nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures / Food Security Sector ]  1,125,350 people have been reached with COVID 19 specific food assistance by WFP between 1 March and 11 November
More than 100,000 people have been vaccinated in Afghanistan to date, including some 68,000 health workers and 18,000 teachers
28.6% of respondents reported that CBE students can pursue their education through television based programs and 13.8% through radios, but the coverage area of televisions and radios, which broadcast lessons through distance learning to students, are either weak or do not reach most of the areas surveyed.
The geographical distribution of access constraints stemming from military operations continued to correlate with the overall conflict activity around the country, with Kandahar logging the highest level of restrains to humanitarian operations  ( 11 incidents ) , followed by Kunduz  ( nine incidents ) , Nangarhar  ( six incidents )  and Faryab  ( five incidents ) .
The Taliban continued to author most interference attempts  ( 92 )  followed by GoA  ( Government of Afghanistan )   ( 12 ) , with community and ANSF  ( Afghan National Security Force )  members authoring six and five incidents respectively.
WASH achievements as of 31 August 2020: 23 bore water wells constructed; 48 solar operated water points and 5 water reservoirs installed; Implementation of solar powered pipe scheme projects; 10 semi deep wells and 1 water reservoir constructed
Casualties from landmine explosions were reported along the Armenia Artsakh Azerbaijan Lines of Contact.
HAG records indicate a correlation between an increase in ongoing fighting and an increase in access constraints, including collateral damage, IEDs  ( Improvised Explosive Devices )  incidents and movement restrictions.
Under the category of violence against humanitarians, the HAG recorded an increase in threats against humanitarian staff, robberies as well as a continuously high number of abductions and detentions.
A key secondary impact of the COVID 19 outbreak is food insecurity. In Surkh Dewall, 31.3 per cent of respondents report insufficient food stocks during the past 7 days; those with lower income and female headed households suffer more severe food insecurity  ( Fig 3 ) .
In addition, 82 per cent of patients testing positive for SARS CoV 2 are between 20 59 years of age  ( OCHA 2020 ) ; hence, those suffering with symptoms are likely to be household earners, exerting further pressure on vulnerable residents. Female headed households are most at risk because they suffer lower incomes than their male counterparts.
The majority of households work in the informal sector as unskilled labourers  ( around 80 per cent ) , with the remainder earning a living as street vendors. The majority  ( over 87 per cent )  of respondents report a family income of less than 5,000 AFG on average per month  ( around 64 USD ) , which equates to around 1,000 AFG per month  ( around 13 USD ) , or less than 0.5 USD per person per day; these figures are significantly below the average for Afghanistan.
This high number of people living in close proximity is alarming because it has been known since January 2020 that the main spread of COVID 19 has occurred within households, driven by close contact and prolonged exposure to infected respiratory droplets. The ability for people to adhere to social distancing and to self isolate, and thus protect others in their household when exhibiting symptoms of COVID 19, is near impossible in such a context.
In addition, the informal livelihood activities reported by residents  ( unskilled labourers and street vendors )  are located in public space and involve travel, rendering residents' income at risk from government enforced COVID 19 lockdowns. In this context, the precarcity of informal livelihoods means that the consequences of the health and economic shocks associated with COVID 19 are particularly severe.
Households also have limited resources to meet the costs associated with healthcare and lost income if a family member becomes ill.
Low and insecure incomes constrain residents' ability to take measures to prevent COVID 19 transmission, such as purchasing personal hygiene products or staying at home and self isolating when COVID 19 symptomatic.
SCI and its partners operate in hard to reach areas in Afghanistan where people regularly experience manmade and natural disasters which compound high levels of poverty, lack of telecommunication services and electricity, and illiteracy. These challenges negatively impact continuity of learning for SCI's and partners' students during the school closure period
More than 65% of parents confirmed they have radio in their families, and they can afford the batteries for the radio as well. Almost 33% of parents mentioned they have no radio and cannot afford to purchase batteries. Roughly, 65% of parents confirmed they have no problem with their children listening to radios for educational purposes, while 33% expressed they are not willing to give permission to their children to listen to radio if they are not around while they are listening.
 All teachers  ( 100% )  confirmed they have no access to reliable electricity for teaching purposes.  All teachers  ( 100% )  mentioned that they have access to radios although none report this as preferred option for professional development. None of teachers in these three district have access to TV or smart phones. Furthermore, 33% preferred using their simple phone for professional development.
Throughout the country, an increasing number of poor households particularly those with below average stocks or who are adversely affected by lower remittances are expected to deteriorate to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  as the lean season progresses and stocks are exhausted.
Several respondents flagged that drop outs and child labor, in particular in rural areas, has increased in their communities as a result of children not attending schools  ( linked to COVID19 school closures ) .
While looking at supportive modalities for remote and distance learning, the key consideration is that most children and teachers have limited connectivity with technology enabled devices, including mobile phones, radio, TV and internet, and that these limitations are specifically exacerbated for the most vulnerable families, girls and children with inclusion needs. Thus, any efforts to support remote teaching and learning via technology enabled devices must be designed and developed with a specific focus on not further exacerbated the digital divide for these vulnerable groups.
Of those KIs reporting at least one barrier to accessing the market, the most frequently cited were: 36% Fear of exposure to COVID 19, and public health restrictions, 29% Financial barriers, 15% Insecurity travelling to the market
The ongoing conflict has resulted in displacement and civilian casualties and is hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance and services, particularly in hard to reach districts.
Physical and sexual violence or abuse: There are early indications that gender based violence  ( GBV ) , already rife, is being exacerbated by measures to control the spread of the virus. In particular, the stress experienced by male heads of household losing employment opportunities and livelihoods, becoming  ( increasingly )  violent at home with wives and children. Women and girls at risk or currently experiencing violence have few safe spaces or options for support.
Family / child separation: Children are at risk of neglect and separation from parents who are infected with the virus, and/or die as a result of it. Economic hardship in their families triggered by the lack of employment opportunities may result in negative coping mechanisms, such as child labour and child marriage, or may see children sent to distant relatives or wealthy benefactors increasing the risks of trafficking and exploitation.
At the end of April 2020, there are close to 2,000 cases of COVID 19 in Afghanistan, including in areas with internally displaced persons  ( IDPs ) . One staff member of a partner organisation has contracted COVID 19, resulting in all staff ceasing field activities and quarantining for 14 days, and dependents of UNHCR staff also tested positive in one Sub Office. Media reports suggest at least 40 staff members in the presidential palace have tested positive for the virus.
The establishment of quarantine camps at the border has been suggested by the authorities, but the humanitarian community has expressed its concerns should camps be set up, and the Afghanistan Protection Cluster  ( APC )  contributed to the preparation of a Guidance Note on self isolation in overcrowded setting. Meanwhile lockdowns have been imposed throughout the country in all provinces except one  ( Ghor )  until 24 May 2020, but with difficulties in implementation.
Most households in rural areas now relying on food stocks and income from their average to above average first and second season crop production. Pastoralists and agro pastoralists are also consuming the food stocks they procured for winter after selling livestock. However, income from remittances is likely below average, affecting many poor households across Afghanistan. Overall, given this and given the impacts of protracted conflict on the labor market, many poor households likely do not have sufficient income to meet all essential non food needs, with Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  outcomes expected across most of the country.
Proportion of KIs that reported consumers faced at least one of the mentioned barriers to accessing the market in the past 30 days: 70% faced barriers to access markets, 30% faced no barriers
In rural areas, households are now relying on their winter food stocks. In most areas, Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  outcomes are widespread and are expected to persist throughout the projection period. However, in some areas that harvested lower amounts and in areas worst affected by conflict, Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes are likely during the lean season.
The start of the 2020/21 wet season in October and early November was drier than typical across most of Afghanistan, largely due to persistent La Niña conditions which are associated with lower precipitation for Central Asia. This delayed winter wheat cultivation which typically starts in October in some provinces.
Within a month, the virus spread to Balkh, Samangan, Kandahar and Kabul provinces. On 14 March, the Government of Afghanistan closed all schools for an initial period of 4 weeks. Herat Provincial Governor announced a restriction of movement due to COVID 19 from 25 March 2020 until the situation improves.
Early assessments of COVID 19 impact on developed countries in 2020  ( e.g. in Germany, USA and China )  indicate a fall of 5% to 10% of GDP due to interruption of businesses, supply chain disruptions, labor layoffs. International demand and supply shocks can be transmitted via upstream and downstream linkages, falling consumer demand and investment owing to falling incomes and worsening expectations.
33% of KIs reported difficulties in roadbased transportation of goods. The three most frequently cited difficulties were: 21% Roadblocks, 22% Conflict, 9% Seasonality
% of KIs reporting change in price for NFIs in the 30 days prior to data collection: 13% Decreased, 61% Stayed the same, 22% Increased, 4% Don't know
[ Continuation of essential services ]  Provision of primary care continues through MHTs  ( inclusive of routine vaccinations, treatment and screening services ) , however expansion is required as the number of people seeking health care at static facilities has dropped  ( for fear of COVID 19 transmission ) .
% of sites by COVID 19 vulnerability score  ( by region ) : South   Higher risk: 0%, moderate risk: 25%
2% of households that reported a functional health facility is not within 2 hours of their house
% of households by key vulnerability indicators: 17% female headed household, 8% elderly headed household, 1% child headed household
% of households by preventative measure to COVID 19 they reported being aware of: 95% washing hands, 75% social distancing, 63% self isolation, 58% gloves and masks, 36% no face touching
% of households reporting preferred way of communicating feedback or complaints: 28% Call Awaaz, 12% calling the agency, 35% in person, 13% through authorities, 4% community leaders, 8% other
24% of households reporting a member has experienced a protection incident or is at risk:
17% of households reported having no access to mobile network communications and tools.
[ Surveillance, rapid response teams, and case investigation ]  IOM MHTs have trained more than 500 Community Health Workers  ( CHWs )  on COVID 19 awareness, prevention, identification and referrals. To enhance the reporting and data management capacity of the Provincial Public Health Directors  ( PPHD ) , IOM has donated IT equipment to PPHDs in Hirat, Nangarhar, Nimroz and Kandahar provinces.
% of households reporting a child member has experienced the following protection incidents or is at risk: 10% Physical violence or harassment, 5% Denial of resources or access to services, 1% marriage earlier than otherwise planned, 1% Drug addiction or exposure to illegal drug use
% of households reporting a male member has experienced the following protection incidents or is at risk: 13% Physical violence or harassment, 4% Denial of resources or access to services, 1% Marriage earlier than otherwise planned, 1% Drug addiction or exposure to illegal drug use
The most frequently reported barriers to accessing healthcare were: cost of medicines  ( 72% ) , cost of healthcare  ( 61% ) , cost of transport  ( 49% ) , insufficient capacity  ( 14% ) , distance and travel time  ( 12% )
Vulnerability and priority needs: 8% are elderly headed households
Coping strategies towards shortages of food   relying on leess preferred or less expensive food  ( 90.2% ) , borrowing food  ( 51.3% ) , reducing portion size of the meal  ( 38.4% ) , and reducing number of meals per day  ( 35.9% )
Main reasons for disruption in livelihood activities: Reduced demand for good/services 23.2%
Main reasons for disruption in livelihood activities: Transport limitations 39.4%
5.4% of households reported that they deal with reduced income by engaging in illegal work.
To respond to the COVID 19 public health emergency, the MoE has developed an alternative learning plan for continuation of education delivery for children across Afghanistan. The focus of the MoE plan is on alternative learning pathways, which provide children with continued access to education through the use of television, radio, smartphones or mobile phones, and teaching in small groups with strict attention to hygiene and preventive behaviors, such as social/physical distancing. The plan recommends three options for continuity of learning: • Self Learning • Distance Learning • Small Group Learning
The April announcement of US President Biden to extend the 1st May deadline and to withdraw US troops by 11 September 2021 was followed by Taliban statements, indicating that they considered this a breach of the US Taliban agreement of February 2020. This might lead to an escalation in conflict activity, with the Taliban likely to restart attacks on provincial DACs.
The second most common type of IED incidents were roadside IED, accounting for 20 per cent of all recorded IED incidents in Q1 2021. Overall, roadside IEDs are expected to remain one of the primary types of non state armed groups  ( NSAGs )  asymmetric attacks in rural areas of Afghanistan. Roadside IEDs are generally victim operated and therefore do not require a spotter or attacker, thereby decreasing the exposure of non state armed groups  ( NSAGs )  members.
It is expected that parties to the conflict will attempt to improve and fortify their current positions, potentially increasing the number and density of their checkpoints along the roads. Humanitarian movement is expected to rise in line with the humanitarian drought response; therefore, the frequency of incidents affecting humanitarian access on the roads is expected to increase in the coming months
While discussing children and their concerns related to education and protection, the respondents have mentioned because we don't have educated people at home and is difficult to continue education for children.
The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are due to road blocks and fear of infections, people try to take care of themselves by staying at home and home therapies are preferred.
The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are there is no work in the community and all the roads have been locked down since 20 days. Without money they can't travel down to clinics and purchase medicines.
The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are health facilities still not equipped and thus request to increase the services and facilities for COVID 19.
[ Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures / Health Sector ]  34,000 polio surveillance volunteers engaged in surveillance, case identification and contact tracing. / 8,954 polio surveillance volunteers trained on raising COVID 19 awareness, clinical diagnosis, case identification and contact tracing. / 519,023 people screened at points of entry by Health Cluster partners. / 4,720,342 people reached with risk communication and community engagement messages by health partners. / 591,232 people traced through Health Cluster surveillance systems since the start of the crisis.
[ Infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  ]  With the support from ECHO, WHO has delivered more than 520,000 PPE items to frontline NGO workers in Afghanistan. IOM has supplied more than 38,000 units of PPE across 6 provinces. Infection Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  training has been provided to 4,350 healthcare workers.
[ Infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  ]  UNICEF, with the support of the World Bank and the Government of Japan, has distributed 569,823 units of PPE directly to health providers nationwide. More than 150,000 units of PPE were provided to MoPH by WHO. However, issues around a clear distribution plan remain unresolved.
The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are some hospitals don't have medicines and screening facilities and thus feel no benefit of visiting the clinics.
The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are Government and NGOs administration are not reachable for help due to lockdown.
76% of the responders have mentioned about high level of increase of prices of food items and essential commodities as a result of movement restrictions due to COVID.
45% of the responders have mentioned that food items are not available in the market due to COVID 19 restrictions.
51% have mentioned lack of access to debt from the market as the markets are closed and there is communication that not to handle currency notesdue to COVID 19 and the restriction of movements  ( it is more with the men, where 60% have mentioned this problem whereas only 39% of women have mentioned this as an issue )
Acceptance of a woman running for president of Afghanistan   Strongly agree: 60%; somewhat agree: 13%; somewhat disagree: 4%; strongly disagree: 22%
94% of respondents report frequent handwashing as a precautionary measure used. 86% report using soap and other detergents for cleaning surfaces. 83% report using a facemask. 82% report social distancing. 77% report using hand sanitizer. 66% report wearing gloves. 64% report self isolation. And 27% report using other personal protection such as gowns, face shields, etc.
Acceptance of a woman as a minister or cabinet member   Strongly agree: 70%; somewhat agree: 14%; somewhat disagree: 4%; strongly disagree: 12%
Pessimism that peace is achievable in the next two years increases with education. 59% of respondents with no formal education think it is achievable whereas 49% of those with 10 12+ years of education think it is
Are you aware of employment being provided in your local area to aid households during this time  ( % yes ) ? Aware of aid : 10%; among those aware of aid, household access: 22%; Sufficient for needs: 59%
Are you aware of food being provided in your local area to aid households during this time  ( % yes ) ? Aware of aid : 33%; among those aware of aid, household access: 29%; Sufficient for needs: 44%
48% of respondents are very concerned about the impact of COVID 19 on personal health
Women are more likey to report confirmed diagnosis  ( 25% vs 21% )
With some government restrictions liftin following COVID 19, are you worried about travelling outside of local area to visit family, access healthcare, purchase goods, etc.? Not worried at all: 22%; somewhat worried: 19%; worried: 17%; very worried: 41%
80% of respondents say the overall cost of medication is worse since the start of the pandemic. 12% say it is the same and 6% say it is better.
77% of respondents say the overall affordability of goods in market are worse since the start of the pandemic. 13% say they are the same and 9% say they are better.
Special assistance gaps as of 31 August 2020: Lack of unconditional cash assistance to most vulnerable population of the community; Need for special assistance programmes, particularly livelihood support for vulnerable women to promote self reliance
Special assistance achievements as of 31 August 2020: 10,716 vulnerable Persons with Specific Needs  ( PSN )  assisted with Cash for protection, self reliance, medication and provision of food items. This includes individuals with acute vulnerabilities, female headed households, individuals with disabilities, unaccompanied children, persons displaced in emergencies and members of the host communities
Community development gaps as of 31 August 2020: Insufficient community centres, especially for women; Lack of transport facilities to market places; Inadequate sports facilities
75% of respondents say their overall employment opportunities are worse since the start of the pandemic. 13% say they are the same and 12% say they are better.
Livelihood gaps as of 31 August 2020: Lack of market based investment for employment promotion and business development in productive/economic value chains e.g. horticulture, animal husbandry, dried nuts/fruits, honey bee keeping etc.; Limited technical and vocation training centres
Community development achievements as of 31 August 2020: 32 psycho social counselling sessions organized
Community development achievements as of 31 August 2020: 2,823 male and 3,849 female youth communities organized and sensitized on rights and obligations
Community development achievements as of 31 August 2020: equipment for 1 local women gym provided
Infrastructure gaps as of 31 August 2020: Lack of secondary, tertiary road networks; Lack of proper drainages and culverts; Inadequate irrigation canals and channels for increasing agriculture productivity and increasing access to water; Insufficient flood protection walls
Infrastructure achievements as of 31 August 2020: 10.2 Km main roads constructed and rehabilitated through cash for work; 2 irrigation canals rehabilitated; 2 flood protection walls constructed; 58 culverts constructed/rehabilitated; 4 small bridges constructed
Energy gaps as of 31 August 2020: Lack of access to electricity is one of the key constraints; Insufficient use of renewable energy for the lack of resources to improve living conditions
Energy achievements as of 31 August 2020: One micro hydro dam project benefitting 250 households; 203 solar panels installed which improved access to electricity; 280 street poles with solar lights
Shelter achievements as of 31 August 2020: 161 permanent shelters  ( two rooms, a corridor and a latrine )  constructed; 980 households benefitted from cash for shelter programme
COVID 19 achievements as of 31 August 2020: 283,300 people benefitted from provision of face masks, hygiene and sanitary kits etc.; Awareness raising sessions benefitted 1.2 million persons
Health achievements as of 31 August 2020: 4 clinics constructed and equipped with solar panels, electricity and lighting; 12 RHUs  [ Refugee Housing Units ]  to expand clinic space; 3 health and hygiene trainings; One ambulance provided to the main city hospital
Amidst soaring unemployment, lack of formal livelihoods and limited private sector opportunities, many households depend upon daily wage labour, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors, to meet their needs to increase self reliance and build human capital, with particular focus on women and girls, the portfolio of projects in the PARRs  [ Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration ]  prioritizes vocational training and entrepreneurship.
The proposed projects would improve access to and quality of health care in the PARRs  [ Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration ]  through construction of health clinics and enhancement of existing health facilities, with a focus on women and rural populations.
47% of respondents mentioned mass media as sources of health information, which includes Radio, Television as the information providers. Women  ( 48% )  rate these sources higher than men  ( 45% )
Insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure and equipment, ongoing conflict, and recurrent outbreaks of communicable diseases paint a grim reality: one third of the Afghan population does not have access to basic health services within a two hour travel radius.
The Priority Areas for of Return and Reintegration are a key a component of UNHCR's work to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with strengthening essential facilities and services in communities where Afghan refugees are returning to.
Shelter remains one of the most pressing needs of returnees and IDPs in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Based on the findings of the assessment, a number of interventions can be designed to provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable and poor families, including a short term solutions such as distributing food packages and long term sustainability oriented interventions such as provision of inclusive livelihood.
Insufficient schools and low quality instruction   with fewer than 50 per cent of teachers having minimum academic qualifications   are key impediments. Many returnee children and youth who have obtained education in the host countries are unable to continue schooling upon return due to the unavailability of schools.
On 1 April, 299 internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  received humanitarian assistance in Zaranj, Nimroz province and 601 IDPs were identified by interagency assessment teams to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Kandahar and Hilmand provinces.
( 02   08 April 2021 ) In 2021, 148,068 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit in Nimroz, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response.
( 26 March   01 April 2021 ) IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,636  ( 7% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.
Recognising the multiple, overlapping challenges facing the people of Afghanistan as spring approaches – including low rainfall , intensifying conflict, and ongoing COVID 19 challenges – the ICCT conducted a multi sectoral analysis of likely needs across highly impacted provinces and has published a Spring Disaster Contingency Plan identifying the most urgent needs from March June, with $390 million required for response.
The majority of beneficiaries  ( up to 60% )  also reported lack of access to hygiene items especially related to COVID 19 prevention such as disinfectants, face masks, gloves etc.
% of sites by COVID 19 vulnerability score  ( by region ) : South East   Higher risk: 1%, moderate risk: 58%
% of sites by COVID 19 vulnerability score  ( by region ) : East   Higher risk: 4%, moderate risk: 58%
% of sites in which KIs reported the majority of households occupy inadequate shelter, by region: South East 7%
% of sites in which KIs reported most households have no access to services, by region: West   76%
% of sites in which KIs reported most households have no access to services, by region: South   67%
% of sites in which KIs reported most households have no access to services, by region: Capital   73%
Up to 80% of beneficiaries reported that their source of income has negatively been affected by the global outbreak. Due to restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent virus dissemination, the majority lost their jobs, loans increased and agriculture activities and demand to products decreased.
The assessment focused on identifying the immediate needs that beneficiaries have in terms of food security, health, protection etc. The other important critical needs identified by the respondents were education opportunities for children  ( 42% )  as well as livelihoods support for the families during the pandemic  ( 24% )
Respondents were also asked whether they have time, resource and space to support their children in homeschooling to better understand the reasons of not being able to provide homeschooling for children. Subsequently, respondents were asked to specify what particular reason limits them in terms of providing homeschooling for the children; the most frequent reason named was illiteracy of the parents, followed by a lack of education materials and resources.
The survey explored whether the households' experienced any cases of health issues as well as symptoms/ cases of COVID 19. In terms of COVID 19 confirmed cases 2.9% reported that there has been such cases in their families and 27% reported symptoms of the virus without any confirmation.
The recent United Nations  ( UN )  policy brief on the impact of COVID 19 on children stated that, while children are not the face of this pandemic, they will not be unaffected. This assessment provides evidence that children remain the most vulnerable among the different strata of population. Families are facing heightened stress under lockdown with majority experiencing financial insecurity, which in turn affects wellbeing of children.
The assessment findings show that beneficiaries are applying extreme coping measures to deal with reduced income. Almost half of respondents reported that they are sending children to work to support family to meet basic needs, followed by engaging in a high risk jobs, begging and engaging in illegal activities. Those measures are devastating and need immediate follow up and assistance to ensure well being of children and reduced child labor.
Survey respondents were also asked whether they are able to provide basic needs to their children such as food, shelter and medical care; to which 21% of the respondents reported that they are never able to provide the basic needs to their children, this is specifically critical for Ghor province  ( Herat   8%, Badghis – 17% and Ghor – 61% ) .
Households were asked about the coping strategies in case there was a food shortage experienced in the household since the outbreak. The most frequent coping strategies undertaken by the households has been reported to be relying on less preferred or less expensive food  ( 90.2% )  followed by borrowing food  ( 51.3% )  as well as reducing portion size of the meal  ( 38.4% ) . Reducing number of meals per day was reported by 35.9% of the households.
Within the assessment, respondents were asked whether they owned a livestock and if yes how they were dealing with it. Out of surveyed households, 35.7% reported that livestock is one of their sources of income. Subsequently, respondents were asked whether there has been any negative effect on their product sell in the market; 40.4% reported that their direct sell to the local market has been negatively affected and 8% mentioned that their sells to the other markets  ( beyond local )  is also negatively affected as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak.
In order to measure respondent's perception about the changes of their income imposed by the virus, they were asked whether there has been negative effects on ability of the households to earn income during the COVID 19 outbreak. The findings show that only 12.2% of the respondents reported that there hasn't been negative effects, while 38.9% reported that their ability to earn income has been fully and negatively affected. Remaining households also reported moderate and slight changes in their ability to earn income.
In order to identify the level of restriction on movement and gatherings introduced by the government in different areas, respondents were asked to indicate whether their location has been in lockdown. The findings show that 53% of the households reported that in their respective areas there was no restriction introduced and it was normal, while 32% have indicated partial lockdown and 12.5% reported full lockdown. Only 1.7% reported that there is still curfew in their communities.
% of households by reported preventative measure to COVID 19 they are aware of: Washing hands 93%, Social distancing 70%, Self isolation 52%, Gloves and masks 50%, Avoid crowds 31%
% of households by access to hand washing facilities and/or soap: 30% No hand washing facilities available, 82% No access to soap or hand sanitizer
( 29 March – 4 April 2021 ) Among 1,008 children under five screened, 12 children suffered from severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  and 38 children suffered from moderate acute malnutrition  ( MAM ) .
( 19 25 February 2021 )  IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,063  ( 5% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.
( 26 February   04 March 2021 ) Under the Global Fund multi country TB grant in partnership with UNDP, a total of 10,290 undocumented Afghans were screened for tuberculosis at the Zero Point Reception Centres in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar. Of the total screened, 368 presumptive TB cases were identified and 3 persons were confirmed positive for TB.
( 05 11 March 2021 ) IOM's Protection programme has supported 672 undocumented returnee households comprising at least one person with specific needs  ( PSN )  in 2021 through provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referral pathways are exhausted.
Participants reported additional risks when carrying their cash home after a distribution, such as robberies and increased security risks during the night time. Notably, female participants highlighted specific risks when traveling to remote distribution points, such as sexual harassment, further exacerbated by the inability of their young marham to protect them in most cases.
( 05 11 March 2021 ) In 2021, 120,852 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit in Nimroz, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response. Programming is supported by the UK's FCDO, DG ECHO, CERF, and the United States' Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration  ( BPRM ) .
( 12 18 March 2021 )  Under the Global Fund multi country TB grant in partnership with UNDP, a total of 9,361 undocumented Afghans were screened for tuberculosis at the Zero Point Reception Centres in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar. Of the total screened, 307 presumptive TB cases were identified and 7 persons were confirmed positive for TB.
( 05 11 March 2021 ) Since 01 January 2021, the total number of undocumented returnees from Iran is 189,430 individuals. IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,431  ( 5% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.
( 12 18 March 2021 )  IOM's Protection programme has supported 778 undocumented returnee households comprising at least one person with specific needs  ( PSN )  in 2021 through provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referral pathways are exhausted.
( 12 18 March 2021 )  Since 01 January 2021, the total number of undocumented returnees from Iran is 221,659 individuals. IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,640  ( 5% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.
( June 18,2020 )  Decades of conflict and violence have resulted in repeated waves of displacement.
Acceptable places for women to work   A private company with male and female employees   Strongly agree: 46%; somewhat agree: 20%; somewhat disagree: 7%; strongly disagree: 25%
73% of the interviewed returnees/deportees stated that have no education,  ( 77% female and 71% male ) . 9 % stated that they have minimal education  ( up to grade 6 ) , 6% up to grade 9, 7% up to grade 12, 3% went to madrasa, and close to 2% went to university.
5% do not return to their areas of origin due to lack of livelihood opportunities, reunification with family/relatives, lack of housing/shelter, and perceived insecurity.
67% of interviewed returnees stated that they received information about COVID 19 upon arrival in Afghanistan.
The majority of interviewed deportees  ( 96.7% )  cited lack of documentation and irregular entry to Country of Prior Residence  ( CoPR )  as the reasons provided to them for their deportation.
Reasons for Return to Afghanistan from Iran: 42.7% of the interviewed returnees stated that they returned to Afghanistan to reunite with family members, 15.0% due to fear of COVID 19, 19.1% due to lack of employment opportunities and 3.6% due to denied access to health facilities.
Close to 2% of interviewed deportees  ( 259 respondents, including 169 single individuals and 90 family cases )  stated that they were arrested and deported following their attempt to leave Iran and move onward to a third country in the absence of proper documentation.
Reasons for Return to Afghanistan from Pakistan: 44.3% of the interviewed returnees stated that they returned to Afghanistan to reunite with family members, 7.5% due to fear of COVID 19, 9.4% due to lack of employment opportunities and 10.9% due to denied access to health facilities.
Reason for entry to Country of Prior Residence  ( CoPR ) : 39% went to Pakistan for medical treatment, 22% to visit family/relatives, 12% in search of livelihoods opportunities, 8% due to conflict, 4% for business purpose, 1% due to drought, and 14% cited other reasons.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN  ( HRP )  REQUIREMENTS & FUNDING  1.13B Requirements  ( US$ )  – HRP 2020 554.4M and 49% funded  ( US$ )  in 2020.
Interagency assessment teams identified 3,579 people to receive immediate humanitarian assistance in the east. A total of 17,479 people received humanitarian assistance IDPs, undocumented returnees, people who have been impacted by heavy rainfall and people who receive food as part of a seasonal support programme. A total of 7,720 returnees, IDPs and people from host communities were reached with emergency outpatient health services and 7,956 children were vaccinated to protect them against polio and measles.
Humanitarian assistance reached approximately 9,891 people affected by conflict in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces. Assessment teams identified 6,104 people displaced by conflict in Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days. In Kunduz province, 42 people affected by heavy snowfall were identified to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days. Humanitarians began distributing winter items to people in need in Badakhshan, Takhar, and Kunduz provinces.
On 24 December, interagency assessment teams identified 75 Internally Displaced Persons  ( IDPs )  to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Zaranj district, Nimroz province.
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 10,278; IDPs: 124,107
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 88,064; IDPs: 135,910
Novel CoronaVirus Disease  ( COVID 19 )  phenomena has led to a massive public reaction and the media has been reporting continuously across borders to keep all informed about the pandemic situation. All this has created a lot of concern for people leading to heightened level of anxiety.
The proportion of food insecure people is expected to increase by 3% to 2.72 million in the projection period, as the economic impacts of COVID 19 lockdown measured are expected to outweigh the positive impacts of the harvest season.
The most vulnerable groups will be particularly as risk. These groups includes daily wage laborers  ( especially non agriculture labor in urban areas ) , IDPs and returnees, people relying on remittances, service sector workers and small traders. In total, around 34% of the analysed population relies on income sources that are most vulnerable to the economic shocks caused by the lockdowns.
Households are facing an increasing stress on their financial access due to largescale unemployment, which is expected to worsen as COVID 19 lockdowns measures continue.
The lockdown measures put in place in response to the COVID 19 pandemic significantly decreased daily labor opportunities, reducing household purchasing power and food access.
Guidelines have been shared with schools and families to support students self learning at home. The ministry and development partners developed a series of educational videos that students access through the ministry's website  ( http://maarif.af/ )  and on YouTube.
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 13,719; IDPs: 60,557
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 48,040; IDPs: 26,653
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 25,230; IDPs: 93,016
The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 24,446; IDPs: 258,411
Annual trends of IDP arrivals   2012 2015: 511,631; 2016: 954,459; 2017: 991,816; 2018: 1,089,896; 2019: 751,499
Highlights from Jan June 2020 Baseline Mobility Assessment: 1,213,620 displaced by natural disaster  ( 25% )
Annual trends of returnees from Europe & Turkey   2020: 311,303
Overall annual trends of returnees from aborad   2020: 311,303
Returned IDPs are Afghans who have returned to their home or place of origin in the assessed location or settlement from which they had fled as IDPs in the past, as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, protection concerns, or natural and humanmade disasters
Fled IDPs are Afghans who have fled from an assessed location or settlement within which they previously resided and now currently reside in a different settlement in Afghanistan, as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, protection concerns, or natural and human made disasters.
Highlights from Jan June 2020 Baseline Mobility Assessment: 3,881,903 returnees from abroad  ( 2012 2020 )
among IDPs and returnees, it is women who are bearing its brunt  [ of finding water ] . As many as 40 per cent of female IDPs, and 45 per cent of female returnees, noted increases in the time spent on water and firewood collection since the outbreak of COVID 19.
Although in the case of host communities, men have predominantly taken on the added burden incurred  [ of finding water ] ,
COVID 19 continues to threaten the country with new variants emerging globally. The COVID 19 vaccination campaign will take place in 2021. But this rollout will likely divert health workforce away from scaling up different kinds of emergency response in other areas. Sufficient supplied to cover any additional new drought IDPs in the national vaccination campaign are not guaranteed.
Acceptable places for women to work   female only schools   Strongly agree: 92%; somewhat agree: 6%; somewhat disagree: 1%; strongly disagree: 1%
Acceptable places for women to work   Hospitals or clinics   Strongly agree: 92%; somewhat agree: 6%; somewhat disagree: 1%; strongly disagree: 1%
It should also be highlighted that more male IDPs noted that they did not typically spend time teaching their children. The same held true for returnees.
Among women and men whom have been able to attain medical attention, most reported longer waiting times at clinics and lack of access to necessary medical services, medical supplies, hygiene products and food
Social protection mechanisms such as providing cash packets and in kind social assistance can be used to protect poor and vulnerable groups in order to reduce the economic strain.
Inability to access safe and clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene will deepen vulnerabilities, especially during the highest risk period for Acute Watery Diarrhoea  ( AWD )    April to May each year, contributing to excess morbidity and mortality among children. This is further exacerbated by the flood season where the spread of communicable diseases such as AWD is higher.
During the reporting period, 6,650 people received humanitarian assistance   among them are 3,759 newly displaced people, 42 undocumented returnees and 2,849 vulnerable people in host communities.
The World Bank also approved two grants totalling to USD 85 million for Afghanistan. The two grants aims to  ( 1 )  improve access to and quality of water supply in Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat and strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation to deliver sustainable services and contribute to national efforts to manage COVID 19 and other disasters; and  ( 2 )  improve the delivery of core infrastructure, emergency support, and social services to communities through strengthened Community Development Councils.
School closures, for example, make young girls more vulnerable to abuse. For young girls, including those who are internally displaced, schools can be a safe space where the watchful eyes of teachers and other adults can spot signs of abuse.
Young women and girls already face underlying gender and age related barriers that make it harder for them to access essential services, information, support, and safety. These vulnerabilities will be exacerbated by COVID 19.
The government also failed to spread awareness about the pandemic and enforce lockdown orders.
The Afghan government is distancing itself from claims that there is a coronavirus vaccine or cure in Afghanistan. On May 31, the Afghan Ministry of Health warned against taking homemade medicine for coronavirus.
In Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, hundreds of people crowd in front of a private clinic and try to push their way toward the entrance. Many of them are infected with COVID 19 and are wearing masks. They are looking for a coronavirus miracle cure produced by a self proclaimed "healer."
During the past week a total of 17,772 patients were served by IOM's 7 mobile health teams, inclusive of 3,142 outpatient consultations, health education sessions for 14,630 persons and psychosocial counselling sessions for 607 patients. Under the Global Fund multi country TB grant in partnership with UNDP, a total of 10,954 undocumented Afghans were screened for tuberculosis at the Zero Point Reception Centres of Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar. Of the total screened, 235 presumptive TB cases were identified. Samples from the presumptive cases were lab tested through GeneXpert and normal microscopy in coordination with the National TB Control Programme, and 1 person was confirmed positive for TB.
Overall, men and women face challenges and risks when traveling to the designated distribution point due to long distances and potential AOG actors alongside the roads – risks that are increasing when carrying their cash home following a distribution. Specifically, risks were reported to be more prominent during the nighttime, with notable risks of harassment – including sexual harassment – for women who lack protection when travelling with a young marham.