalation. The June round of REACH's Market Monitoring exercise estimated a minumum monthly expenditure of 53,471 SYP for non food needs. The most common barriers to accessing electricity were related to affordability
KIs cited high costs as a healthcare barrier in one third of communities where barriers were reported. Households coped with inaccessibility by going to pharmacies, seeking non professional medical care, and taking lower doses of medication.
WHO continues to engage closely with the MoH with technical teams meeting daily. Severe acute respiratory infection, one of the case definitions of COVID 19, is covered by the early warning alert and response system  ( EWARS )  in Syria. Currently 1,271 sentinel sites report cases through the EWARS system across all 14 governorates. With the support of WHO, MoH is conducting active surveillance utilizing a network of surveillance officers across 13 governorates, who are in regular contact with and actively visit private and public health facilities to monitor admissions
[ 30 November، 2020 ,Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Monday that 90 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 60 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
Finally, findings suggest that sporadic and localised conflict posed protection risks to assessed communities. Where KIs reported protection risks, about 1 in 4 communities were reported to face threats from explosive hazards. This number was approximately equal for residents and IDPs, but the latter group was more likely to report threat from airstrikes
[ 29th September 2020 , Overall Syria ]  Humanitarian staff are also impacted, with restrictions on movement and lengthy quarantine limiting the ability to deploy staff and contractors where needed, including international staff unable to cross borders.
Half of the focal points in NSAG/TBAF and 21% in SDF areas report that their communities are not following any of the precautionary measures. There are very few reports of protocols in these areas of control that require community participation  ( i.e., less than 10% report a partial curfew, community lockdown, requirements for symptomatic people to isolate at home, quarantining diagnosed cases, testing for the virus, or distributing personal protective equipment ) .9
In a culture where handshaking and participation in social events is part of everyday life, its no surprise that only half respondents reported staying home except in emergencies   and just 36% said they adhere to social distancing guidelines. Still, three quarters  ( 77% )  of respondents note that people in their community have adopted hygiene practices such as extensive handwashing, believing it to be the most important prevention measure. Female community focal points emphasise keeping vulnerable individuals in isolation. Other preventative measures referenced include limiting contact with strangers, external goods, and not travelling outside their region. A few respondents noted that people were staying away from congested spaces such as hospitals or withdrawing their children from schools.
Sixty three percent of respondents said their communities trust that measures introduced in their area will reduce the spread of the virus. The 37% who don't are mostly concentrated in the Government controlled governorates of As Sweida, Quneitra and Rural Damascus. Ar Raqqa is an outlier, where some 83% of respondents do not feel that the measures introduced will help. Secondary research indicates that this may pertain specifically to a distrust of measures introduced by authorities, as 95% of KAP survey respondents felt that they could take measures themselves to reduce the chance of being infected by the virus.
As COVID 19 spread globally, concern grew for the 11.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, where over nine years of conflict and displacement have decimated almost half of the country's health facilities.1 Restrictions on the importation of medical supplies, limited access to essential equipment, reduced outside support, and ongoing attacks on medical facilities have left Syria's health infrastructure in peril and unable to meet the needs of its population.
In Syria, trust in the importance of preventative measures does not equal compliance and more than half the respondents report that their communities simply did not want to abide by them, and 48% said that they did not understand them. Similar numbers of people fear losing aid if they stay home, 29% say there is not enough space for social distancing and 25% say there is a lack of access to hygiene items  ( soap, water, face masks, gloves ) .
WHO support for on site training of laboratory technicians and delivery of essential supplies, COVID 19 testing is also ongoing at the Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia, the Zahi Azraq Hospital in Aleppo, and at the public health laboratory in Homs. As of 24 July, the MoH reported that 12,416 cases have been tested, with a current average of 226 tests performed per day. As detailed above, the GoS committed to establish laboratories in all 14 governorates. The increased capacity and decentralization of testing, including in NES, continues to be a priority for WHO to support.
WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February. To date, WHO has provided enzyme kits  ( 31,240 reactions ) , extraction kits  ( 27,250 reactions ) , screening kits  ( 57,792 reactions )  and confirmatory testing kits  ( 1,920 tests ) , 52,000swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 21,000 bags for samples, and PPE for staff. WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline, including four GeneXpert machines.
WHO continues to bolster PPE supplies in Syria, with a focus on protecting health workers. To date, WHO has delivered more than 2.5 million PPE items, including surgical masks, gloves, reusable heavy duty aprons, gowns, headcovers,alcohol hand rubs, medical masks, goggles and coveralls, and alcohol hand rubs. In the reporting period, UNICEF also provided PPE to hospitals in Damascus and Rural Damascus, including 77,500 surgical masks, 4,850 hands sanitizers, 7,200 disposable non woven surgical caps, and 1,550 boxes of 100 glove pairs
WHO, UNICEF, Health and WASH partners are working closely with relevant authorities to enhance IPC measures across public spaces, support health facilities, and to integrate measures across humanitarian programmes. Health and WASH actors continue health facility assessments to gauge IPC capacity, with many implementing IPC measures, including by establishing distance, maintaining cross ventilation, handwashing and disinfection, and upgrading triage areas.
At present, from those displaced in October 2019, approximately 71,042 remain displaced in NES, with 15,458 living in 90 collective shelters. This is in addition to approximately 99,109 IDPs and refugees in NES, most of whom were displaced prior to October, living in four camps and two informal sites. A further estimated 27,625 people live in 58 collective shelters throughout other governorates. As yet, no confirmed cases had been reported from any camp or collective shelter.
UNRWA continues to support increased sanitation activities through 120 sanitation labourers  ( 18 recently recruited )  at the nine official and accessible Palestine refugee camps  ( and one informal camp ) . In cooperation with GAPAR, water provision is currently being enhanced at the camps. UNDP continues to support municipalities in solid waste collection and removal activities, with 342 workers recruited in Al Hasakeh to support solid waste removal and collection, and support to rehabilitation of wells and pumping stations also continues. containers, and cleaning campaigns.
The crisis has also disrupted national routine surveillance with currently EWARS the only timely surveillance system for communicable diseases. Technical and operational support is urgently needed to enhance further laboratory capacity across Syria to collect and ship samples as well as recruit and train surge technicians. In line with global WHO guidance, the UN in Syria emphasizes the urgent need for a rapid increase in testing to properly track and monitor a possible outbreak.
Due to the prolonged crisis in Syria, the public health system is fragile and requires considerable support to reinforce its capacity to support a potential outbreak of COVID 19. Overall, only 57 public hospitals  ( 64 per cent )  are fully functioning in the country. There is also a considerable shortage of trained staff and a high turnover rate, all of which reduce its capacity to manage cases, and of medical equipment essential for case management, including ventilators.
Households largely relied on local and nearby markets as the main source of food. However, lack of transportation represented the main challenge for accessing markets, and unaffordability was the main barrier preventing people from accessing sufficient food.
The ministry said that 121 people had now tested positive, up from 58 a week ago. The number of recoveries increased to 41 from 36 and the number of deaths to four from three last weekAll the people who tested positive in the past week were Syrians repatriated by air, from Kuwait, the UAE, Sudan, and Russia. The person who died also returned from Kuwait
Humanitarian staff are also impacted, with restrictions on movement and lengthy quarantine a contributing factor to limiting the ability to deploy staff and contractors where needed, including international staff who may not be able to cross borders. Evolving and unforeseen preventive measures are also disruptive to humanitarian programming.
On May 26, the government's Covid 19 task force decided to lift the night curfew and the travel ban between governorates. It also allowed public transport to resume normal operations and extended the opening hours for retail shops to 7 pm from 5 pm currently. Most public sector entities are also resuming work with the whole of their workforce.
Within Syria, the financial requirements for the revised COVID 19 operational response plan are currently estimated at $188.6 million; which will be updated as the situation evolves and aligned to the GHRP. Funding, however, remains a major concern with only $55.6 million raised to date. Of immediate and critical priority is $10 million needed to expand testing capacity; $6.5 million needed to support case management/clinical readiness and $3.1 million needed to procure PPE vital to protect frontline workers.
The number of people who tested positive for the Coronavirus increased in the past week to 58 from 47, according to the Ministry of Health.
The ministry said that the number of recoveries increased to 36 from 29, while the number of deaths remained unchanged at three. The ministry also said that 14 of the positive cases were people coming from abroad and were recorded in Damascus and its countryside. The number of people placed in quarantine centres between February 05 and May 14 reached 7,613, including 2,989 who remain there.
In NES, awareness campaigns and trainings of partner staff, including in camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters are ongoing. In the reporting period UNICEF supported 15 focus group discussions, in addition to awareness sessions and hygiene promotion for 200 community leaders in Al Hol. Interactive and edutainment activities were also conducted for 350 children. In addition, UNICEF supported a mine risk education and COVID 19 campaign in Areesha camp, including the training of 65 community volunteers.
The past week also saw the temporary closure of the Tartous Port after a Russian worker initially tested positive. A second PCR test conducted the following day gave a negative result and the port resumed its operations.
Trainings and regional outreach is also ongoing. In Homs, partners have concluded a 10 day campaign on risk communication and community engagement, with 74 health workers trained on COVID 19 related risk communication principles and communication skills over five days. In Deir Ez Zor, IMC in collaboration with SARC, went door to door to 889 households to provide awareness raising, including on symptoms and preventive measures.