nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Child protection partners also continued to incorporate COVID 19 awareness in their responses, including for students at national examination accommodation centers.
In NES, awareness campaigns and trainings of partner staff, including in camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters are ongoing. Over 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.
In August 2020, around 43 percent of surveyed households reported poor and borderline food consumption, with the highest levels recorded among female headed households  ( 54 percent ) . Although the national average rate of inadequate food con  sumption  ( poor and borderline combined )  slightly increased by three percentage points in August compared to July 2020, it is more than double the level recorded in August 2019.
As of 3 August, 36 people with COVID 19 have been identified in NWS, with the first positive result recorded in Bab Al  Hawa on 9 July. Of these, 19 were from Idleb and 17 were from Aleppo. Since 9 July, 20 patients have recovered while 16 cases remain active. To date, 32 cases developed mild symptoms and 4 cases were asymptomatic. Out of total 36 cases, 23  ( 64 per cent )  have recovered, with 3 cases having recovered in the past 24 hours. As of 3 August, a total of 1,551 samples have been tested since reporting of the first case from NWS, with a test positivity rate of 2.3 per cent.
Working closely with WHO and the Syrian MoH, the Group has developed and widely disseminated a multi component package, including a tool kit of key messages covering a wide range of issues related to COVID 19. The Group has also finalized online training materials in Arabic and trained several partners in NES, as well as other parts of the country. As preventive measures have been lifted across Syria, the RCCE is working with partners to continue to engage the public on the ongoing risks of COVID 19 and to promote behavioral initiatives such as hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing and voluntary quarantine/isolation where feasible and appropriate.
In addition, UNHCR report that in the reporting period, 2,421 outreach volunteers reached approximately 40,506 people across 13 governorates on awareness raising, including more than 1,900 physical visits, with appropriate precautions, to the most vulnerable individuals in need of support who can not be reached through other modalities. Trainings and regional outreach is also ongoing.
Within Syria, including NES, all relevant stakeholders have agreed to collect samples through 112 RRTs for referral to the CPHL for testing  ( in line with similar established mechanisms for sample testing ) . To date, 432 rapid response team  ( RRT )  personnel in 13 governorates have received dedicated training, including refresher training, on COVID 19 case investigation, sample collection and referral, with further trainings planned at the governorate level in July.
In NWS  ( as of 3 August ) , the first laboratory confirmed case of COVID 19 from NWS, involving a 39 year old male physician working in Idleb Governorate, was reported on 9 July. To date, a total 36 confirmed cases of COVID 19 have been reported, including 19 from Idleb and 17 from Aleppo governorates. No deaths have been reported. Of these, most cases developed mild symptoms while others have remained asymptomatic. None of the cases required hospitalization and 23 cases of the cases have since recovered.
As of 24 July, the Syrian 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. In NWS  ( as of 3 August ) , a total of 3,543 samples were collected from NWS, including 1,509 from Aleppo and 2,034 from Idleb. Some 1,551 samples have been tested since reporting of the first case from NWS, with a test positivity rate of 2.3 per cent.
UNICEF supported training for 86 NGO health workers and programme volunteers on IPC measures and rational use of PPE in Homs. As detailed in previous reports, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 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 General Administration for Palestine Arab Refugees  ( GAPAR ) , water provision is currently being enhanced at the camps.
As outlined in the previous report, WHO delivered 85 tons of medical supplies by road from Damascus to Qamishli, to be distributed to various health facilities and health authorities for health partners in NES. To date, 52 tons has been distributed to 17 hospitals, including seven in cross line areas, two private hospitals serving as referrals for Al Hol, six supported by NGOs operating in NES, and two hospitals in areas of government control. Of the 571 emergency health kits delivered to date, over 70 per cent was delivered to health facilities in cross line areas.
WHO has finalized standard operating procedure  ( SoPs )  on the roles of psychosocial workers  ( PSWs )  in 30 COVID 19 treatment centres across the NWS. A total of 96 primary health care doctors and nurses have completed the package of essential non communicable disease Interventions  ( PEN )  training, and 48 psychosocial workers have completed mental health and psychosocial support training, and 48 pharmacists have completed non communicable diseases pharmacy management training.
For continuity of care during COVID 19, an online training for psychologists in NWS was conducted in early July by experts regarding topics on intellectual disability and post traumatic stress disorder  ( PTSD )
In NWS, WHO has delivered a total of 300 infection prevention and control kits  ( including disinfectants, chlorine solution, liquid soap, etc. )  to cover a three month supply for 120 health facilities in NWS, as well as 40,000 surgical masks, 79,000 pairs of examination gloves, 1,000 face shields and 400 protective goggles.
Most people  ( 60% )  do not feel that they have sufficient information to protect themselves from the virus.
The relative calm observed in the Idleb area since early March was likely the driver behind these movements as many IDPs who have been displaced once again from southern Idleb and western Aleppo governorates during the hostilities between December 2019 and February 2020 continued to return to their previous communities of displacement in these governorates.
In June 2020, the humanitarian community tracked about 59,000 IDP movements across Syria, which marks a six percent increase from the previous month. The vast majority of the IDP movements were concentrated in northwest Syria with 91% occurring within and between Aleppo and Idlib governorates similar to patterns observed in April and May 2020.
This distribution means that more than 20 thousand IDP movements  ( 34% out of total movements )  arrived in the same area that comprises these three adjacent sub districts. Moreover, more than 5 thousand IDP movements arrived in Idleb  ( 3 thousand )  and Ariha  ( 2 thousand )  sub districts in Idleb governorate.
Across all AoCs, the main sources of information on COVID 19 remained the same from May through July. Focal points report that their communities often receive their information from news media  ( 27% ) , social media  ( 24% ) , and local governments  ( 19% ) . Health providers  ( 51% )  are consistently listed as the most trusted source of information.
If shipments from Bab al Salam are to be diverted through Bab al Hawa, it will not be possible to scale up the COVID 19 response. As the cost of food has increased over 200 percent in the last year, and the country is faced with a global pandemic, it is unthinkable that any access routes could be cut.
The difference in social media usage is driven by AoC.7 Due to state ownership, it is difficult for actors to use telecommunication networks to share clear, independent and verified information.
While cumulative RCCE efforts to date have reached over 12.5 million people, survey information, in addition to anecdotal evidence, suggests risk perception across Syria is very low and there has been considerable lack of adherence to individual preventive measures observed in some communities.
In NES  ( as of 26 June ) , at least 293 samples have been collected in response to alerts received through one of the three surveillance systems operational to track reports of suspected cases, conduct case investigation and ultimately contain the virus's spread. Of these, six samples have confirmed as positive. One case was via MoH testing capacity in Damascus
Overall, adherence to precautionary measures in July is similar to that in June. Practising good hygiene, such as handwashing, is the most widely adopted measure  ( 75% ) . 21% report wearing masks, down from 31% in May.
To date, WHO has supported screening efforts by providing PPE, infrared thermometers, guidance notes, registration forms and one thermal scanner camera.
In addition to date, WHO has provided 69 enzyme kits, 177 extraction kits  ( 26,250 reactions ) , 172 screening kits and 15 confirmatory testing kits, 18,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 10,000 bags for samples, and PPE for laboratory staff.
During the reporting period, WHO provided the Ministry of Education  ( MoE )  with 250,000 masks and 200,000 hand sanitizers for use during the national exams, including in Al Hasakeh, and for health workers to use during the national immunization campaign.
In NES  ( as of 26 June ) , a NES IPC guidance document has been developed with the aim of summarizing current best practices and learning on the preventive mechanisms against the spread of the disease and contextualize these practices to the NES social and operational environment.
WHO has established the Supply Chain Coordination Cell to improve information management and coordination to support strategic guidance, operational decision making, and overall Supply Chain monitoring. WHO has also established three buyers' consortia – a PPE Consortium, a Diagnostics Consortium, and a Clinical Care Consortium – to ensure that some critical supplies are reserved to meet the requests of countries most in need.
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.
In NWS, the COVID 19 Task Force distributed PPE and ventilators from the stock received in May 2020 to health facilities as following: 25 Ventilators distributed to three ICU hospitals for COVID 19 Case Management, 595,000 pairs of examination gloves, 150,100 surgical masks covering the need of 41 triage points for three months, 1600 CHW needs for one month, and 700 PoE worker needs for 12 days, 12,000 examination gloves, 60 N95 masks, 3,500 surgical masks, and 2,280 protective gowns has been delivered to a CCTC in Idleb City
However, since remote and/or rural areas are also being impacted, the agriculture sector is heavily affected. In the past six months the number of food food insecure people has risen dramatically. The most food insecure areas include Lattakia, Ar Raqqa and Aleppo.
Disruption to the 2019/20 cropping season has been relatively limited, helped by good rainfall, and an easing of more general security concerns – and the timing of the introduction of COVID 19 control measures, which was mid season during the growing phase of the cereals.
Despite lacking capacity and resources, the health system in the northwest Syria is using innovative approaches for the containment of COVID 19.
Shortage of labour for the summer harvest. Although COVID 19 has had a relatively limited impact on the ongoing agricultural season, labour shortages could continue throughout the harvest, which typically ends in July.
One impact of the COVID 19 pandemic in Syria has been a disruption in commercial supply chains, which are also liable to be affected to varying degrees by the 4 August explosion in the Port of Beirut,
Humanitarian operations are reaching 7.2 million people every month, with food assistance reaching 5.4 million per month. “This assistance is all the more critical as food insecurity continues to rise in Syria.
In April 2020, REACH began a series of monthly knowledge, attitudes, and practices  ( KAP )  surveys with the goal of informing the communications response to the threat of COVID 19 in northwest Syria.
“Years of war, mismanagement, oppression, now exacerbated by the economic crisis in neighbouring Lebanon, have aggravated the economic crisis in Syria,' he said, warning that the number of people becoming food insecure could soon exceed 11 million.
adding that those States which lobbied against cross border access must now engage actively to ensure that deliveries are consistent, safe and unimpeded. Help should go to those people and health care facilities that require it, not just to those whom the regime deems worthy.
Advocating a needs based, whole of society approach to assistance, he said the challenges arising from the use of a single border crossing highlight the need for dialogue to maintain access into the north west. Citing rising food insecurity, he also called for better safety nets and the rebuilding of shattered hospitals and schools as a “moral imperative'.
The representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said the cross border aid mechanism must be strengthened and optimized so it can provide timely, safe and unimpeded access, in line with humanitarian principles. The scaling up of the cross line modality must also be prioritized. Millions are now food insecure, with millions more on the brink, and COVID 19 cases are on the rise. She called for the lifting of all unilateral coercive measures, echoing the call for a nationwide ceasefire.
he called on all parties to ensure that services are fully restored and that a solution is found. All parties must respect their international humanitarian and human rights law obligations to protect schools, health centres and water facilities.
As part of ensuring appropriate IPC measures during national examinations, WASH sector partners supported light rehabilitation of WASH facilities at accommodation and examination centres and the provision of WASH items to all accommodation and exam centres; in addition to PPE, hand sanitizers, dignity kits and relevant awareness raising.
Political will is needed more than ever, he insisted, stressing that a political solution must be the “number one' priority for all stakeholders. “Humanitarian assistance should not replace our shared responsibility to this end,' he added, as he called for releasing detainees, abductees and missing persons and providing information to their families.
The representative of the Dominican Republic said Syria's limited testing capacity and collapsed health care system could be telling a very different story than what the COVID 19 case numbers reveal.
Estonia's delegate demanded the release of all arbitrarily detained people, especially women and children, noting that COVID 19 has directly affected the political process, as Constitutional Committee talks were postponed after three cases were diagnosed in Geneva earlier this week.
Working closely with MoH technical teams, health and WASH partners, WHO continues to meet on a daily basis to monitor, plan and assess incident management system functions. To support the Syrian MoH's plans to establish quarantine and isolation for treatment centres in all governorates, WHO completed inter sectoral mapping in coordination with departments of health.
In the reporting period, WHO supported specialist training for 175 healthcare workers from five governorates, targeting doctors, nurses and anesthesia technicians working in intensive care unit  ( ICU )  and emergency departments.
With support from the SCHF, in the pipeline 15 continuous positive airway pressure  ( CPAP )  therapy machines to help in respiration and 75 ventilators are to be delivered, as well as 69 oxygen concentrators and PPE from WHO valued at US$2.7 million
He expressed great concern that the health care system and health workers continue to be attacked, and that COVID 19 has not only limited humanitarian access, but hindered efforts to resolve Syria's crisis through dialogue.
Multi sectoral support includes temperature checks at crossing points, infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  measures such as sterilization of accommodation and examination centres and the provision of personal protection equipment  ( PPE )  to teachers, invigilators and observers, as well as the provision of meals, NFIs and dignity kits.
Discussing the COVID 19 pandemic, he said that efforts within Syria to combat a possible outbreak are insufficient. So far, at least 60 doctors in Syria have died due to the virus, he said, adding that the severity of the situation in regime controlled areas will never be known due to the lack of reliable information. North west Syria is best prepared to mitigate the effects of an outbreak due to medical assistance from Turkey.
he said people in Al‑Hasakeh Governorate and Al Hol camp are facing a water crisis and it is crucial to find a long term solution. The United Nations must continue to advocate for a sustainable agreement on the facilitation of water access as a basic service.
UNICEF has expanded awareness volunteer campaigns to reach university campuses as they have reopened, and during national exams, supported awareness campaigns at 5,000 exam and accommodation centres hosting students.
The spread of COVID 19 in Syria is likely more severe than official data suggests, a senior United Nations officialtoldthe Security Council during a videoconference meeting* on 27 August, adding that food insecurity remains a nationwide concern and that humanitarian convoys are suffering delays after the 15 member organ in July reduced the number of authorized border crossings to one.
To date, 432 RRT personnel in 13 governorates have received dedicated training on COVID 19 case investigation, sample collection and referral, with further trainings scheduled.
The scale of movements through informal crossing points remains a particular concern, with HNAP estimating that 4,000  5,000 people crossed into NES via the Buqros Shiheil informal crossing points in the last week alone.
Increased shelling has been reported in Idlib, Latakia, Hama and Aleppo Governorates, while the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights  ( OHCHR )  recorded at least 10 civilian deaths   including 3 children   in ground and air strikes in the so called “de escalation area' in June and July.
In the north east, for more than 20 days, more than 1 million Syrian civilians in Hasakah and surrounding areas have faced water deprivation as the Turkish regime uses water as a weapon of war. With the blessing of the United States Administration, the Turkish occupation forces and its proxies have cut off the pumping of water from the Aluk station more than 16 times, leaving the people of Hasakah to suffer from thirst in the midst of the pandemic.
191
892
93
765
On site training for 24 CPHL laboratory technicians was also completed.
127
916
Following WHO support for on site training of laboratory technicians from Aleppo, Homs, Lattakia and Damascus and delivery of essential supplies is now ongoing at the Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia, the Zahi Azraq Hospital in Aleppo and at the public health laboratory in Homs.
195
267
As of 24 June, 12,416 COVID 19 tests have been performed in laboratories in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates. In addition, 3,543 COVID 19 tests have been performed in Idleb National lab for samples from Idleb and northwest Aleppo countryside as 3 August 2020.
1,062,690 Total payment ( in $ )  for refugees beneﬁtting from Multi Purpose Cash Grant ( MPCG )  in response to COVID  19
12
271
As part of its COVID 19 support, the Syria Humanitarian Fund has commenced disbursement of US$23 million for 32 approved project across the Health  ( $12.5 million )  WASH  ( $4.3 million ) , Protection  ( $2.3 million ) , Food  ( $0.04 million )  and Logistics sectors  ( $0.2 million ) , including $2.85 million ) , while the Syria Cross Border Humanitarian Fund  ( SCHF )  will allocate an additional US$6 million to procure essential PPE to support the continuation of non health and health frontline activities.
WHO continues to engage closely with the Syrian MoH with technical teams meeting daily. Severe acute respiratory infection  ( SARI ) , 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.
WHO continues to support two COVID 19 designated hospitals to include Alza'a Hospital in Idelb city with a capacity of 10 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds and 15 hospital beds and Dana hospital with 20 ICU beds and 20 hospital beds.
Restrictions on movement and limitations on commercial activities in some areas of NWS and NES, including on markets which had been introduced as a public safety measure to counter the spread of COVID 19, have contributed to the intensification of humanitarian needs, as well as the overall impact of the pandemic on the local economy
As of 30 June, most land borders into Syria remain closed, with some limited exemptions  ( from Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon ) , including commercial and relief shipments, and movement of humanitarian and international organization personnel. Borders with Lebanon and Jordan remain closed to civilians while a limited number of humanitarian workers have been able to enter Lebanon from Syria. The crossing points with Lebanon have remained open for humanitarian and commercial cargos.
208
173
95
115
137
997
195
931
56
670
94
789
50
573
7,066 # of alcohol hand rub gel sanitizers distributed in Community Centers ,distribution points,emergency team, health facilities and to ORVs
As of May, the capacity building plan for 2020 developed by UNHCR in cooperation with its parnter, was put on hold until UNHCR receives more information about the current situation in terms of lockdown, gatherings, and about the COVID 19 situation as a whole.
A United Nations inter agency mission on 28 July found that fewer than 300 families had returned to those areas and that civilian infrastructure had incurred severe damage. Meanwhile, there remains no humanitarian access to the Rukban camp in south east Syria, near the border with Jordan, which houses 12,000 people.
Between 13 and 22 July, several new restrictions were announced by ministries to limit the spread of COVID 19, including inter alia a reduction on daily court sessions, the closure of in door weddings and condolence gatherings, and the announced suspension of Eid Al Adha prayers and all religious teaching seminars in Damascus and Rural Damascus governorates.
Access through both Bab al Hawa and Bab al Salam in the northwest must be re authorised    and life saving cross border aid into the northeast from Iraq must be also be permitted once again.
Resettlement interviews remain suspended due to COVID 19 related restrictions.
29,232 individuals were provided a total of 21,003.10 cubic metres of safe drinking water in northwest Syria. 119 water tanks were distributed in the same camps in order to reduce lines for water collection and increase hand washing practices.
UNRWA have also continued a triage system in their 25 health centres
Currently the within Syria Operational Response Plan is only one third funded with a gap of US $133.2 million. At least $10 million is urgently required to expand national and sub national laboratory capacity to reach a target of 2,000 tests per day, in addition to $6.5 million needed to support case management and $1.1 million needed to procure personal protective equipment vital to keep frontline workers safe from illness.
COVID 19 mitigation efforts restricted movements throughout the previous months, now many are seeking to reunite with family and friends.
3,466 activities in total were conducted on the prevention of COVID 19 spread.
In June, approximately 2,985 students crossed into government controlled areas to sit their high school certiﬁcate and were accommodated in 25 centres located in six governorates.
Additionally, as of September 11, health actors had confirmed 170 COVID 19 cases and three related deaths in opposition held areas of Aleppo and Idlib governorates, following the northwest region's first reported case on July 9, according to the Early Warning, Alert, and Response Network  a disease surveillance system comprising local health authorities, the UN World Health Organization  ( WHO ) , and other health stakeholders.
Acting Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that reports of health care facilities filling up, as well as rising numbers of death notices and burials, “all seem to indicate that actual cases  [ of the coronavirus ]  far exceed official figures'. Out of the 2,440 cases so far confirmed by the Ministry of Health, most cannot be traced to a known source, indicating that community transmission is widespread.
In NES, five RRTs are active in Al Hasakeh, five in Ar  Raqqa and four in Deir Ez Zor, while Menbij/Kobane is covered from Aleppo.
These messages were distributed to the awareness raising teams to be shared with community members, and were posted on Telegram groups.
The MoH continues active case finding applying random sampling methods, including in Jdeidet al Fadl, where to date a cluster of 11 reported cases have emerged.
Health actors operating in NES continue to advocate for the enforcement of such measures by local authorities, particularly following the total relaxation of the lockdown at the beginning of June.
Seven WHO partners reported that 745 awareness workers had reached 90,246 beneficiaries with different awareness  raising activities across Afrin, Ariha, Azaz, Harim, Idleb, Jebel Saman, and Jisr Ash Shugur.
In June at the time of writing, 2,581 samples had been collected from 12 governorates, including one case from Al Hasakeh and four from Deir Ez Zor.
WHO completed a two day psychological first aid  ( PFA )  on COVID 19 and self care training for 496 community leaders  ( including imams, local councils, women and youth leaders )  in five areas of NWS  ( Idleb City, Bab al Hawa, Afrin, Bab al Salam, and Al Bab ) .
The COVID 19 MHPSS and non communicable disease  ( NCD )  IEC Materials Ad Hoc Team was created to adopt all the WHO, CDC MHPSS materials to context for creation of graphic designs and distribution thru social media.
Therefore, UN cross border shipments continue and have in fact increased since March while commercial trucks  ( used by most NGOs )  were partially impacted.
In NSAG/TBAF areas, social media remains the main source of information; 29% of focal points said this in May, versus 48% in July.
A two day long virtual training on Rapid Response and Contact Tracing for COVID 19, hosted by EMRO, commenced on 16 June. The training targeted 52 health partner staff.
At all PoEs, the MoH has stationed at least one ambulance with medical personnel.
• Across all AoCs, focal points believe communities cannot meet their needs due to higher prices  ( 98% ) , fear of losing employment  ( 54% ) , and lack of product availability  ( 29% ) .
• Communities in high density sub districts are less likely to self isolate  ( 17% )  than those in low density sub districts  ( 43% ) . Job loss is the main reason preventing communities in high density sub districts from implementing precautionary measures  ( 60% ) . In low density sub districts, the main reason is because they “don't want to'
In NES  ( as of 26 June ) , there continues to be a high level of movement through PoEs to NES  ( comprising one airport, nine land border crossings and six crossing points between local authorities and GoS or Turkish areas of control.
Qamishli airport  ( in GoS areas )  remains open to commercial flights from Damascus, with screening and tests  ( thought to be Rapid Diagnostic Tests )  administered upon arrival.
Information efforts should be inclusive and actively seek to involve host communities; as communities hosting large numbers of internally displaced people  ( IDPs )  are significantly less likely to feel they have enough information to protect themselves from coronavirus.
Temperature screening reportedly has only been established at this crossing point in recent days, with no medical, isolation or quarantine facilities in place.
A wide variety of actors use social media platforms to share information on COVID 19. While such platforms allow healthcare professionals, authorities, and humanitarians to reach large swathes of the Syrian population with useful guidance, they also transmit misinformation and rumours. Social media is a major source of information, but only 10% of focal points think that their communities trust it.
Some 13,000 people entered NES via the Tabqa crossing point according to local authorities during the Eid period.
It is important that organisations using social media to disseminate COVID 19 information note that their information comes from experts  ( e.g. healthcare professionals ) . Social media reliance is unsurprisingly greater in high density sub districts  ( frequently corresponding to urban areas ) , where network coverage is better, than in low density  ( mostly rural )  ones.
Of the 16 land border crossings into NES  ( 3 into Turkish controlled areas ) , 1 crossing is/was considered ‘open'  ( as of 24 June )  with eight crossings currently ‘partially open'.
There are also a number of informal crossing points, particularly in Deir ez Zor, which are being used on a regular basis and lack established screening capacity/medical personnel.
The Group has also finalized online training materials in Arabic and trained several partners in NES.
WHO trained a total of 334 referral system and PoEs staff, including nurses, paramedics, drivers and cleaning and decontamination workers during May and June for one day on special IPC training focused on COVID 19 related topics and WHO recommendations regarding the pre transportation of suspected cases of COVID 19.
WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February.
WFP and UNICEF joined efforts to reach 30,000 vulnerable children  enrolled in the Curriculum B programme  and their families in Aleppo with electronic vouchers to purchase essential food and non food items on monthly basis and help them cope with COVID 19 restrictions.
The e vouchers give families flexibility in choosing the items they need while maintaining their dignity and freedom of choice. They also help support the local economy by creating demand for basic commodities.
During the reporting period, WHO delivered 11,000 sample bags, and 25 enzyme kits  ( 2,500 reactions ) .
Over the reporting period, 26 community and NGO volunteers working at the Al Hol IDP camp were trained on community awareness.
The increased capacity and decentralization of testing, including in NES, continues to be a priority for the WHO to support implementation.
Health and WASH actors continue health facility assessments to gauge IPC capacity, with many implementing IPC measures, including adhering to social distancing, maintaining cross  ventilation, handwashing and disinfection, and upgrading triage areas.
Shipments of PPE and sterilization items have also been dispatched to the Qamishli National Hospital, the DoH in Al  Hasakeh, and in Deir Ez Zor.
The relative calm observed in the Idleb area since early March was likely the driver behind these movements as people who have been displaced from southern Idleb and western Aleppo governorates during the hostilities between December 2019 and February 2020 returned to their communities of origin, albeit at a lower rate compared to the previous month.
In other areas, UNICEF's support to utilizing entertainment for children continued, as did outreach in Homs and Hama governorates. Activities included, small group awareness sessions inside health centres, markets, and with doctors and religious leaders.
Over the past week guidance and outreach material around the safe/proper use of face masks has been disseminated.
In June 2020, the humanitarian community recorded about 43,000 spontaneous IDP return movements in different locations across Syria, with almost fifty percent decrease compared to the previous month. During this month, most of the IDP return movements were concentrated in Aleppo and Idleb governorates in northwest Syria. More than 78 thousand of these return movements, amounting to 81%, occurred within and between Aleppo and Idlib governorates.
At the community level, Abzemo town in western Aleppo governorate and Ariha town in southern Idleb governorate received about 4 and 3 thousand spontaneous IDP return movements respectively while Aleppo city and Ehsem city in Idleb governorate received around 2 thousand spontaneous IDP return movements in June. Spontaneous IDP return movements in areas other than northwest Syria remained very low.
UNICEF continues to support light rehabilitation of WASH systems in hospitals across the country, with works completed in 12 facilities  ( including Al Hol ) , and ongoing in three others ) .
UNICEF has further provided additional support by rehabilitating WASH facilities at the Al Dweir quarantine centre and has also provided disinfectant materials.
As part of ensuring appropriate IPC measures during national examinations, WASH sector partners supported the light rehabilitation of WASH facilities at the accommodation and examination centres; provision of liquid chlorine for disinfection, water storage tanks and sanitation kits; disinfection of centres; and emergency water trucking.
WASH partners further supported health awareness teams to conduct orientation sessions at the accommodation centres and provided relevant IEC materials.
WHO has provided sanitizers, PPE, and 92 infrared thermometers.
In addition to light rehabilitation completed at an isolation centre in Dar'a, one partner continues to support light rehabilitation at the designated isolation center in Deir Ez Zor.
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, UNICEF provided soap through WFP food distributions to 1,150 families in Homs and Hama, and hygiene kits for 1,177 returnees in Idleb.
Overcrowding may cause difficulties to social distancing and increase the risk of potential COVID 19 transmission between individuals sharing a shelter.
In addition to date, UNFPA has distributed dignity kits to 12,650 people through partners.
During the reporting period, UNFPA provided e vouchers to 805 households in Dar'a to purchase essential hygiene items.
WHO has strengthened the measures within seven PoEs through its implementing partners, by increasing the number of human resources and deploying vehicles for emergency and non emergency referrals and providing equipment and supplies, including PPE.
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.
there remain concerns around coverage in Tal Tamer due to access challenges in Raqqa, COVID 19 kit distributions have been concluded in just 5 of 38 collective centres,
WHO, acting on the eight pillars of the global WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, continues engaging the Syrian MoH and health partners to enhance technical capacity and awareness, including on rational use of PPE, 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.
Advocacy efforts continue to focus on humanitarian access, including NGO partners' ability to move and operate in NES, as well as facilitating access to critical COVID 19 related supplies through local and global procurements and stocks.
Not everyone was reportedly aware of COVID 19 in 80% of settlements. KIs reported that in the majority of assessed settlements in Deir ez Zor  ( 72% ) , only around 25% of IDPs considered COVID 19 important.
As sustained humanitarian access is yet to be ensured to Rukban, acute concerns regarding the deteriorating living conditions as well as the lack of medical services, especially in times of pandemic, are growing. There are still no qualified medical personnel inside the camp.
UN agencies, specific sectors and partners continue awareness raising activities during existing programmes  ( such as distributions )  and/or as separate initiatives, including through social media campaigns.
In addition, UNICEF also supported training of 25 journalists to build awareness on special procedures taken in light of COVID 19 during national immunization campaigns.
Community outreach/awareness materials have been circulated widely across all sectors and consolidated through a dedicated Syria COVID 19 Resources Dropbox folder  ( accessible to all partners, and also including the latest situation updates and sector specific guidance ) .
The second round of the KAP survey, conducted between 18 22 May, revealed that although there had been increased awareness of COVID 19, misinformation about the virus continues to persist.
The UN and other relief actors report that a continued lack of adequate COVID 19 testing and response capacity, as well as a widespread easing of COVID 19 preventative measures, could exacerbate transmission countrywide.
In NWS  ( as of 26 June ) , recommendations regarding the use of non medical  ( fabric/cloth )  facemasks and messages regarding the necessity of the continued application of COVID 19 preventive measures were finalized and disseminated based on recent WHO guidance.
Severe acute respiratory infection  ( SARI ) , 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 EWARS system across all 14 governorates.
UNDP support to rehabilitation of wells and pumping stations in Al Hasakeh also continues.
Priorities under the IPC pillar include ensuring adherence to minimum IPC standards in health facilities and crowded public spaces  ( such as camps and collective centres ) .
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.
USAID/BHA partners have also adapted programming to incorporate social distancing and are disseminating public health and prevention messaging as part of COVID 19 mitigation efforts. State/PRM partner the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees  ( UNHCR )  provides medical consultations and facilitates community based health programming at 11 community center clinics and 14 UNHCR run primary health care facilities in Syria.
At the entrance to camps, humanitarian actors have supported the Camp Administration to establish temperature screening points and installed mandatory hand washing stations, with partners providing equipment including thermometric scanners as well as basic training on medical screening to the guards.
Visitors to camps have been banned, along with community gatherings and focus group discussions comprising more than seven individuals.
Across camps partners are installing additional sanitation facilities, scaling up water provision and distributing COVID 19 kits  ( containing additional soap, towels, buckets, bleach, gloves and a basin  to facilitate HH level handwashing ) .
Limited gaps remain, particularly in relation to COVID 19 kit coverage and hand washing infrastructure, specifically in the camps in Hassakeh Governorate.
A NES NGO has completed core COVID 19 kit distributions in all collective centres in Hassakeh  however there is currently a gap in ‘top up/ replenishment' kits in 19 collective centres.
In Raqqa Governorate, there are an estimated 2,800 households across 19 informal settlements not receiving any additional assistance related to COVID 19.
In Aleppo Governorate, of the 31 informal settlements mapped, no response is reported in 12 of these while a lack of additional water provision and handwashing facilities at the household level are reported as a gap in all 31 settlements.
Since the conflict began, Islamic Relief has provided humanitarian aid to nearly 3 million Syrians. Islamic Relief was a lifeline for these families, providing food to those forced from their homes, and more than 200,000 people received nutritious food through our Ramadan and qurbani distributions.
In recent weeks there have been concerns over water shortages in camps, resulting in residents resorting to unsafe/untreated water sources.
As well as increasing the risk of communicable diseases, including acute diarrhea, the lack of water and in some cases subsequent recourse to untreated water also compromises hygiene practices  including increase handwashing, designed to mitigate the risk of COVID 19.
Particular challenges were reported in Phases 4 and 6 at the Al Hol IDP camp which had registered only 30 per cent of the normal water quantity deliveries on some days.
To address gaps in water delivery at Al Hol, increased efforts are being undertaken to monitor water quantity, with all potable water trucked to the camp passing through the camp chlorination point, with each tanker receiving a voucher to validate that the water has been tested and meets quality standards.
In terms of water quantity, during the second half of June, a significant increase in the quantity of water being delivered to the camp was recorded.
there has been a gradual reduction in the number of diarrhoea cases recorded in the camp
a WHO partner continues to conduct field visits to COVID 19 hospitals and provide technical support, on the job coaching and monitoring and evaluation of the IPC setup.
Health actors remain particularly concerned by the spread of COVID 19 in northern Syria due to the weak health care system and large internally displaced person  ( IDP )  population residing in congested camps with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene  ( WASH )  conditions and limited access to health care services. The continued increase in cases, particularly those with unknown or untraceable exposure, represents potential widespread community transmission across the country, the UN reports.
As of 26 June, 89 swab samples  ( all in Al Hassakeh ) , an increase of 12 over the last two weeks, were taken by local authorities and transferred to Qamishli for testing. Of these 87 samples were confirmed as negative, with two samples coming back positive  ( on 29 April ) .
Integrated GBV/RH services, individual counseling sessions, and awareness raising on COVID 19 continue to be provided by mobile teams.
Given the extent to which even the most advanced health systems globally have been quickly overwhelmed by COVID 19 cases, the priority remains on providing support to and reinforcing isolation facilities.
In May alone, over 1.7 million people received health and medical treatment and supplies via UN cross border assistance    1 million of them through the Bab al Salam border crossing
UNRWA registration services  ( births, deaths, marriages )  were reinstated following the government's decision to resume the delivery of civil services.
WHO continues to deliver case management trainings  ( resuscitation and ventilation management ) ? In the reporting period, 50 health workers were trained in Rural Damascus and Quneitra, at Al Nabak and Mamdouh Abaza national hospitals.
A total of 1,340 telemedicine calls were processed across UNRWA health facilities, to enable Palestine refugees to seek support remotely and reduce overcrowding at UNRWA health facilities.
UNRWA continued the door to door distribution of medicines targeting 167 vulnerable older persons with pre existing medical conditions.
Partial curfews were still in place in 43 sub districts and public spaces were still closed in 43 sub districts  ( out of 45 ) .
An additional one oﬀ payment of USD 10 per person was paid exceptionally during the second round of cash assistance in 2020 to mitigate the socio economic impact of the COVID 19 crisis.
The number of conﬁrmed COVID 19 cases has continued to climb within Syria throughout June and into July. Between 22 March, when the ﬁrst case was reported, and 20 July, the Government of Syria announced 522 cases, including 154 recoveries and 29 deaths. More than a third of all recorded cases have occurred in the past two weeks.
Awareness campaigns were in place in 24 sub districts, while temperature checks and distribution of soap/disinfectant/masks were available in 10 sub districts.
On 20 April, NGOs opened a first phase  ( 60 beds )  of a 120 bed hospital in a repurposed factory building outside Al  Hasakeh;
The limited recent permissions and deliveries by Damascus based agencies have not had sufficient reach to fill the gap left by the removal of the Yarubiyah crossing and there is yet to be a successful crossline delivery into northwest Syria.
Across NES there are up to 18 specially equipped ambulances available to support COVID 19 related referrals. Of these, seven are in Al Hasakeh, three in Ar Raqqa, four in Deir Ez Zor  ( but require additional preparation )  and four are in Aleppo.
In NWS  ( as of 26 June ) , the WHO and TF group continue monitoring case management of prospective COVID 19 cases at three designated hospitals including: Al Ziraa hospital in Idleb, Dana, and Kafr Tkharim hospital in NWS.
103 schools and five training centres for Technical and Vocational Education and Training  ( TVET )  operated by UNRWA remain closed until 31 May.
TVET programme Staﬀ are updating curriculum to help students compensate for time lost with a focus on second year students who should graduate by the end of July.
Despite on going reports of COVID 19 cases, most subdistricts across all areas of control  ( AoC )  report insufficient COVID 19 related medical services. SDF areas display the lowest overall sufficiency, with only two percent of sub  districts having sufficient space in local health facilities to monitor, isolate and quarantine suspected cases.
Interestingly, however, in SDF controlled areas the public reportedly has the best knowledge of the COVID 19 related risks  ( 54 per cent ) , with NSAG & TBAF having the lowest  ( 34 per cent ) . In terms of COVID 19 mitigation measures, compulsory mask wearing remains low across most sub districts.
As of 7 July 2020, northwest Syria has still reported no confirmed cases of COVID 19.1 With no outbreak on the horizon and an ongoing humanitarian crisis only exacerbated by restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the impending epidemic, COVID 19 preventive measures were relaxed in the region.
The COVID 19 Crisis Coordination Committee is working with partners, particularly the Logistics Cluster, to minimize potential disruption to service delivery and essential humanitarian assistance, including through the Procurement Working Group  ( PWG )  in Damascus which is consolidating UN agency PPE requests in order to harmonize sourcing.
A community lockdown was still in place in one sub district and public spaces were still closed in fifteen sub districts.
COVID 19 supply needs from all hubs have been shared with WHO EMRO for compilation and submission to the Global COVID 19 Supply Chain Task Force for consideration, a multi stakeholder body to coordinate demand, procurement and allocation of supplies for low  and middle income countries