nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
During May, UNHCR provided a one time emergency cash grant to all refugees not receiving MPCG through cash over the counter modality to mitigate loss of income due to COVID 19 preventive measures except for refugees residing in Saeyda Zainab who were under complete lockdown where WFP assisted all refugees with food baskets end of May following coordination and service level agreement with UNHCR. A total of 1,155 individuals/ 511 families out of 642 families collected the one time blanket cash grant.
In Syria, in line with the less restrictive measures being gradually introduced by government authorities, community centres were authorized to re open at 30 per cent capacity, with strict guidelines in place to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID 19.
There was a 69% decrease in nutrition activities in Al Hasakeh governorate and a 48% decrease in Ar Raqqa city
Northeast: Cases of Coronavirus in northeast Syria continue to rise steadily, with deaths also beginning to increase. To date, 400 cases and 62 deaths have been reported, with 175 infections and 48 deaths reported in the last week alone.
Despite the real caseload estimated to be at least 85,000 cases as of early August, the Ministry of Health continues to release its own figures which are then repeated by the WHO.
The pandemic is also forcing most children to look after younger siblings, taking on adult responsibilities that are denying them of their childhood. When asked how they were spending their time, the highest number of children, at 42 per cent, said they were looking after their brothers and sisters. With many displaced families living in one room homes, caravans or tents, this is leading to even further stress for many children.
Lodi said. “We need more donors to commit to longer term funding for mental health support and further research so that we can reach more children forced to flee from conflict and help them cope with the new stress caused by the pandemic.'
Displaced children in the Middle East are reporting an alarming rise in stress levels triggered by fear of Covid 19, with an average increase of 45 per cent since the pandemic started.
“The research we're presenting today shows how children who have already been through extremely distressing episodes, fleeing war and persecution and seeing relatives killed, are now going through another traumatic episode that, unless tackled, can lead to serious long term mental and physical illnesses,' said NRC's Regional Psychosocial Support Adviser Camilla Lodi.
NFI response increased this month by 37% with approximately 49,600 individuals reached in May and 68,200 reached in June.
Overall in June, education activities resumed with the lifting of COVID 19 restrictions and due to this education modality shifted away from distance learning activities.
Treatment courses have increased from May to June by 63% with approximately 18,400 to 30,100 individuals reached.
Al Hasakeh governorate had a 45% increase from May to June with approximately 8,400 to 12,100 individuals reached.
In NES, medical procedures had an increase of 58% in June, from approximately 182,000 to 313,700 individuals reached.
Ar Raqqa saw the largest increase in individuals reached with approximately 29,200 to 87,100 individuals in June.
The largest increase reported was in Deir ez Zor governorate along the West line with a 273% increase from approximately 4,300 individuals reached in May to 16,200 reached in June.
Inevitably, coronavirus measures have had a major economic impact on the war torn country. Thecost of living in Syriahas increased by more than 100% year on year.
As part of its COVID 19 response, UNHCR has provided protective equipment to hospitals and health clinics, distributed medication to refugees and built quarantine areas in Rural Damascus.
[ May 2021, NES ]  97% of CFPs from Deir ez Zor reported that members would seek care for the Covid 19 like symptoms  ( vs. 78% in AH, 68% in Al, 75% in AR ) .
Shelter needs of around 96,187 people were addressed with activities like provision of emergency shelter  ( 72,393 people )  or shelter rehabilitation and repair  ( 23,794 people )  during July.
Tunisia's representative said the exponential rise in COVID 19 cases and expansion of deep poverty underscores the urgent need to address the drivers of instability. Ending hostilities and restoring calm throughout Syria is both an urgent prerequisite and a long term goal to cope with the humanitarian crisis.
There are particular concerns around under testing in areas such as Raqqa and Kobane where a combination of weak lockdown measures, limited RRT and contact tracing capacity as well as a high number of anecdotal reports of suspect cases indicates a high likelihood of undetected cases.
Hassakeh: The first cases of COVID 19 in NES since April were confirmed in Qamishli city and Hassakeh city on the 23 July. Amongst these first cases, at least one  ( a cancer patient )  had recently passed through multiple health facilities, including a cancer centre supporting patients who had recently returned from cancer treatment in Damascus. Since then, clusters of confirmed cases have been reported at HNH, HMH and Al Hikma hospitals, with concerns that health workers continue to be a key driver of COVID 19 transmission.
COVID 19 cases are on the rise in all areas of Syria, especially in government held governorates. Last week, Syria in Context reported that thegovernment's figures vastly understate the scale of the outbreak and estimated that there are likely at least 85,000 cases in Damascus alone.
In the absence of state capacity and transparent communication, public skepticism and discontent towards the government has grown, while locals and local authorities have taken measures into their own hands, organizing their own response measures and even burials.
Official figures continue to lag far behind reality–– with 1,445 confirmed COVID 19 cases in Syria as of August 10. Of these, 1,255 were recorded in government controlled areas, including 52 deaths and 364 recoveries, while 839 cases remain active. The northwest has conducted 4,087 Coronavirus tests, 46 of which have returned positive. In northeast Syria there are 144 cases so far, representing rapid spread in the region  ( here too it is believed that the true caseload outpaces official figures ) .
Almost 400 cases were registered in government held areas of Syria last week. According to the Ministry of Health, there are 1,327 registered cases, of which 53 people died and 364 recovered; that leaves 839 cases active. Registered confirmed cases have recently increased from 19 23 cases every other day, to 50 70 cases per day without any acknowledged increase in testing capacity, suggesting that even with the limited government testing program, a greater proportion of tests are returning positive. 67 cases were registered on Monday across ten governorates, followed by another 72 on Tuesdays.
Despite the apparent rapid spread of the virus, the government and international response remain inadequate. During April and May, the UN's COVID 19 response inside Syria built just four of 14 planned labs, reaching just 9% of their testing target. Just 0.1% of the planned PPE for humanitarian workers, including health workers, was distributed during this period. More recent figures are not available.
There is a significant lack of PPE among medical personnel, asSyria in Contextreported last week. Indeed, front line medical workers and key civil servants have been heavily affected.
Last week, doctors reported that 30 of their colleagues had died from COVID 19. Syria can ill afford a further loss of professionals in the medical sector, which had already suffered heavily throughout the war, which killed or displaced half of all doctors across the country.
Health facilities are accordingly overwhelmed with cases. In a voice note circulating via WhatsApp, an Aleppo doctor at a local hospital describes “people are lying on the floor, others are running around, everyone's face is yellow; they drop on the floor and then are carried away hastily … the country is fucked.'
He went on to describe how the hospitals are overwhelmed and they have no oxygen for those who need it. “There are no injections, no pills, no medicine, nothing to relieve the patient from this illness!' One Syrian tweeted that a physician friend of hers in Damascus saw “400 patients who all were infected with Corona' in 48 hours. “The situation is explosive, tragic, and horrifying, and no one can do anything.'
Last month, the Syrian government authorized several medical centers to carry out PCR tests and provide negative result certificates to those who are wishing to leave the country at a cost of $100. In the past week, photos circulated online showing dozens of people queuing inside and outside those centers with no social distancing enforced. Locals quipped that the tests come with a “free case of Covid'.
Over three million Syrian students went back to school on Sunday in spite of public appeals, even from other Syrian officials, for the Ministry of Education to delay the school year. Photos of the minister in schools with impeccable preventative measures on the first day were juxtaposed on social media with hundreds of others from schools where students were crammed together and where there was no running water.
The majority of the cases are in north Aleppo––156 versus Idlib's 85––with 104 of these in Al Bab alone. Idlib city and Dana sub districts are the next worst affected, with Azaz, Jarabalus, and Ghandorah close behind. Three people have so far died and 103 have recovered, including Dr. Adnan Jasem from Al Bab hospital.
The local authorities blame a lack of social distancing, while others blame smuggling from government held areas. It is likely both are to blame, along with a health system decimated by years of conflict. Two new labs have been set up, one in Idlib and one in Afrin, in order to increase the vulnerable region's testing capacity.
In spite of the continuing spike in the number of infections, the AANES decided to reopen wedding and funeral venues and houses of worship and allow other gatherings. The region's testing capacity is still very limited.
COVID 19 cases are on the rise in all areas of Syria, with the latest statistics out of the northwest painting a worrying picture. Official figures continue to lag far behind reality–– with 4,945 confirmed COVID 19 cases in Syria as of September 15. Of these, 3,614 were recorded in government controlled areas, including 160 deaths and 871 recoveries, while 2,583 cases remain active.
The northwest has conducted 7,776 Coronavirus tests, 422 of which have returned positive. In northeast Syria there are 909 cases so far, indicating community spread across the region  ( low testing rates suggest the true caseload outpaces official figures ) .Syria in Contextbelieves that thegovernment's figures vastly understate the scale of the outbreakand that “only 1.25% of deaths  ( sensitivity range 1% 3% )  due to COVID 19 are reported in Damascus.'
here have reportedly also been cases in the ranks of the Turkish backed Syrian National Army as well as HTS with local disputes growing about the source of the outbreak.
In total, 909 cases have been registered in northeastern Syria, of whom 47 died and 296 recovered. Local reports on September 14 said that over 100 healthcare workers have gotten sick so far.
Reopening schools is likely to raise infection rates, as children interact in close proximity and, while they do not often experience serious health implications themselves, can pass the virus onto teachers or families at home. It is likely a spike in the virus spread will follow this decision.
Nevertheless, the Syrian government continues to say that the COVID 19 outbreak in its territories is slowing down. After registering 60 cases on September 11, the daily number of infections announced by the Ministry of Health dropped on September 12, 13, and 14, to 30, 34, and 36, respectively. These figures are false and do not represent the real scale of the outbreak.
Overall, shelter response increased in NES by 50% between May and June, from approximately 11,100 individuals to 16,700 individuals reached.
A sudden spike in cases in the northwest, with 155 of the area's 422 cases being recorded in 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday this week, suggests the virus could be spreading out of control across the vulnerable opposition held territories.
The COVID 19 tests carried out on September 14 returned with an alarming 50% positive cases, with 80 of 160 tests positive. On Tuesday 15, 75 of 280 tests were positive, a 27% positive rate. A high positivity rate means it's likely that the tests are not picking up all of the cases, with around 5% positivity being a threshold for a country being on top of an outbreak according to experts.
As of September 15, Lebanon has recorded 25,401 COVID 19 cases, with 246 deaths and 8,765 recoveries. In Turkey, there are 292,878 cases recorded, leading to 7,119 deaths and 260,058 recoveries. In Iran, 407,353 cases of COVID 19 have been recorded, with 23,453 deaths and 349,984 recoveries. Iraq has 294,478 cases, of whom 8,086 died and 229,132 recovered. In Jordan, there have been 3,528 cases of COVID 19, with 26 deaths and 2,255 recoveries. The first cases were reported in Al Azrak camp in Jordan on September 8, with two cases leading to an intensive intervention to ensure the virus does not spread within the camp.
In June, 6 NES protection NGOS provided child protection response. In Al Hasakeh governorate and Ar Raqqa city activities included awareness raising on child protection issues, parenting programming, and training on case management.
This month in Al Hasakeh governorate, 1 additional NES partner NGO reported with increases in provisions for seasonal NFIs and fuel for heating. Additionally, the distribution of cooking fuel started in Areesheh Camp in June.
Additionally, 2 NES protection NGOs provided mine action response through victim assistance and mine education awareness in Al Hasakeh governorate and Ar Raqqa city.
Additionally, there was a small decrease in shelter response in Ar Raqqa city from approximately 8,600 individuals in May to 8,300 individuals in June.
Lastly, 3 partners reported providing gender based violence trainings and counseling in Al Hasakeh governorate, Deir ez Zor governorate along the West line, and Ar Raqqa city.
CCCM activities have maintained throughout June covering 115,575 individuals /27,745 households within 5 planned camps and 4 informal sites.
In June, NES shelter partners provided emergency shelter kits and assisted with the rehabilitation of collective centers and damaged houses as COVID 19 restrictions lifted.
The Iranian medical assistance, which came within the framework of the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries, includes detection supplies and temperature measuring and oxygenation devices.
“There are critical gaps and issues that must be addressed, including the urgent need to drastically improve living conditions and reduce overcrowding at the reception facilities on the Aegean Islands, as well as ensuring the full inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the COVID 19 response,' they said.
They said they consulted with refugees, including refugee women survivors of sexual and gender based violence and unaccompanied children, in need of safe homes or reunification with family members abroad.
"Northeast Syria has been cut off from an indispensable lifeline at a time when the global COVID 19 pandemic demands the deployment of all available resources. The IRC calls on the Security Council to urgently adopt a resolution reauthorizing the use of Yaroubiya as a critical cross border aid delivery mechanism necessary to stop the COVID 19 pandemic from running rampant across the country.
Al Hol camp, the largest in northeast Syria   with a population density of 35,714 per square kilometer, over three times that of New York City   is especially badly affected. IRC clinics have seen double the number of patients this month due to increasing pressure on other facilities where there are PPE shortages or a reduction in health staff who have had to self isolate as a precaution.
13,246 individuals/2,474 households were reached with mobile CCCM services, and 102,329 individuals/25,271 households were reached with static CCCM services.
a 105% increase in Ar Raqqa city was a result of COVID 19 activities such as awareness raising campaigns and face mask production.
Al Hasakeh governorate reported a 360% increase in individuals reached.
In NES, FSL food assistance activities reported an increase from approximately 131,000 to 204,900 individuals from May to June.
In NES, nutrition activities continued to decrease, with approximately 17,000 individuals reached in May and 6,800 in June.
Ar Raqqa city reported a large increase of individuals reached with approximately 1,400 in May to 21,100 in June due to the distribution of COVID 19 hygiene kits.
in Menbij district there was an increase in SO1 activities by 75% from May to June due to the installation of solid waste management facilities from one partner.
In NES, cash activities reported an increase of 237% and an increase of 1 NES NGO reporting in June. This increase occurred in Ar Raqqa city and Deir ez Zor governorate along the West line reaching approximately 8,800 individuals due to COVID 19 related planned activity.
The largest increase was reported in Al Hasakeh governorate from approximately 35,000 individuals reached in May to 51,600 reached in June.
“The challenges they face have been compounded by a severe economic downturn and the coronavirus pandemic,' the High Commissioner added. “UNHCR is committed to continuing its work to provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need.'
759,006 people were reached in 2020 with rehabilitation of infrastructure  ( 197,665 people ) ; provision of emergency shelter  ( 431,178 people ) ; shelter rehabilitation and transitional shelters  ( 99,801 people ) ; seasonal assistance  ( 30,363 people ) .
“The most pressing need is to respond and do more to combat the virus, including expanding the support to quarantine centers, enhancing testing capability and providing protective equipment to frontline and healthcare workers at public and university hospitals and UNHCR funded community centers,' Grandi said.
The High Commissioner visited Dweir quarantine center where UNHCR and humanitarian actors have improved hygiene facilities, repaired patient rooms, provided equipment such as beds, mattresses and sheets and expanded capacity to accommodate up to 3,000 individuals.
Grandi also visited Eastern Ghouta in Rural Damascus. Urgent humanitarian needs persist there with limited access to potable water, scarce or unreliable electricity supplies, limited access to health care and soaring prices of basic necessities such as food, fuel and medicine.
UNICEF provided around 40 students coming from hard to reach areas to sit for their Grade 12 exams in Deir ez Zor with support including remedial classes to prepare for the exams, bursaries to help cover transportation costs and the provision of stationery and learning materials.
UNICEF also prepared two accommodation centres in the governorate through the rehabilitation of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, provision of safe drinking water, installation of windows and doors, maintenance of electricity and disinfection of the premises, ensuring their suitability amid COVID 19 challenges.
Following intense advocacy, technical teams from the Al Hasakeh Directorate of Water reached Alouk water station on 25 August where they carried out essential repairs to five boreholes. This followed the resumption of power from Tishrin Dam to Mabrouka and Derbasieh electricity stations on 22 August, af  ter which nine out of 34 boreholes at Alouk water station also started producing water.
In response, WASH sector partners have increased water trucking from 300m3 per day to 1300m3 per day with an estimated 2,500m3 of water now being delivered to 250,000 people each day.
Six cross line missions to repair, maintain and rotate the technical team were undertaken between October and November 2019.
Since December 2019, access to the station has been coordinated between the relevant parties and access for humanitarian actors frequently denied; facilitation for technical experts has continued but been limited in timeframe and scope.
The World Health Organization  ( WHO )  and other organizations with a health mandate should publicly insist on expanding testing capacities and transparent and accurate reporting on numbers of Covid 19 cases and equitable distribution of sufficient personal protective equipment to health workers throughout the country, including rural areas, Human Rights Watch said.
major hospitals that are prepared to deal with Covid 19 cases, such as al Assad University Hospital, have exceeded their capacity, and other hospitals do not have the necessary infrastructure, citing a lack of availability of oxygen canisters, ventilators, and beds. Front line workers said they do not have the necessary protective equipment, training, or protocols to treat complications from Covid 19.
As of August 21, WHO has provided the Syrian government with4.4 millionitems of PPE, including medical and respirator masks, gloves, gowns, shoe covers, and alcohol hand rubs.
Cham Wings Airlines has run a flight on Saturday from the Libyan city of Benghazi airport to Damascus International Airport to repatriates about 146 Syrians who were stranded abroad in light of coronavirus pandemic.
The protracted crisis in Syria has had a devastating impact on its population, leaving over 11 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Some 6.5 million Syrians regularly go hungry, as they face limited livelihood opportunities and an increased cost of living. These families do not know where their next meal is coming from and rely on aid to survive.
The Cluster updated its English and Arabic guidance on COVID 19 with a new recommendation to include cloth  masks in NFI kits to mitigate the risk of COVID 19 transmission in line with WHO recommendations.
August 27,2020   As COVID 19 cases rise by 1000% across northeast Syria in August, the IRC calls on the UN Security Council to urgently reopen the Yaroubiya aid crossing point to stem the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic and to ensure humanitarian and health workers have unfettered access to tens of thousands of vulnerable Syrians.
The Syrian government began travel restrictions last March as part of the measures to confront the coronavirus, when it decided to suspend travel and trips with neighboring countries, especially the countries that were hit hard by the virus.
Beyond the alarming growth in reported positive cases, concerns about testing make the situation in northeast Syria doubly concerning. Latest available data for northeast Syria reveals that it is currently carrying out 522 tests per million  compared to for instance the United States and UK, which are currently doing around 200,000 tests per million   with only 13 ventilators available for the population.
With COVID cases rising, the IRC is redoubling its call to authorize access for humanitarian actors and life saving supplies through the Yaroubiya border crossing into northeast Syria. Closed since January, Yaroubiya represents the safest, fastest and most effective route for reaching Syrians in need in the northeast   delivering over 2 million treatment courses for illnesses like pneumonia and diabetes in 2019 alone.
The IRC has already seen devastating impacts of the UN Security Council's decision to put the Yaroubiya crossing out of use: severe disruption to services and closure of health facilities, critical shortages of medicine such as insulin, PPE, ventilators and ICU beds, millions of dollars in funding for programs lost. 75% of NGO health facilities currently lack PPE sufficient to last till the end of this year, with health responders forced to only wear PPE in the face of a confirmed COVID case   posing serious risk to responders and the response alike.
The World Food Program  ( WFP )  yesterday warned that without urgent assistance over 2.2 million Syrians are at risk of slipping further into hunger and poverty.
According to the organisation, in April food prices increased 107 per cent when compared to the same period a year earlier, due to the economic crisis in neighbouring Lebanon and the outbreak of the novel coronavirus that exacerbated the situation.
SANA reporter quoted local sources as saying that one child died in the third section of the camp where its residents have been witnessing continued deteriorating conditions and severe shortage in water, nutritional materials and unhealthy conditions that led to spread of disease, particularly among children.
The civil war in Syria has been overshadowed as the world grapples with the COVID 19 pandemic and its grim economic and social ramifications.
Syrian President Bashar al Assad may have successfully warded off a nine yearrebellionagainst his government, but he is being tested with economic turmoil and civilian protests amid the coronavirus pandemic and looming conflict in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
There are several reasons why the Assad government has just about halted its offensive. These include the coronavirus pandemic, the impact of the economic turmoil in Lebanon, and the economic and political crisis within Syria. Moreover, Turkey, a key player in Syria, has been busy in the eastern Mediterranean.
“UNFPA is keen to contribute to the joint efforts with other UN agencies to ensure access of vulnerable women & girls to essential hygiene and dignity items of their choice. Ensuring access to livelihood opportunities for women and girls is key for building the resilience of families who suffered from the prolonged crisis and the recent COVID 19 impact,' said Karen Daduryan, UNFPA Representative in Syria.
Since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic, with the first positive case announced on 22 March 2020, displaced populations are facing an exacerbated protection and poverty crisis. Those who are most at risk and in need of immediate humanitarian assistance include: pregnant and lactating women, widows, children, people with disabilities and people with chronic diseases. The ongoing economic crisis compounded by the COVID 19 pandemic has exacerbated humanitarian needs of more than 11 million people across Syria. Rapid depreciation of Syria's currency and skyrocketing food prices have significantly contributed to plunging more people into poverty.
Families are now able to choose from a range of nutritious food items and various hygiene products, including sanitary napkins, soap, shampoo and various detergents. This partnership will provide additional purchasing power to the families to help them buy items they need the most in a single trip, and with one electronic voucher, thus limiting their exposure to COVID 19. The e  vouchers, therefore, promote the well being, safety and dignity of women and girls.
Hasaka, SANA  One child has died due to the lack of the health care at al Hawl Camp in Hasaka eastern countryside, which is the third death case during the recent days and for the same reasons at the camp controlled by QSD militia supported by the US occupation forces.
In response to the dire needs, on 2nd September 2020, UNFPA signed an agreement with WFP in Syria to scale up the e voucher cash based transfer mechanism delivered via SCOPE card, targeting pregnant and lactating women across Syria. UNFPA will provide additional top ups using the WFP e voucher system to support women to buy hygiene items that they may need from designated stores in: Aleppo, Damascus, Dara'a, Deir Ez Zor, Hama, Hassakeh, Homs, Lattakia, Quneitra, Raqqa, Rural Damascus and Tartous governorates of Syria; with potential for expansion to other affected areas. This initiative is based on a successful pilot that UNFPA and WFP have implemented in Dara'a.
WFP provides families across Syria with an electronic voucher to buy life saving food each month in more than 125 stores. In May 2020, UNFPA started the provision of an additional top up to support pregnant and lactating mothers, as they are considered more susceptible to the risk of COVID 19 infection and are therefore the most vulnerable group among women of reproductive age.
The Ministry of Education said in a statement to SANA that the number of registered students in the second additional term reached 119204 distributed among 801 exam centers in all governorates, which are equipped with all requirements, taking into consideration the precautionary measures to confront coronavirus, mainly disinfection spatial distancing.
During the past few days, two children passed away due to shortage of the health care in al Hawl camp where Washington, through its terrorist groups, detains thousands of displaced Syrians under disastrous conditions that predict a humanitarian catastrophe in light of the severe shortage of the livelihood requirements, like water, medicine, medication and security.
There is a reason for the under reporting of coronavirus cases in Syria: the economic turmoil that is facing the country and threatening the Assad government far more than the years of armed rebellion.
Restoration of essential services and basic infrastructure to prioritize activities that would support the preventive and curative health response to COVID 19, including rehabilitation of health centers/facilities, retrofitting of designated Quarantine facilities;
reports from inside Syria continue to point to a much broader spread of COVID 19 than the number of confirmed cases conveys. In some areas, existing healthcare facilities have faced challenges in absorbing all suspected cases – particularly as healthcare workers, already in short supply, are themselves struck with the virus. Syrian refugees, both inside and outside camps, remain at great risk as well.
The Nassib Jaber Border Crossing was opened in late 2018 for passengers and trucks, but the Corona pandemic imposed its limitation in both directions to trucks.
around 55 percent of households with no regular access to medical healthcare have poor and borderline food consumption, increasing 17 percent compared to July 2020.
In August, approximately 61 percent of the surveyed households reported that they had lost one or more sources of income because of COVID 19 related restrictions, with almost one out of four households reporting to have lost more than 75 percent of their income.
n August 2020, the most widely adopted negative food coping strategies reported by interviewed households across Syria were consuming less expensive food  ( 61 percent )  followed by a reduction in the number of meals consumed per day  ( 47 percent ) .
Although reducing consumption of adult household members to let their children eat was also broadly implemented, the pro  portion of households mentioned relying more frequently on this coping strategy has decreased from 48 percent in July to 39 percent in August.
Broken down by governorate, Quneitra recorded the highest percent of interviewed households to have lost one or more sources of income due to the pandemic  ( 76 percent ) , with 32 percent of them having lost almost entirely their income in August 2020, followed by Lattakia  ( 65 percent )  and Homs  ( 62 percent ) . Furthermore, this trend has slightly decreased in August for Syrian residents and returnees down by nine percent and by 10 percent, respectively, compared to July 2020.
Around 46 percent of those households who reported losses of income have poor or borderline food consumption in August, representing an increase of 15 percent from July and by 48 percent from April 2020. In addition, 89 percent of these households reported having relied on at least one coping strategy in August.
Though food consumption deteriorated for both male and female headed households in August, both groups reported having adopted less food based coping mechanisms, with a slight decrease in rCSI by one and 1.2 points, respectively, compared to July 2020.
Between July and August 2020, the national average reduced Coping Strategy Index  ( rCSI )  slightly decreased from 17.8 to 16.8, however around 83 percent of the interviewed households reported to still apply at least one food based coping strategy in August due to the worsening economic situation across Syria.
The fall in rCSI was mainly driven by the decrease in Hama and Dar'a, where the number of surveyed households applying food related coping mechanisms fell in August down by 14 percent and by eight percent, respectively, compared to July 2020. However, Deir ez Zor recorded the highest rCSI in August, where 88 percent of respondents reported applying food coping strategies to afford their essential food needs.
Despite the Eid El Adha celebrations at the start of August, which typically leads to increases in the national consumption level of protein intake, around 55 percent of interviewed households reported that they only ate protein fewer than two times a week in August 2020. This was the lowest national average consumption level of protein over the past six months.
almost 66 percent of households mentioned they bought food on credit, with peaks among IDPs  ( 70 percent )  and returnees  ( 68 percent ) . Broken down by governorate, the prevalence of households buying food on credit has increased in August in Quneitra  ( up by 23 percent )  and Lattakia  ( up by seven percent )  compared to July 2020.
As of 28 April 2020, there have been 43 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the Government held areas,17and no confirmed cases of COVID 19 reported in the northwest Syria
In light of the limited capacity of the health system in the northwest Syria to deal with a possible expansion of cases, the focus has been on preventative measures that contain and delay the spread of the virus.
The required resources include personal protective equipment, funding for new health infrastructure, oxygen supplies, ventilators and running cost for the health facilities.
Currently, the health system of the northwest Syria has around 1.4 doctors per 10 000 people, ~0.625 hospital beds per 1000 people, ~5.7 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds per 100 000 people but with only 47 functioning adults ventilators for the whole region. As a result, the health system is neither prepared nor capable to deal with the current increasing health needs, let alone the predicted spread of the COVID 19.
This health system has survived nearly a decade of civil war but now faces a new kind of enemy as the impact of a possible spread of COVID 19 in the northwest Syria will be catastrophic.
Broken down by governorate, in August 2020, the average proportion of households with poor and borderline food consump  tion was highest in Rural Damascus and Deir ez Zor  ( 52 percent ) , Ar Raqqa  ( 49 percent ) , and Homs  ( 48 percent ) , while the lowest was recorded in As Sweida  ( 23 percent ) . Between August and July 2020, the highest increase of inadequate food con  sumption was detected in Rural Damascus  ( up by 29 percent ) .
The share of households reporting poor food consumption was highest in Deir ez Zor  ( 22 percent )  and Al Hasakeh  ( 17 percent )  in August. While the significant change in the proportion of surveyed households with poor food consumption from July to August 2020 was recorded in Homs  ( increased up by 60 percent )  and Dar'a  ( decreased down by almost half ) .
Men and women attend an awareness raising seminar on COVID 19 in Kafarlosin Camp for Internally Displaced Persons  ( IDPs )  in the countryside of Idlib province, 26/10/2020  ( Syria Direct )
In Syria alone, The Right Honourable James Cleverly MP, the minister for the Middle East and North Africa, told a Westminster Hall debate in parliament earlier this month how the UK has spent £3.3 billion in aid since 2012. Providing 28 million food rations, 19 million medical consultations, 13 million vaccinations and is now committing to spending £33 million on tackling COVID 19 in an area where half the hospitals have been deliberately damaged and destroyed in order to achieve military objectives.
[ MAR 2021, Overall Syria ]  39,940 IDP movements within 584 communities.
[ 2 July 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said in a statement that the total number of infections in the country has reached up to 25586, of which 21838 have recovered and 1882 passed away.
[ 3rd March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  On isolation areas at camps and informal sites, most camps areas are completed or nearing completion.
As the crisis enters its tenth year, 6.7 million people remain internally displaced, which is further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID 19 epidemic and deteriorating economic conditions. An estimated 33 per cent of IDPs live in inadequate shelter conditions, including damaged and/or unfinished buildings, public buildings such as schools, and other non  residential buildings. Geographically, poor shelter conditions are most prevalent in Idleb, Aleppo, Rural Damascus governorates, Ar Raqqa city and in camps in the northeast and northwest. The health and safety effects of such conditions become more profound during the winter season.
Critical gaps have been identified in the informal settlements in Northwest where mainly tents and makeshift shelters are not appropriately weatherized to withstand harsh conditions. In Northeast, deteriorating, poorly isolated and overcrowded collective shelters are putting residents at a greater risk of contracting Covid 19, especially with the approaching winter. Many continue to live in areas with high elevation and snowfall with inadequate shelter including Rural Damascus. Across the country heating solutions and fuel are an urgent need.
Top 5 reported morbidities: 1 )  Influenza like illness, 2 )  acute diarrhea, 3 )  lice, 4 )  suspected covid 19, 5 )  leishmaniasis
[ November 26, Homs ]  With hospitals closed their doors to them, the rooms of many patients' homes have been transformed into isolation rooms where patients reside under the supervision of a doctor and nurses, with their families finding alternative solutions to secure the “competitor' and the “last' treatment.
In October 2020, the humanitarian community tracked some 45,000 IDP movements across Syria, around twenty percent fewer than in September. The vast majority of IDP movements were concentrated in northwest Syria, with 90 percent occurring within and between Aleppo and Idleb governorates, similar to patterns observed in previous months.
The current number of Syrian doctors who died of COVID is 170.
10.7m require WASH assistance of which 4.6m are considered in need
[ 20 Feb, 2021, GoS ]  As of 20 February, the MoH reported approximately 98,529 tests had been conducted across the laboratories.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents with access to soap within the assessed settlements: Everyone 42%, Most 42%, About half 14%, A few 1% and Nobody 1%.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ] Reported health facility access: In 86% of assessed settlements, there was reportedly access to health facilities.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Reported difficulties in understanding information about COVID 19: Yes 21% and No 79%.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents aware of social distancing: Everyone 32%, Most 37%, About half 14%, A few 15% and Nobody 3%.
[ 17 AUG, Overall Syria ]  National Informal Market Average Diesel Price up to April 2021 stood at SYP 2,086 per Litre. This represents a 29% increase over June 2021.
[ April 2021, NES ]  % of communities where KIs reported daily waged labour as a common source of income for 82% of residents and 90% of IDPs.
[ February 2021, Ar Raqqa, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents with access to handwashing facilities in assessed settlements: Everyone 2%, Most 4%, About half 2%, A few 4% and Nobody 88%.
However, some Syrian regime officials emphasized through statements that the release of the new 5,000 SYP banknotes would not affect inflation rates because the Syrian regime did not resort to deficit financing. Rather, the damaged banknotes circulated in markets would be replaced with new ones, without an increase in the money supply.
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents aware of social distancing: Everyone 5%, Most 41%, About half 43% and A few 11%.
[ 18 March, 2020, GoS ]  The Ministry said in a statement that the total number of Coronavirus cases registered in Syria up till now has reached up to 16776 of which 11231 have recovered and 1120 have passed away.
[ February 2021, NES ]  KIs in 35% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for women as a barrier to meeting basic needs.
[ February 2021, NES ]  KIs in 21% of communities cited the high cost of a private tutor as a common challenge
( SDF, Feb 2021 )  2.2 million people at high COVID risk
[ February 2021, Deir ez Zor, NES ]  Top three reported expense types by % of assessed settlements: Food 80%, NFIs 66% and Electricity 46%.
[ April 2021, NWS ]  Access to Sanitation: 35% of communities where KIs reported waste removal services as a WASH priority need.
[ 7 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Perceptions of safety of HHs with members with disabilities  ( 1 returnee HH members with disabilities ) : 79% feel safe in their day to day life.
[ April   May 2021, NES ]  While the cost for one kilo of bread has seen an overall decline in the past six months, the price increased by 38% from April to May.
[ April 2021, NWS ]  A lack of bathing facilities was reported as a shelter issue for IDPs in 10% of communities.
( SDF, 14/08/2020 )  1.4m people at high risk of covid infection
[ 29 April 2021, NWS ]  The majority of deaths by suicide recorded, 187, were among people who have been displaced from their homes.
1 in 3 Syrian households in north west Syria report daily labour as their primary livelihood activity
[ 7th 14th June, NWS ]  MEDIAN TRANSPORT FUEL PRICE  ( High Quality and Manually Refined Diesel and Petrol, 1L ) : 2,163 SYP One month change: 4% Six months change: 40%
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Estimated 13.4 million people in need across Syria.
[ June 2021, NWS ]  KIs in 86% of communities cited the high cost of food as a common challenge.
[ 18 June 2021, NWS ]  The failure of the Security Council to reauthorize this cross border mechanism would further aggravate the already desperate humanitarian situation in northwest Syria. Humanitarian and medical aid would be drastically reduced and delayed. As one of the few remaining medical providers in the area, MSF would face increased challenges in reaching the most vulnerable populations in northwest Syria. Most hospitals and health facilities would lack the necessary medical supplies to operate, and patients' lives would be put at risk. Furthermore, the COVID 19 response and vaccination campaign in the area would be jeopardized by the closure of the last remaining border crossing point, including the flow of personal protective equipment, oxygen tanks, respirators, essential medications, and COVID 19 vaccines.
[ June 2021, NWS ]  23% of communities in which households reportedly were unable to access markets in the assessed location.
[ JAN MAR 2021, NES ]  In NES region, the highest record to date on the regional Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket  ( SMEB )  reached 351,203 SYP  ( USD 90 )  in March 2021. This represents a 75% long term increase since September 2020.
[ 7th 14th June, NWS ]  % of surveyed vendors reporting chicken as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 2% Prices for chicken decreased in June due to the summer season, whereby both local chicken and local chicken feed became more available, as reported by REACH field teams
[ August 2021, NWS, NES ]  Broken down by regions, Northwest Syria recorded the highest price of informal transport diesel at SYP 2,737/litre  ( up three percent m o m ) , while Northeast Syria recorded the lowest price at SYP 905/litre  ( up two percent m o m ) .
[ August 2021, Homs & Deir ez Zor ]  Homs recorded the highest average price of a two year old alive male sheep at SYP 627,429/head  ( up three percent m o m ) , while Deir ez Zor recorded the lowest price at SYP 433,333/head  ( down three percent m o m ) .
NCDC Director General Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said, “A few months ago, we used to have a test positivity ratio of up to 20 per cent to 25 per cent in Lagos – that is 20 per cent of all the samples we collected were positive. Now, that figure is down to five per cent. So, we are happy with the progress made in Lagos.
[ 26th Jan 2021,Nigeria ]  So far, Nigeria has conducted over 1.2 million COVID 19 tests.
According to the data provided by theNigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) , the public health agency collected 61, 180 samples for testing   lower than the 87,092 tests carried out in the previous week. Since the pandemic broke out in February last year, the country has carried out 1,302, 410 tests.
President Muhammadu Buhari last week also signed a bill criminalising violation of the safety protocols. The law provides for wearing of face masks, hands washing, and the use of hand sanitisers, amongst other regulations. It stipulates a penalty of a fine or a prison term of six months for offenders.
The other five states with the highest numbers of cases are FCT, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo and Rivers states. Of the 36 states and the FCT, only Kebbi and Kogi did not record a new case last week. On Sunday, 964 new cases were reported in the country.
FOOD SECURITY  ( FS ) : 66% of the IDP population received a form of food assistance last month.  ( Fig. 9 )  1,384HH received agricultural livelihood assistance in Biu  ( 1,280 ) , Ngala  ( 100 )  and Madugur
[ 10 mar, 2021, Nigeria  ]  By United Nations estimates, Nigeria will be one of the countries responsible for most of the world's total population increase by 2050. While Nigeria has the second strongest economy in Africa, it also has extreme rates of poverty with 100 million people living on less than $1 a day.
A total of 17,374 cases were discharged from isolation or treatment facilities after making full recovery
[ 31st Aug 2021, Adamawa State ]  SI distributed 34 Cholera kits to the 34 HHs where AWD was reported as suspected/confirmed. Also distributed 1,152 pieces of soaps to the neighboring HHs and spraying/Disinfection of the HHs conducted. Disinfection of infected Household latrines and public dump sites by IOM, SI and NRC ongoing in communities of Girei and Yola North LGAs.
[ 31st Aug 2021, Adamawa State ]  Radio jingles on prevention of cholera by IRC and ICRC ongoing. Also, mobile campaign and distribution of IEC materials in Motor parks, garages, and markets by Goal Prime ongoing. PLANNED WASH ACTIVITIES: WASH sector joint assessment visit to assess WASH gaps and needs in Koh community in Girei LGA.
[ 1st July 2020, Brono state ]  Informal settlements  ( ISETs )  constitute an even further vulnerable subset of host communities. ISETs are typically characterized by poor infrastructure, residents' lack of secure housing or tenure, and social or physical marginalization from basic services. Consequently, residents of ISETs may be exposed to heightened risk, including to harmful effects as a result of COVID 19
[ 1st July 2020, Brono state ] KIs from 15 assessed settlements reported that most residents' knowledge of COVID 19 was sufficient to protect themselves and their families from the virus.
[ 1st July 2020, Brono state ] KIs from 9 settlements reported that misinformation  ( at least one rumor )  on COVID 19 was prevalent amongst residents. According to these KIs, COVID 19 is not real  ( 7 ) , COVID 19 cannot infect Africans  ( 6 ) , and COVID 19 cannot survive in the heat  ( 5 )  were the most common.
[ 1st July 2020, Brono state ] KIs from 15 assessed settlements reported that no handwashing facilities were publicly available to residents at the time of data collection. In all of the remaining 3 settlements where KIs reported publicly available handwashing stations, soap and water were reportedly available.
The Almajiri system involves parents sending their children, mostly boys, to distant locations for the purpose of acquiring religious  ( Koranic )  education. While parents believe they are fulfilling their obligation to provide religious and moral education to their children free of charge, Almajiri children were often sent by their teachers  ( mallams )  to beg in the streets and form a significant portion of children without parental care at risk of abuse, exploitation and neglect.