nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ January 10, Aleppo ] In some neighborhoods, building materials merchants control the prices, not the regime's government. For instance, the price of a cement bag in the al Jazmaty neighborhood rose to 26 thousand SYP  ( 9 USD ) , while the price of a concrete brick increased to 750 SYP  ( 0.26 USD ) .
[ January 10, Aleppo ] Construction workers earn daily wages amounting to 10,000 SYP  ( 3 USD ) , but a building expert is often paid twice that value.
[ January 10, Aleppo ] Sales of building materials in Aleppo have stopped owing to the rising cement prices in the black market, hampering thus most of the construction work in the city districts. Owners of building materials stores have stopped selling goods, fearing another price increase that would cause them additional losses.
[ January 10, Aleppo ]  On 19 December, the Syrian regime's Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection issued adecision, raising the cement price to 125.5 thousand Syrian pounds SYP  ( about 43 US dollars )  for every ton of portland cement 32.5N. Under the same decision, the prices of 42.5N portland cement rose to 151.6 thousand SYP  ( 52 USD ) , pozzolanic cement to 114.3 thousand SYP  ( 39 USD ) , oil well cement to 167.7 thousand SYP  ( 58 USD ) , and sulfate resisting cement to 161.5 thousand SYP  ( 55 USD ) , while the price of a ton of iron amounted to 2.25 million SYP  ( 700 USD ) .
[ January 10, Aleppo ] Hassan, a former construction worker, is looking for a new job. “The rehabilitation of residential buildings was my primary work for three years, but this profession is going down day after day thanks to high prices of cement, bricks, and iron,' he toldEnab Baladi. Hassan is familiar with all construction and restoration works, from building collapsed rooms, to the restoration of balconies, to the complete reconstruction of houses. However, after the price hike, Hassan lost his job as homeowners could no longer afford the restoration.
[ January 10, Aleppo ]  Abu Nidal, an owner of a workshop for building works, considers the price increase of construction materials as the main obstacle to the return of displaced people. The hikes will cause future construction and restoration to decline too. “There will be no drop in the prices of construction materials; the higher the prices are, the more expensive rehabilitation will be. People who want to restore their homes cannot afford to demolish and rebuild them again,' he said.
[ April 2021, NES ] Intersectoral findings on unaffordability hindering access to goods and services: KIs in 83% of communities cited the high cost of food as a common challenge.
[ Jan   Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  The poor nutrition situation is largely attributed to continued exposure of children and mothers to unsafe living conditions, diseases  ( including impacts of COVID 19 ) , suboptimal infant and young child feeding  ( IYCF )  practices, high maternal malnutrition, economic downturn, low purchasing power, poverty, food insecurity, family separations and poor care practices, early marriages, and destruction of infrastructure causing limited access to health services, and inadequate water and sanitation supply, and sub optimal hygiene.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  On livestock, the limited availability of pasture and high costs of animal feed present a major challenge to all livestock owners.
[ May 2021, GoS, NWS & NES ]  Broken down by regions, the retail price of vegetable oil, the coastal region recorded the highest price at SYP 8,139/litre  ( unchanged m o m ) , followed by northwest Syria at SYP 7,575/litre  ( down eight percent m o m ) . The cross border region recorded the lowest price of vegetable oil at SYP 5,408/litre  ( down three percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 6,249/litre  ( down seven percent m o m ) .
[ 24 March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  The new exchange rate suggests the widening gap between the black market exchange rate and the official one is not sustainable for international agencies. Their deposits of foreign currency in Syrian banks are automatically exchanged into Syrian pounds to pay for expenses and operations in the country, including the salaries of their staff, only a fraction of whom receive wages in dollars.
[ 24 March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  The CBS issued a statement asserting the official exchange rate remains unchanged, with the new one applying only to international NGOs and UN agencies. It provided no further explanation, but the decision came after the Syrian pound crossed a threshold of SYP 4,000 to the dollar on the black market earlier this month, sinking as far as SYP 4,700    a record low.
[ 24 March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  The introduction of a new exchange rate means the Central Bank is now managing three different rates for foreign currency, parallel to the black market rate. Besides the official exchange rate and the new preferential rate for international NGOs; there is a third rate of SYP 2,250 for the fees paid by Syrian men to avoid mandatory military service.
[ April 2021, NES ]  Intersectoral findings on unaffordability hindering access to goods and services: KIs in 18% of communities cited that rent prices were unaffordable for the majority of people.
[ April 2021, NES ]  70 days is the number of days the average day labourer would need to work to earn the monthly cost of basic SMEB items.
[ 1 8 March 2021, NWS ]  As in previous months, price inflation was the most common supply challenge, reported by 82% of vendors. This was most commonly reported in Idleb governorate where 87% of vendors reported this issue. Seemingly widespread price inflation may also impact vendors' ability to keep markets stocked with essential items, creating a further supply challenge.
[ 2 April 2021, GoS & Northern Syria ]  Having a different opinion as to the benefits that the regime might make from reopening crossings economic, researcher Manaf Quman told Enab Baladi earlier that the crossings would barely revive the regime or contribute to buffer the US and European sanctions imposed on the regime and its supporters. Quman said that the regime might be able to open the Nasib crossing with Jordan, or al Masnaa with Lebanon, or al Qa'im with Iraq if it adheres to not violating or circulating items prohibited by sanctions related mainly to reinforcing its military arsenal, high tech products, and others that help it suppress the protests, in addition to oil and gas. Should this happen, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq can all benefit from customs duties imposed on goods' transport through the crossings.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  The results of the study showed that there are no non contact thermometers to measure the temperature of students and educational staff in 80%  ( 152 schools )  of schools, while there is a thermometer in 20%  ( 37 schools )  of the schools only.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  While the global measure of poverty depends on income, we have depended here on the variable available to us: spending. 40.2% had 201 400,00 SYP monthly household spending, 38.2% had 200,000 or less SYP, 15.1% had 401 600,000 SYP where as only 2.7% had more than 800,000 SYP of monthly household spending.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  The average full time work week in the study sample was 52.5 hours, which is higher than the general average in the region and higher than the rate permitted under the Labor Law.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  The average full time work week for men in the study sample is 55.6 hours, while the full time work week for women is 47.1. This can be partly explained by household responsibilities placed on women and the birth and parental leaves that some female employees enjoy, especially in the government sector. Despite this difference, working hours for women in Damascus remain higher than the general average in numerous countries in the region and the world; this could be a fundamentally distinguishing mark of work patterns within the city of Damascus, and may shed light on significant effects on the physical and psychological health of workers.
[ 1 8 March 2021, NWS ]  Overall, 36% of all surveyed vendors reported that they would run out in less than 3 days if their supply lines were cut, which remained the same as in January and February.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  Looking at the standard of living self assessment of all sample respondents, the data shows that only 6.5% consider themselves to be living at a high standard. Given that a large portion of those declaring their income actually live below the global poverty line, this means that the percentage of households living below the poverty line is greater than what respondents self assess.
[ May 2021, Overall Syria ]  Based on consultations and regular review of gaps and needs, the Logistics Cluster, together with the partnering organisations, identified the following logistics gaps: Need for consolidated logistics coordination and information sharing to reduce duplication of effort and increase operational efficiency, Restrictions on movement of humanitarian cargo and the need to maintain Inter Agency Humanitarian Convoys for crossline missions, Need for the coordination of cross border transhipment services, Need for common storage facilities inside Syria, Increasing need for dedicated logistics capacity strengthening initiatives, particularly among national actors within Syria, Need for an air cargo transport service to the northeast in support of the COVID 19 response.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  Reasons for unemployment fall within the standard definition; 4.3% of unemployed people of working age stated their reason for being unemployed is a lack of suitable job opportunities. A larger percentage, 14.5% of unemployed respondents 18–64, attribute their unemployment to health conditions. About 27% of currently unemployed respondents lost their jobs during the past ten years, a decade that witnessed the significant suppression of the uprising in Syria and military operations in most areas of the country. This resulted in a decline in economic activity and many people losing their jobs.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  In schools with non contact thermometers  ( 37 schools ) , students' temperature is checked at the beginning of the school day only in 95% ( 35 schools )  of schools, while the temperature of students at the beginning of the school day is not checked in 5% ( 2 schools )  of schools.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  Percentage of currently unemployed respondents who stated that they have never worked, 69.8%. This is considered a high percentage and can be generally explained by the high rate of unemployment among women, whose activities are focused on unpaid housework and childcare.
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  35% of the sample respondents have jobs in government and private institutions as “employees,' while 30.3% cite their current profession as “worker,' a category including professions such as a taxi driver  ( without ownership of the car ) , factory workers, store workers, etc. The percentage of “employers' which includes all independent professionals like engineers and lawyers reached 23.1%.
[ February 22, NWS ]  COVID 19 file official in Idlib Health Directorate, Dr. Hussam Kara Mohammed, toldEnab Baladithat the directorate has worked with partners in humanitarian organizations as well as the World Health Organization  ( WHO )  as a key partner to secure the coronavirus vaccine for the people of the liberated areas. Starting next March, 60,000 medical personnel working on the ground will be vaccinated as they are most vulnerable to infection, Mohammed added.
[ May 2021, Overall Syria ]  Between April and May 2021, the price of chicken and beef increased as a result of a number of factors. The high price of chicken in particular is linked to the high cost of inputs, especially feed, as explained by Osama Daboul, the Vice Chairman of the Poultry Breeders Committee in Tartous. Daboul explained that “the poultry sector, including meat and eggs, is going through a tragic and catastrophic situation, and if this situation continues without solutions, the sector may collapse.'
[ January 2021, NWS ]  The rules of social distancing in the classroom to limit the spread of COVID 19 virus require providing 2 meters for each of the students in the classroom. Results of the study show that the rules of social distancing is not applied in 69%  ( 131 schools )  of the schools; whereas the rules were applied in 31%  ( 58 schools )  of the schools.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Proportion of assessed settlements with KIs reporting the presence of child protection issues over the 30 days prior to data collection: Yes 95% and No 5%.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Most commonly reported child protection concerns in these assessed settlements: Child labour  ( 93% )  and Early marriage  ( below age 18 )   ( 93% ) .
[ 24 March 2021, NES ]  In North East Syria the number of confirmed cases reached 9,018 up from 8,592 reported a month ago.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  The percentage of communities reporting the lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility as a barrier to accessing healthcare in the last 30 days: 76 100%
[ 14 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Over 12.4 million people are in need of health aid, especially people living in camps and camplike settlements.
[ 1   28 February 2021, NWS ]  In NW Syria, there were a total of 21,164 confirmed COVID 19 cases, including 11,552 cases in Idleb and 9,612 in the northern Aleppo governorate. At the end of February, a total of 408 COVID 19 related deaths were reported in NW Syria.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  Recent KAP  ( Knowledge, Attitude and Practices )  survey results indicated that television remains the most trusted source of information regarding COVID 19, with 73% of respondents to the survey reported that they receive most of their information about the virus from television. To increase the reach of RCCE  ( Risk Communication and Community Engagement )  messages, several RCCE partners are engaging with traditional media agencies in order to promote COVID 19 awareness, Public Service Announcements will be broadcast on television and radio.
[ April 2021, NWS ]  Estimated median monthly household expense for water for a household of six: 18,000 SYP in Northwest Syria, 19,477 SYP in Greater Idleb area and 17,313 SYP in Northern Aleppo.
[ February 9, Aleppo ]  The generators' owners were asked to charge people 2,500 SYP for the weekly subscription. However, this fee is “unrealistic and very little,' they said, explaining that ampere prices depend on how much a generator would consume of fuel oil, generator malfunctions, and repair costs. All these costs must be covered by the subscription fee, the owners said. The prices of amperes are determined by the city council, which ordered that owners be paid 65 SYP for every hour they operate the generator,Enab Baladicorrespondent said. But the owners continue to ignore price regulations, each demanding the price he sees fit.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose sterilization of public facilities within schools by service personnel periodically  ( stair railings, door handles, water taps... )  on a daily basis and after every break or gathering of students; The study showed that public facilities within schools are not sterilized periodically within 56%  ( 106 schools )  of schools, and public facilities within schools are sterilized only once a day within 37%  ( 69 schools )  of schools, while public facilities within schools are sterilized after every break and after gathering of students within 7%  ( 14 schools )  of schools.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose providing leaflets on school walls, classrooms, yards and toilets to raise awareness of ways to protect against the spread of the COVID 19 virus and commitment to abide by hem; The study showed that there are awareness leaflets on the school walls, class  rooms, the courtyard and toilets within 68%  ( 129 schools )  of the schools, while there are no awareness leaflets on the school walls, classrooms, courtyard and toilets within 32%  ( 60 schools )  of the schools.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose conducting awareness campaigns for students about COVID 19 prevention measures; The study showed that awareness campaigns were conducted for students about prevention measures within 85%  ( 161 schools )  of schools, while no awareness campaigns were conducted for students about prevention measures within 15%  ( 28 schools )  of schools.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose on the class teacher to take daily notes in the first class about any symptoms of students' illness which are then approved and kept by the school principal. The study showed that the classroom teachers took daily notes in the first class about any disease symp  toms on students in 50%  ( 94 schools )  of the schools, while the classroom teachers did not take notes about any symptoms of students' illness within 50%  ( 95 schools )  of schools.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that students who show symptoms of cold are transferred to a specialized hospital; the study showed that students who show symptoms of cold are transferred to a specialized hospital within 18%  ( 34 schools )  of schools, while students who show symptoms of cold are sent to their homes in 76%  ( 144 schools )  of schools, while students who show symptoms of common cold are neither transferred to the hospital nor sent home in 6%  ( 11 schools )  of schools and they continue to stay with their colleagues, which may transmit a cold infection or any other disease to their colleagues.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose identifying a place for isolation within the school in case there are students who show symptoms of COVID 19 in the morning; The study shows that a place for isolation was identified within the schools for students who showed symptoms of the COVID 19 virus in the morning in 2%  ( 3 schools )  of the schools, while no specific place for isolation was identified in 98%  ( 186 schools )  of schools.
[ June 2021, NES ]  Reported agricultural operational costs perceived to be highest  ( reported by % assessed communities ) :  38%: Fertilizers  36%: Harvesting costs  32%: Fuel prices  18%: Engine maintenance service  18%: Insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides
[ 18 August 2021, Aleppo & Idleb, NWS ]  In Aleppo governorate, significantly higher rates of households live in residential areas  ( 86 percent )  compared to Idleb  ( 53 percent ) . Conversely, a lower percentage in Aleppo live in informal or planned IDP settlements  ( 14 percent )  compared to Idleb  ( 47 percent ) .
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  14% of HHs in NWS live in shelters smaller than 20 squared metres.
[ June 2021, NES ]  Most commonly reported strategies to cope with a lack of agricultural resources during the last season  ( reported by % assessed communities ) :  76%: Get the land rented to others before planting season  58%: Sell livestock assets  58%: Access to cash by going into debt to cover operational costs  13%: Change crop type
[ January 17, GoS ]  However, the Syrian government will not accept a policy to set the price of the exchange rate based on supply and demand relative to other currencies, economic analyst Dr. Firas Shaabo indicated. The Central Bank of Syria  ( CBS )  has no useful policy tools and is somewhat “out of service,' while the security services maintain their grip on all the critical sectors in the country, including the economy. The Syrian regime, therefore, determines the currency prices through other factors that are not fundamentally monetary.
[ January 17, GoS ]  Inan interview with al Madina FM, a pro government radio station, on 10 January, former Syrian Economic Minister Lamia Asi pointed out that the Syrian government could adopt the floating exchange rate system. She said that the floating exchange rate is a “complicated' economic policy. The Syrian government could face numerous difficulties by implementing it. Floating exchange rate  ( floating currency )  is an exchange rate regime in which the value of a currency is determined by market forces  the demand and supply mechanisms of the foreign exchange market. The floating exchange rate tends to fluctuate according to changes in demand and supply. This is in contrast to the fixed exchange rate, which is set by the government.
[ January 17, GoS ]  Therefore, the Syrian government cannot approve the floating exchange rate system because Syria, in the first place, does not have economic fundamentals such as export and industry activities. Suppose the government floats the Syrian pound  ( SYP ) . In that case, there will be disastrous consequences, and the Syrian economy will suffer from a severe economic meltdown in light of the Syrian security services' inability to control exchange rates on the black market.
[ January 17, GoS ]  Prices of almost everything will increase sharply to levels that Syrian citizens cannot imagine. The Syrian government will not be able to withstand the crisis. In turn, its allies will be restless about the Syrian economy's collapse, which will be a “big blow' to the Syrian regime. However, Shaboo said that the Syrian government is not actually considering the floating exchange rate policy. The adoption of a floating exchange rate policy was just a proposal to save the economy and get it out of the bottleneck
[ January 17, Aleppo ]  Resumption of airport operations can do “little' to boost economic growth–and not in the desired form–because of the country's lack of resources and raw materials, as well as the absence of foreign currencies from the market. These are the factors required by the owners of enterprises for production, manufacturing, export, and even import.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Children below the age of 12 were reported as a group affected by child labour in 12% of communities.
[ February 16, Syria ]  At this stage, 76 hospitals used as service delivery points are planned to provide vaccination, on top of 101 primary health care facilities all over the country. This number of facilities and teams is preliminary and is subject to change based on the ongoing microplanning. Each hospital will have 3 or more teams assigned to the microplanning for each phase of the campaign. Services will be provided by the trained hospital teams and by routine immunization personnel as part of the mobile teams.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that within a week of the school open  ing the medical history form of the school's teachers, administrators, or workers must be filled out; Any employee classified as one of the employees most at risk of contracting the virus can be exempt from daily work in the school and assigned tasks suitable for him; The study showed that educational and administrative personnel and workers filled out a medical history form within 21%  ( 40 schools )  of the schools, while educational and administrative staff and workers did not fill out the medical history form in 79%  ( 149 schools )  of the schools.
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  Across the north west, host population and returnees are only represented in residential areas, whereas IDPs live in residential areas  ( 46 percent ) , informal IDP settlements  ( 46 percent ) , and planned IDP settlements  ( 8 percent ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  % communities where barriers to accessing income from agriculture to meet basic needs reported lack of access to resources  ( 28% among residents and11% among IDPs )
[ overall Syria ]  between March 2011 and February 2021, at least 3,364 health care workers were arrested, detained or forcibly disappeared, with Syrian regime forces being responsible for 99% of these arrests and forced disappearances.
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  Urban  ( top 3 shelter types ) : Nearly all households in urban areas live in finished or unfinished houses or apartments  ( 83 percent and 14 percent, respectively ) ; only 2 percent live in tents.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose the existence of a mechanism for exchanging health information between the school and the parents about Covide 19 cases among students or in the student's surroundings  ( the student's family and neighbors )  such as WhatsApp rooms; The study showed that there is a mechanism for exchanging health information between the school and the parents about COVID 19 cases in 84%  ( 158 schools )  of the schools only. While there is no mechanism for exchanging health information between the school and the students' parents in 16%  ( 31 schools )  of the schools.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Heating fuel is unaffordable for 97% of communities and 98% of communities for winterisation items.
[ June 2021, NWS ]  Washing hands less frequently reported as a coping strategy for a lack of water: 3% of communities
[ 16 APR 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of infections recorded till now has reached up to 20713, of which 14469 have recovered and 1414 have passed away.
[ June 2021, NWS ]  Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access: 13% of communities
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus imposes the existence of communication be  tween the school administration and the medical authorities to exchange information about the spread of the virus between students, teachers and in their surrounding environment; The study showed that there is communication between the school administration and the medical authorities to exchange information about the spread of the virus within 49%  ( 93 schools )  of schools only. While there is no communication between the school administration and the medical authorities in 51%  ( 96 schools )  of the schools.
[ 1 8 March 2021, NWS ]  In addition to the rising cost of food items themselves, additional items that are necessary for the preparation and cooking of raw food also increased in price. Median regional prices for vegetable oil and ghee, both commonly used for cooking, rose by 35% and 30% respectively between February and March, continuing a significant upward trend.
[ 15 July 2021, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 25,814 till now, of which 21,901 have recovered, and 1,902 others have passed away.
[ 29th March 2021, GoS ]  The closure of public spaces and prohibition of public gatherings are generally not reported across the country, with the exception of a small number of sub districts in GoS controlled  ( 4 percent ) , where some of the communities reported the prohibition of public gatherings.
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  Almost all households report having access to a functioning toilet  ( 98 percent ) , with little variation between households living in different shelter types, apart from those living in tents, for whom rates of access to functional toilets are lowest  ( 89 percent ) .
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that the school requires students who have been in contact with carriers of the virus to stay home for a period of 14 days; The study showed that the school had no information about students' contact with people carrying the virus in 22%  ( 42 schools )  of schools; While the school requires students who have been in contact with carriers of the virus to stay at home for 14 days in 76%  ( 144 schools )  of schools, whereas in 2%  ( 3 schools )  of schools, schools do not require students who have been in contact with carriers of the virus to stay at home.
[ 3 May 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of coronavirus infections in the country reached up to 22,898, of which 17,171 cases have recovered and 1,603 have passed away.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that students and educational and administrative staff wear protective masks  ( masks ) . The study showed that educational and administrative personnel wear masks in 81%  ( 153 schools )  of schools, while educational and administrative personnel do not wear masks within 19%  ( 36 schools )  of schools
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of communities where KIs reported the insufficient income of households and general lack of employment opportunities as barriers to meeting basic needs: 94% reported insufficient income of households and 54% general lack of employment opportunities.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  The study showed that students in the camps of Idleb governorate are committed to wearing protective masks as per the following percentages; 81% on Kherbet Eljoz, 67% in the clusters of Harem and Jisr Ash Shugur, 56% in Qourqeena cluster, 55% in Sheikh Bahr cluster, 48% in Armanaz and Kafr Takharim cluster, 67% in the cluster of Salqin and Sarmada, 38% in the clusters of Qah and Ma'arrat Tamasrin, 23% in the cluster of Al Rahma, 21% in Atma cluster, and 19% in Al Karama cluster. While the percentages in the camps of Aleppo governorate are as follows; 43% of the students in the clusters of Atareb and Daret Azza, 15% in A'zaz cluster, 10% in Jarablus and Al Bab cluster, but none of the students use protective masks in Deir Ballut cluster.
[ 4 May 2021, NES ]  The only laboratory in the region that can test for COVID 19 is in Qamishli. It is currently experiencing critical shortages of supplies   two weeks from now, there will be no PCR testing capacity in the region unless further supplies arrive.
[ 4 May 2021, NES ]  While many frontline health workers across the globe have received their first vaccine to protect them against COVID 19, vaccination plans in northeastern Syria have fallen between the cracks, with vague promises and insufficient planning. Local authorities report that they have been promised just 20,000 vaccines for an area that hosts five million people, and it remains unclear if those vaccines will even arrive.
[ 4 May 2021, NES ]  At least two COVID 19 treatment centers in Hassakeh and Raqqa have stopped activities after running out of funds and medical supplies, linked to lack of a long term funding planning by humanitarian organizations and challenges in supply lines. Many unsupported hospitals are raising alarms and requesting basic but essential support for items like oxygen, antibiotics, and PPE to be able to cope with the increasing numbers of patients with COVID 19.
[ June 2021, NES ]  Most commonly reported sources of electricity used by households  ( by % of communities ) : 81% said Main network, 9% said Private generator, 9% said Community generators and less than 1% said Solar panels.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that educational staff and students avoid sharing common educational tools such as a whiteboard pens or erasers. The study showed that educational staff and students avoid sharing common educational tools in 48%  ( 91 schools )  of schools, while education  al staff and students do not avoid sharing common educational tools within 52%  ( 98 schools )  of schools.
[ June 2021, NES ]  27% of assessed communities KIs reported infrastructure as a priority need. HSOS findings show that from March to May, the proportion of communities where infrastructure was reported as a priority need for residents went from 0% to 27%, with expansion of main network access in May reported as a need in 48% of assessed locations
[ January 2021, NWS ]   [ January 2021, NWS ]  Precautionary measures to limit the spread of the COVID 19 virus impose that the school provides distance learning programs for students who are unable to attend school due to the spread of the COVID 19 virus; The study showed that only 70%  ( 133 schools )  of schools provide distance learning programs for students who are unable to attend due to the spread of the virus, while 30%  ( 56 schools )  of schools do not provide distance learning programs.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The impacts of the regional economic decline is evidenced by the 60 percent of returnees citing livelihoods and access to basic services as priority needs, followed by 47 percent citing food and 46 percent health.
[ 14 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  National deployment plan prioritizes high risk groups equitably across all administrative areas. The plan under COVAX is to cover 20% of the population in two phases: 3% in the first phase by end of June 2021 and 17% by end of December 2021. As elsewhere in the globe, health workers will be the prioritized for the first vaccine doses. COVAX has allocated AZ SII for the first batch of vaccine shipment to Syria.
[ February 5, NES ]  Authorities in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria  ( NES )  have lifted all COVID 19 restrictions in the region as of Feb. 5. All markets, bazaars, and restaurants can now reopen at full capacity. There is also no limit on the number of people at major gatherings such as weddings, funerals, and conferences.
[ February 12, Dar'a ]  Although the citrus is regarded as the most consumed fruit in winter and the most popular prescription for decreasing the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  in Daraa, its lovers nowadays cannot afford to buy it like before due to its high prices. Citrus fruits are considered somewhat of a luxury. They are purchased only when needed.
[ February 3, Syria ]  Shortly after the 5,000 pound note was released on 24 January, news spread about the Syrian regime's intention to issue 10,000 SYP banknotes. Economic analysts linked the release of new banknotes to the depreciation of the SYP and high inflation rates, which lead to the rise of prices of goods and services in the country.All together, these caused a stalemate in some local markets in several regions.
[ February 3, Syria ] Over the past two months, the SYP exchange rate fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, between 2,740 and 2,950 SYP/USD. The SYP then passed 3,000 against USD for the second time; the first time was on 8 June 2018, when the SYP hit a historic record low of 3,175.
[ July, NWS ] In addition, the prohibitive costs of medicine particularly since the closure of crossings due to COVID 19 and by SYP fluctuations was raised by many KII participants and the sentiment is well explained by a 36 year old female from a formal camp in Dana,
[ July, NWS ] Additionally, since COVID 19 the schools are now closed as well as many schools are housing IDPs. However, the vast majority of KIIs explained that families are simply left with no option but to send their children to work, and child labour combined with lack of schooling is a source of great concern for participants.
[ July, NWS ] According to Key Informants, the main barrier to accessing food was lack of income and increased prices of items, with both of these issues being caused or exacerbated by SYP depreciation and the effects on wages and food prices. Furthermore, the closure of supply lines due to COVID 19 was widely referred to and additionally the majority of IDP KIIs also noted the impact of closure of bazaars due to COVID 19 restrictions which they noted had been a source of cheaper food items.
[ July, NWS ]  Indeed, one of the main issues raised by traders was the closure of crossing points and the high fees charged at each point when open. They stressed that this forced them to raise the food prices and also that transportation costs have increased due to increased fuel prices and the condition of the roads.
[ February 2021, NWS ]  KIs in 46% of communities cited the high cost of health services as a common challenge.
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  # of HHs with whom shelter is shared  ( % of HHs ) :   No other HHs: 95%   One other HHs: 3%   Two other HHs: 1%   Three or more other HHs: 1%
[ 18 August 2021, NWS ]  GOVERNORATE BREAKDOWN  ( % OF HHS ) : Sharing with one other HH:  Idleb: 2%  Aleppo: 5% Sharing with two other HHs:  Idleb: 1%  Aleppo:1% Sharing with three or more other HHs:  Idleb: 0%  Aleppo: 1%
[ 13 APR 2021, NES ]  60 % of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 13 APR 2021, NES ]  Ak Hasakeh governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ February 2021, NES ]  Kis in 32% of the communities cited the high cost of fuel for generators as a common challenge.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  Agriculture Bank cannot provide granular top dressing fertilizer in Al Hasakeh due to security reasons,the lack of substance in Tartous, Homs and Hama governorates. This has forced most farmers to rely on the local market to meet the gap.
[ 26 May 2021, NES ] “The cancellation of the decision to raise fuel prices came in response to popular demands in the areas run by the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria,' Hamid al Mahbash, co chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration, was quoted as saying by the North Press Agency close to the SDF. Mahbash noted, “The administration reconsidered the decision and decided to reinstate the previous prices until a new price list is reached that suits the economic situation of the population.'
[ 18 May 2021, NES ]  On 18 May 2021, a number of Kurdish parties in Qamishli issued a joint statement, rejecting the Autonomous Administration's decision to raise fuel prices. The statement called on the administration to reverse the decision, describing it as “an oppressive, uncalculated move that does not take into account the difficult living conditions of the people already suffering from poverty.'
[ 11 February 2021, NWS ]  In coordination with other humanitarian actors, the Cluster has been collecting data on COVID 19 cases inside camps. By 11 February 2021, there were 2,206 cases reported in camps, of which 134 are recovered cases, 15 are deceased, and 2,057 are alive cases. Over crowding and lack of camp management remain major challenges in the fight against the pandemic in IDP sites.
[ February 2021, NES ]  Access to Health Services 74% of communities where KIs reported that the households did not have access to health services in the assessed location.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of assessed communities in which KIs reported loans and remittances as most common sources of meeting basic needs: 76 100%
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Most commonly reported health priority needs was the treatment for chronic diseases  ( by 57% of communities ) .
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Reported hygiene item availability and affordability; Unaffordable for the majority of people: Soap: 40% Adult hygiene items: 60% Household cleaning items: 68%
[ 1 8 March 2021, NWS ]  MEDIAN COOKING FUEL  ( Kerosene 25L and LPG 20L )  COST   53,234 Syrian Pounds; One month change: 32% and Six month change: 76%.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Reported issues with soap for residents within assessed settlements: Soap is too expensive 100%.
[ February 17, Syria ]  Syria is expecting an allocation of the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed by Oxford University, because it does not have the facilities to keep Pfizer vaccines in the deep freeze necessary to preserve them.
[ February 17, Syria ]  While neither of the three parties that share control over Syrian territories the Syrian regime government; the Syrian Interim Government, or the AANES have declared the outcomes of the vaccine delivery negotiations with the World Health Organization  ( WHO ) , COVAX, a WHO affiliated facility, announced that it has designated Syria on its list of COVID 19 vaccine recipient countries.
[ February 17, Syria ]  Requesting that her name be withheld for security concerns, a nurse from the Damascus based Assad University Hospital ensured that the inoculation card is not fake. The government of the Syrian regime has been delivered 60 doses, the nurse toldEnab Baladi. But she could not tell for sure which of the vaccine formulas these doses were, “because the health professionals at the hospital were quite discreet about the matter.'
[ February 17, Syria ] As soon as the Chinese ambassador to Syria announced his country's intention to deliver the regime's government doses of the COVID 19 vaccine, Syrian social media users started posting photos of the “appointment card for the second dose.' The card, bearing the name of the regime's Ministry of Health, demonstrates that the holder has received the first dose on 6 February, with the second dose scheduled for the 27th of the same month. However, the regime's officials have not announced the arrival of any COVID 19 vaccines into regime held areas, nor the start of the vaccination process.
[ February 17, Syria ]  On 4 February, the Chinese Ambassador to Syria, Feng Biao, stated that 150,000 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine have been delivered to Syria in aid to the regime's government, the pro regimeal Watannewspaper reported. The Chinese ambassador did not name the vaccine type delivered to Syria, given that two local formulas are in use in Chania  Sinopharm, approved in December 2020, and CoronaVac, approved on 6 February 2021.
[ April 2021, NES ]  While markets remain the primary source of food for families across NES, KIs in 38% of communities reported in May that households could not access food markets within the community in the previous month.
[ February 17, Syria ]  According to the COVAX Facility: Interim Distribution Forecast, published on 3 February, Syria is listed as one of the countries to be allocated doses of the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine. The forecast contains an indicative distribution of 240 million doses of the vaccines, with Syria's share amounting to 1,20,000 doses.
[ February 16, Syria ]  Vaccine Request Form  ( VRF )  Part A of the COVID 19 Vaccine Application document was signed by the Minister of Health and sent to Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization  ( GAVI )  on 15 December 2020. On 27 January 2021, the Syrian Prime Minister declared the Government's approval of the vaccine initiative through the COVAX facility. Part B was signed on 3 February and sent to GAVI.
[ February 17, Syria ]  This indicates that the COVAX allocations' will not be affected by doses donated by other suppliers and that the WHO will meet the regime's requirements in line with its own protocols and regulations.
[ February 17, Syria ]  Asked whether the WHO will count Chinese doses delivered to Syria upon determining the number of doses to be allocated to Syria, or not, Magtymova said: “WHO recognizes the countries liberty of making efforts for diversifying COVID 19 vaccines and their availability for their populations, based on safety and efficacy protocols and national regulations.'
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Reported issues with handwashing facilities for residents within assessed settlements: Soap is too expensive 78%, Not enough handwashing facilities 50% and No handwashing facilities 46%.
[ February 17, Syria ]  “WHO supports public health programmes across all areas and population groups,' with plans for COVID 19 vaccine introduction in an operationalized manner throughout the country. The WHO will administrate the vaccines through selected public health facilities and mobile teams and via trained health facility teams, the WHO office added.
[ February 17, Syria ]  As for the target groups, the office said that “microplans will equally cover the population of camps across NES and NW. The first batch of vaccines will target eligible high risk health workforce and frontline humanitarian workers, regardless of the location.'
[ February 17, Syria ]  To carry out cross line operations, including vaccine and medical aid distribution, UN agencies have to seek the Syrian regime's permission for every delivery, project, or convoy to move from areas held by the regime to those held by other armed groups, Human Rights Watchsaidin a February report.
[ February 17, Syria ]  Over the first phase, the vaccine batch will cover 3% of the population, which is mainly the health workforce and frontline workers who are likely to be in contact with COVID 19 cases.
[ February 17, Syria ]  The government of the Syrian regime has repeatedly either withheld or delayed such permissions, preventing the delivery of medical and other supplies to areas outside its control. The regime's government has also hampered several UN agencies from implementing essential projects in the said areas. For instance, the regime's government has refused to “allow UN agencies to establish Covid 19 testing labs in northeast Syria,' Human Rights Watch added.
[ February 17, Syria ]  In the second and third phases, the batches “adjusted as per quantities made available by COVAX,' will be administrated to high risk populations, for example, the elderly population and those with co morbidities, Magtymova added.
[ February 17, Syria ]  The information presented by Magtymova was emphasized by the Regional Director of SAMS Turkey, Mazen Kewara, saying that the current scope of the COVAX vaccination plan covers only 20% of the population across Syrian areas and regardless of the armed groups in control.
[ 15 March 2021, GoS ]  Widespread medicine shortages were reported in Damascus in the spring of 2020. The shortages were allegedly linked to disagreements between the MoH and pharmaceutical companies on the price of medicine, as pharmacies struggled to import medicine after the Syrian pound collapse. To ease the crisis, the government agreed to increase the selling price of 1,400 medicines and set a preferential exchange rate for medical imports.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Reported issues related to social distancing: Living conditions do not allow for it 100% and People unsure of reasons why to social distance 21%.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]  The average price for bulk foods stabilized since March  ( 0.2% decrease overall ) , but this is a 63% increase since October 2020. At the item level, only red lentils increased in price, by 3%. All other items decreased in price: bulgur and rice decreased by 4%, sugar and tomato paste decreased by 8%, and salt decreased by 5%. According to REACH field teams, these prices decreased due to appreciation of the SYP, however red lentils increased in price due to an increase in demand during the Ramadan period.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB COST & CHANGES   350,898 Syrian Pounds; One month change: 0% and Six month change: 72%.
[ April 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: Lack of necessary protective equipment or supplies at health facilities reported as a barrier to healthcare access  ( 8% ) .
[ 5 13th April 2021, NES ]  The price of bread also decreased considerably across NES by 45% between March and April, a 37% decrease since October 2020. This is attributed to both the appreciation of the SYP and general subsidies by the authorities. The average bread prices varied between governorates: Northeast Aleppo: 263 SYP, Al Hasakeh: 250 SYP, Ar Raqqa: 200 SYP per 8 pieces. Conversely, flour prices increased by 8% in April, contributing to a 133% increase in the same six month period.
[ April 2021, NES ]  Effects of COVID 19 on livelihoods sectors in the community  ( by % of communities ) : 56% said None of the available livelihood sectors were affected and 44% said At least one of the available livelihood sectors was partially or totally affected.
[ May 2021, Aleppo governorate ]   [ Menbij East New Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,412 ]  Of the 46% of households with a member living with a chronic disease, 0% reported that required medicine was not available, and 84% reported that the medicine was available, but that they could not afford it.
[ April 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access  ( 8% )  and Lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility reported as a barrier to healthcare access  (  39% ) .
[ overall Syria ] In just one week in February 2020, three hospitals – including a maternity hospital – were bombed, and bombing or shelling forced five others to close in north  west Syria. Sixteen health workers were killed and 21 injured
[ April 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 related barriers to access services were reported: 8% reported Access to markets was reportedly hindered because markets reduced opening hours or days because of COVID 19