nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Wheat Flour  ( Low Price ) : The average price decreased by 0.4% compared to the fourth week of November, but remained 11% higher than 14 March. The decrease occurred in: Nimroz, Nangarhar, Laghman and Urozgan  ( 3% ) , Badakhshan and Takhar  ( 2% ) , due to sustained supply. Meanwhile prices increased in Kandahar and Badghis  ( 3% ) . The main reason for the increase in price was reduced supply to the provincial market. The highest prices were in Daykundi, Badakhshan, Ghazni and Nuristan provinces  ( 36, 35, 35 and 35 AFN per kg, respectively ) . The lowest prices were in Hirat, Nimroz, Farah and Samangan provinces  ( 23, 29, 29 and 30 AFN per kg, respectively ) .
Rice  ( Low Quality ) : The average price decreased by 0.5% compared to the fourth week of November, but remained 21% higher than 14 March. The decrease occurred in Nuristan ( 11% )  and Badakhshan  ( 6% ) , due to improved supply. Prices were highest in Bamyan, Wardak, Badghis and Daykundi  ( AFN 80, 72, 70, 70 Per kg, respectively ) . Prices were lowest in Kunar, Panjsher, Hirat and Laghman  ( AFN 35, 36, 38 and 39 per kg, respectively ) .
As a result of the lockdown, which compounded existing issues of poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment, people had to choose between dying of COVID 19 or dying of starvation due the absence of social protection mechanisms.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs  ( MoSLA )  worked closely with UNICEF regarding COVID 19 assistance to the elderly – this included providing them with lists of elderly community members and providing 700 800 elders with soap and PPE  [ Personal Protective Equipment ] .
The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the MoPH  [ Ministry of Public Health ]  commented about the general impact of the pandemic on mental health, stating that public awareness resulted in widespread fear throughout the entire Afghan population, which was exacerbated by the media.
Within these  [ IDP ]  communities, no mental health assistance was provided by any local, national, or international organization working on COVID 19 response in Afghanistan.
The study found that all revenues, both formal and informal, in the first half of 2020 were 17 per cent lower than during the same period in 2019.
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission  ( AIHRC )  conducted a study in 2013 regarding situation of elderly people in 6 provinces of Afghanistan – Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar, Kandahar and Laghman – which looked at their social, economic and health aspects of their lives. Around 78 per cent of the persons surveyed had health problems and chronic diseases. The majority of these seniors pay for their treatment with support from their children or personal income. As statefunded social care does not exist in Afghanistan, this role is typically filled by family members. Prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, this was already difficult for poorer families, who struggled to financially support their elderly members.
President Ashraf Ghani estimated that around 90 per cent of the population currently live below the poverty line following the pandemic and lockdown measures.
Although poverty is pervasive across all sectors of Afghan society, crises such as pandemics and insecurity, impact vulnerable groups such as elderly people, women, migrants and internally displaced persons  ( IDPs ) , people with disabilities, and children.
Most of the available tests are located in urban areas in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. Demand for tests was lower in rural areas, per the MoPH  [ Ministry of Public Health ] . Ahmad Jawad Usmani, the Afghan health minister, stated that although around 20,000 samples were taken daily across the country, there is only capacity to test around 2,000.
Official testing remains limited – instead of official records, social media pages and graveyards witnessed the rise in COVID 19 patients and deaths, with Afghan social media pages filled with death announcements.
Although initially the government enforced a lockdown in all provinces of the country and set up testing centres, Afghanistan's new strategy for fighting COVID 19 appears to be one of herd immunity.
Additionally, MoSLA  [ Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs ]  provided the names of 1000 older people to the COVID 19 Emergency Committee, and the government provided free bread for them during Ramadan.
The science committee within the ministry  [ Ministry of Public Health ]  is responsible for making health policies and creating public awareness campaigns regarding preventative COVID measures and treatment. They informed researchers that multiple channels and platforms were engaged in their public awareness campaigns. These included the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, religious leaders  ( mullas ) , telecom companies, and COVID 19 messages were to be placed on all government website and Facebook pages.
Kabul Now completed a report on the mental impact of COVID 19 on Afghans, which indicated that people in higher age are more affected by the mental pressures of COVID 19 due to feelings of isolation and a lack of enabling environment.
In addition to anxiety regarding their physical health, poorer families experienced decreasing mental health due to unemployment and price inflation caused by the pandemic, as noted by a religious leader.
Medical supplies also increased in price – for example, the price of thermometers rose from 1000 1500 AFN  ( 13 19.50 USD )  to 36000 96000 AFN  ( 468 1250 USD ) .
The 2013 AIHRC  [ Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission ]  study indicated that old age strongly impacts the social role and position of individuals in Afghanistan, with over half of those surveyed reporting that their age has negatively affected their social standing and mental health, citing lack of physical abilities in tasks and an inability to participate in social activities.
They  [ IDPs ]  avowed that life has worsened for the 20 25 elder residents of Nasaji Bagrami as a direct result of their extended family's lost income and lack of basic services in the camp.
During the lockdown, the government distributed bread to Pul e Shina and Arzan Qemat IDP camps, but this practice was not widespread according to residents of the Nasaji Bagrami Camp in Kabul, who have not received any aid from the government since the pandemic began.
As many IDP camps lack potable drinking water, residents purchase 20L bottles from tankers for 10 AFN.
Due to price inflation and decreased wages, the purchasing powers of casual labour and pastoralists significantly deteriorated by 16 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
As a result  [ of price inflation ] , people faced two primary, interlinked challenges to their income security – administrative corruption and price inflation of food and goods, which increased from 6 to 12.6 per cent between January and June 2020.
For poorer families reliant on day labour, lost income meant an inability to provide for their family, including elders.
Border closures halted Afghanistan's exports and the government has struggled to find alternatives, which in turn has put additional pressure on government finances.
Border lockdowns also impacted local manufacturing, construction, and services industries which import raw materials and rely on international trade routes.
Mohammad Yaqoub Haidari, the provincial governor of Kabul and head of the committee to fight COVID 19, stated that close to 8,000 people died in Kabul. At the peak of the pandemic, his team was reporting 200 700 deaths per day.
In a time of pandemic and more specifically a novel infectious pathogen, health care workers need domestic as well as international scale consultation and support. Even creating a small consultation network using mobile applications might offer improved health outcomes. The Internet of Things and digital health may be considered in concert with telemedicine as part of an effective pandemic response, and incorporated to the Ministry's Emergency Plan
Afghanistan's health minister, Ahmad Jawad Osmani, estimated that a third of Afghanistan's population – around 10 million people – have been infected with the coronavirus, based on a survey supported by the World Health Organization  ( WHO )  and Johns Hopkins University. The survey indicated that over half of the population in Kabul is believed to have been infected.
As of 17 September 2020, Afghanistan has an official total number of 38,872 COVID 19 cases, of which 4,931 are active, and 1,436 deaths.
Since the pandemic began, many Afghans have turned their homes into hospitals due to lack of testing, overwhelmed hospitals, personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  shortages, and inability to pay for healthcare
Additionally, Afghanistan has 1 hospital bed per 1,000 people, which is the lowest in the Middle East and Central Asia region.
Estimates cite that around 15 per cent of Afghanistan's population, including IDPs, lack access to hospitals.
UNDP  [ UN Development Programme ]  Afghanistan estimates that COVID 19 could contribute to a 70 per cent poverty rate in Afghanistan, which would further strain the country's health system and require interventions far beyond what the Government can manage.
UNDP  [ UN Development Programme ]  is also proposing to play an integrator role towards a platform for innovative finance, private and public investments, support to MSMEs  [ Medium and Small Size Enterprises ]  digital technologies  ( starting with telemedicine )  and job opportunities for Youth. UNDP's analytical tools would guide strategic thinking and policy in collaboration with top experts from HEAT  [ High Expertise Advisory Team ]  initiative. Such a cooperative approach would help the Government in generating revenue, creating jobs  ( in the short and longer term )  and progress towards SDG.
The National Procurement Committee purchased 500 ventilators.
All schools and educational centers, hotels, parks, sports complexes, and other public places will remain closed for three months since the announcement.
There appears that more men were tested than woman. This cannot be optimal since no country that had deployed wide ranging testing has so far detected any significant difference in the ability of the virus to infect and make infectious either gender.
If unemployment, underemployment, youth NEET  [ Youth not in education, employment, or training ]  increase, given the and a high dependency ratio  ( less than one household member works for every 6 people ) , the multidimensional poverty headcount could rise from 51.7% to 73.5%.
Initiatives are ongoing to address these economic impacts. For example, the UN is working with Da Afghanistan Bank to allow for cash transfers to address the impacts of COVID 19 through mobile wallets.
Women are slightly more likely to mention handwashing  ( 96% vs. 86% )  and covering mouths for coughs and sneezes  ( 54% vs. 41% ) .
Respondents noted also measures which are not as scientifically substantiated, namely wearing gloves  ( 76% )  and disinfection of surfaces  ( 43% ) .
Food insecurity is increasing nationwide: although 90% of respondents still find all basic commodities in stores,
Men are more likely to have received information from healthcare workers  ( 29% vs. 19% ) , while women were more likely to have received information from family members  ( 41% vs. 24% ) .
A vast majority of respondents are obtaining information about COVID 19 from television  ( 88% )  with friends  ( 56% )  and radio  ( 45% )  the next most common sources of information.
Conspiracy theories about the polio vaccine, for example, have led to households refusing to have their children vaccinated in Afghanistan and continued cases as a result
24% of respondents have ‘heard' that COVID 19 is being spread by foreigners, with one respondent claiming it had been made in “laboratories in foreign countries'.
• 328,116 people received psychosocial support to cope with the mental health effects of COVID 19 by Protection Cluster Partners .
The government stepped up public spending to alleviate the effects of the pandemic, which in return expanded public debt to an estimated 7.8% of GDP in 2020 from 6.1% a year earlier.
Family separation may ensue as families split to check on crops and GBV risks are likely to increase, especially in the event of displacement
After a year of vulnerabilities being deepened by conflict and the pandemic, the projected impact of a potential drought and other disasters during spring is expected to add people's mounting trauma and vulnerabilities, with reduced capacity to cope. It is anticipated that there will be increased adoption of negative coping strategies with particular risks for women and children including child labour, early marriage, child recruitment, risky labour and irregular cross border migration  ( and associated trafficking ) .
Limitations on accessing nutrition services also continue to challenge millions. As of February 2021, some 34 per cent of all health facilities in Afghanistan do not provide integrated management of acute malnutrition  ( IMAM )  services for SAM children and 65 per cent of facilities are not able to provide this for MAM women and children. This means that about 1.9 million acutely malnourished children under the age of five in 2021 won't have access to treatment services.
The capacity of existing health facilities is limited by severe underfunding and as a result of diversion of resources and focus to the emergency COVID 19 response in 2020. Capacity to scale up is conditional on new funding commitments.
Health access is poor in many of the affected locations which will be challenging in the face of increased needs caused by poor hygiene, infectious disease and malnutrition. Disease surveillance  ( especially AWD )  will be critical in a water poor environment.
An early, coordinated GBV response that is mainstreamed across all sectors is essential, especially in overcrowded informal settlements.
There are also additional risks posed by family separation and splitting. Adolescents may be sent abroad to work, exposing them to trafficking risks, while women and children may be left in displacement sites while family members return to their land to check on crops, exposing them to GBV and other safety risks.
High levels of poverty are likely to prompt the increased adoption of negative coping mechanisms presenting serious dangers for vulnerable people including women and children: GBV, early marriage, child labour, begging and recruitment by armed groups and additional debt accumulation.
Early efforts to secure land allocation agreements for those who are displaced will be critical if/when potential hot spots are identified.
Due to limited public health resources and testing capacity, as well as the absence of a national death register, confirmed cases of and deaths from COVID 19 are likely to be under reported overall in Afghanistan and it is not currently possible to approximate how many people will be impacted by the pandemic between March and June.
Total funding requirements for this plan are drawn from the HRP and are a sub set of the overall ask fo $1.3 billion. Given the lack of funding committments for the 2021 HRP, early funding is urgently needed to allow the distribution of spring assistance that is aimed at preventing displacement.
Recommendations : Train respective Concern staff on protection mainstreaming and Protection and GBV risks related to CBIs  in order to identify and mitigate potential risks during the design of CBIs  ( in relation to the protection risk and benefits analysis ) ;
Female headed households and disabled headed households were considered to be the most at risk during cash based interventions.
Culturally, men are responsible for dealing with money in the household and going to the market to purchase goods for the family. Consequently, women living in male headed households have very little or no decision making power in how the cash is spent, and they would be afraid of facing violence if they do not let their husband choosing how to spend the cash.
In 2021, women in Afghanistan continue to face inequalities, despite significant efforts for change over the past decade. Not a lot of progress has been observed, especially in remote areas. Therefore, the risks for women that were identified through this assessment are not surprising in the Afghan context, and are not always specific to CBI. However, considerations need to be made when developing the selection criteria and implementing the response to ensure that all beneficiaries, including women, are able to safely access and spend the cash support
When asked if they had safe access to the market, a majority of women cited that it was challenging for them to walk several hours to reach the market with a Marham. They mentioned that they rarely go to the main cities, except if they are in need of a doctor. Overall, women also face more challenges when traveling to areas outside of their community including potential restrictions/blockages from AOGs7 to reach provincial cities  ( e.g. Faizabad ) , increased risk of being financially exploited  ( e.g. being asked for money to remove the ice from the road ) , and a lack of childcare support― or the need to carry their children with them through difficult weather conditions and long distances.
Based on newly conducted security analyses [ Assessing and Mitigating Risks of Gender Based Violence in Cash Based Interventions ] , Concern organizes its cash or in kind distributions in either the district center or the main provincial city. Beneficiaries from Yawan, Kohistan, and Warduj districts are required to travel to the designated distribution point, with a distance that varies from 3   20 km5 , depending on their village location. Male and female participants described protection risks while travelling to a distribution point, mainly associated with landslides or armed clashes.
Most of the IDPs reported that they do not have latrines in their houses and so engage in open defecation, causing health issues within the community and creating additional difficulty for persons with mobility challenges.
IDPs reported limited income generation opportunities in their area of displacement. As a coping strategy, IDP HHs reported limiting food consumption to once per day, particularly negatively impacting on women and children, especially pregnant and lactating mothers.
IDPs reported fleeing in a hurry and were therefore unable to bring any personal belongings and require emergency Shelter/NFI support to meet their basic needs.
Public services such as schools, clinics, roads, and electricity networks are available and accessible in areas to all including IDPs. While access is not restricted, the schools and clinics are located very far from where the IDPs are settled, effectively limiting access.
IDPs also reported that they lack information about the procedure to acquire civil documentation.
It was also reported during the assessment that some IDPs have arranged exchange marriages of their young daughters to avoid dowry payments for their sons.
It was reported in community discussions that some people continue with the practice as a tradition  [ Early marriages ] , while the majority of community members reported a lack of awareness about the legal age of the marriage under national law. Both girls and boys are negatively impacted by the practice.
Moreover, IDPs reported that their homes, crops, orchards and streets have been damaged or destroyed by AOGs or ProGovernment Forces by heavy bombardment. Community member reported that the AOGs occupied public buildings in their areas of origin as bases during the armed clashes.
2,406 got technical support and 106,567 people received additional NFI or shelter assistance
Only 1,324 people whose shelter was upgraded allowing for safer and dignified living conditions out of 6,130,624 targeted population was 6,131,948 where 99.98% gap remained.
50% of the population reached with Shelter and NFI are women and girls, 59% are children 80,439   Boys 77,302   Girls 47,041   Women 45,219   Men 8,661   Men 60+ 8,035   Women 60+
24% of people reached through Shelter and NFI which is 266,697 against 1.1M targeted population.
IN FEBRUARY 2021, 18 total incidents related to health workers or facilities recorded while 6 aid workers killed, 6 aid workers injured, 11 aid workers abducted.
Ongoing military activity in the Southern Region continued to impede humanitarian activities: One NGO was unable to deploy their mobile health teams to Panjwayi and Zheray districts due to IED presence along the roads and the closure of a health facility in Panjwayi due to ongoing fighting left 20'000 individuals without access to health services.
In a second incident, an IO staff member was approached by an NSAG TB member asking for taxation and requesting for a meeting with representatives of the IO. It is interesting to note that the IO mainly operates in government controlled areas and the suggested meeting location was in a government stronghold, indicating that levy requests no longer only occur in NSAG TB controlled areas. In a third incident, an NGO decided to cancel a planned distribution after they were unable to negotiate a levy exemption with provincial NSAG TB focal points, highlighting the negative impact of those requests on beneficiaries.
In the absence of a public statement by NSAG TB on the rollout of the COVID 19 vaccination, health partners in the northeastern region raised concern about provincial NSAG TB in Takhar and Kunduz opposing the rollout of the COVID 19 vaccination in areas under their control, while in Nimroz, NSAG TB allegedly issued a letter stating their opposition to the rollout
85% stated that they will stay in their own house, close to 8% stated that they will rent a house, and 6% will stay with relatives.
Nine of out of 100 people would face deprivations in all four predisposing factors simultaneously. Most of the at risk population is highly likely to be multidimensional poor. On average, children aged 0 17 would bear the highest burden compared to all the other population subgroups.
The food price increases are accompanied by declining purchasing power for casual labourers and pastoralists – which has deteriorated by almost 19 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively  ( compared to 14 March 2020 ) . These factors, combined with COVID 19 related interruptions to informal employment and decreased remittances, are driving people into crippling debt. Data from the 2020 Whole of Afghanistan Assessment shows that the primary reason for taking on this debt last year was to pay for food  ( 53 per cent ) .
The first batch of COVID 19 vaccinations through the COVAX facility – consisting of 468,000 doses – arrived on 8 March. The arrival in Kabul marks a milestone moment. Afghanistan is the first country in central Asia to receive the vaccine via the COVAX – the facility that is set to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID 19 vaccines globally by the end of 2021. In addition to 468,000 doses of vaccines, 470,000 syringes and 4,700 safety boxes were also part of the shipment.
One INGO member mentioned that they do not conduct cash distributions in a certain province as they have found that this is a significant pull factor for people to flood into camps. Therefore, they changed the distribution modality to providing in kind resources, as “people will walk a few hours to receive cash, but not to receive resources if they are not actually in need'. Although it makes sense to prevent people who are not in need from travelling to distribution sites, humanitarian actors should also be careful that the ones truly in need are not unnecessarily burned with transporting resources back home.
State/PRM partners support returning refugees, IDPs, and host communities in Afghanistan by providing access to education, skills training, and adult literacy courses.
Shelter needs among populations in Afghanistan remain significant due to ongoing conflict and natural disasters such as floods and landslides, which frequently result in displacement and damage or destruction of houses.
The USG  ( United States Government ) is supporting three UN agencies including UNHCR and the UN World Food Program  ( WFP )  and five NGO partners to conduct activities dedicated to preventing, mitigating, and responding to the spread of COVID 19 in Afghanistan
Children across Afghanistan had already missed several months of schooling following GoA imposed closures from March to October 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
In addition, the pandemic has increased food insecurity and debt among households throughout Afghanistan, with relief actors warning that protection issues are likely to worsen as households adopt negative coping strategies, including child labor and early marriage
More than 865,700 Afghans returned to Afghanistan during 2020, including approximately 859,000 from Iran and an estimated 6,700 from Pakistan, the International Organization for Migration  ( IOM )  reports, representing the largest return of undocumented, including deported, Afghans of any year on record.
The continued spread of the disease in recent weeks has led to increased hospitalizations, with COVID 19 designated hospitals in Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar provinces operating at full capacity as of late December, according to relief actors.
Armed clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Balkh, Faryab, Sar e Pul, Jawzjan and Samangan provinces. The ongoing fighting and insecurity on the roads connecting provincial capital to district centres are hindering humanitarian activities across the north. Since 4 November 2020, 28 hospitals have been closed in Samangan province impacting approximately 240,000 people in need of health services. Negotiations are ongoing to reopen the hospitals.
In Kandahar province, the security situation remained tense mainly in Zheray, Panjwayi and Arghandab districts. While ongoing clashes have not resulted in new displacement, airstrikes, shelling and IEDs continue to impact the safety and movements of civilians across the province. Since 2 January, a health centre was closed due to ongoing fighting in Panjwayi district depriving more than 10,000 people of access to basic health services
In Hilmand province, fighting between the Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Nahre Saraj, Lashkargah, Nad e Ali and Nawa e Barakzaiy districts. According to initial reports, five children were killed and three others wounded by airstrikes in the Basharan area of Lashkargah district. Clearing operations of improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  continued in Nahr e Saraj district
IDPs are experiencing difficulties in accessing the distribution site as culverts have been destroyed between the district administrative centre and Khalaj village.
Potential coping mechanism after spending the cash grant: Upon return, 13% of the interviewed returnees stated that they will rely on extended family as a potential coping mechanism after spending in grant and 10% of the interviewed returnees stated that they will borrow from relatives to make a small business. Only 1.6% will join the army/police.
In addition to cash grants, a range of inter agency services are provided for returning refugees, including basic health and malnutrition screening and vaccination  ( by the Ministry of Public Health supported by WHO and UNICEF ) , mine risk awareness  ( by the Danish Demining Group supported by UNMAS ) , information on school enrolment  ( by the Ministry of Education supported by UNICEF ) , and overnight accommodation.
At the Encashment Centers 9ECs ) , all returnees with a valid VRF receive a grant averaging USD 250 per person  ( based on their area of origin )  to support their immediate humanitarian needs and transportation costs.
Support to National Society development in Afghanistan, to build the capacity of staff and volunteers in disaster preparedness at regional and provincial levels.
Health interventions focusing on community based disease prevention and health promotion, psychosocial support, first aid, deployment of medical health teams, and referral services and medical rehabilitation.
Basic needs support through the provision of multi purpose cash grants as a contribution to a Minimum Expenditure Basket  ( MEB ) , which represents the absolute minimum need to survive and keep an individual or family from destitution and poverty. Livelihoods support through conditional cash grants aimed to restore their livelihoods by purchasing agriculture input, tool kits and to increase capacity on crop production while ensuring good practice in agriculture.
Judges can grant pre trial release, and hand down sentences that don't involve imprisonment.
FSAC partners are exploring the feasibility of distributing a take home package for students to replace nutrition assistance that is usually distributed in schools.
The nominal retail price of diesel in Kabul was maximum in February 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.
Cash Based Interventions  ( CBI )  in Afghanistan is a well established response modality for the delivery of humanitarian aid with experienced humanitarian actors and a good policy environment. In Afghanistan, there are three major telecommunication companies  ( AWCC, Roshan, Etisalat ) , which are offering ‘Mobile banking' services in the country. Those includes ‘My Money' by AWCC, ‘M paisa' by Roshan tele com, and ‘Hawala' by Etisalat. Based on discussion with different stakeholders and analysis of data, it is found that Cash transfer through mobile money  ( Sim based/direct cash )  is not something new in Afghanistan. Government organizations, Humanitarian actors and other institution are actively engaging the tele communication companies for Cash transfer to the beneficiaries and other services such as salary payments.
The MoPH leads the health cluster with the support of the World Health Organisation  ( WHO )  in Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan and WHO are working together to effectively improve the public health situation in the country with special emphasis on;  ( i )  health security and prevention and control of communicable diseases;  ( ii )  non communicable diseases, mental health, violence and injuries, and nutrition;  ( iii )  promoting health through the life course;  ( iv )  health systems strengthening; and  ( v )  preparedness, surveillance and response.
The ANDMA coordinates all interventions by humanitarian agencies with support from UNOCHA and through the Command and Control Centre under the supervision of the Minister of State for Disaster Management. From the onset of this response, the government mobilized civil and military departments from the country in order to better respond to the needs of the population in affected provinces.
Qatar Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent have been working in Afghanistan on health project and supported ARCS in the immediate response to drought and floods.
The IFRC CO has set up a technical support platform for ARCS in addressing emergencies and longer terms programmes while supporting ARCS organizational development at large. Across the emergency response, IFRC supported ARCS disaster management teams and volunteers for needs assessment, resource mobilization and for the design and implementation of the emergency operation, in close coordination with other Red Cross Red Crescent partners, IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office  ( APRO )  and IFRC Secretariat in Geneva. With regards to longer terms programmes, IFRC is supporting immunization initiatives for children and implementation of community health services through the support of MHTs and the CBHFA in the North, Northeast, Central North, Central South and West regions.
Number of people reached sector wise, March 2019   September 2020 : Food assistance and Cash: 55,951 Health:1 06,050 Shelter: 28,000 DRR: 15,436
From March 2019 – 30 September 2020, Trained volunteers conducted sessions on health and hygiene promotion campaigns to reduce the number of vector born  ( malaria ) , diarrheal outbreaks and hygienic diseases reaching 3,200 households  ( male: 10,250 and female: 12,150 ) . Local communities were also provided with relevant brochures and posters.
March 2019 – 30 September 2020 total 5 Medical Health Teams  ( MHTs )  deployed in 5 provinces  ( Herat, Jawzjan, Helmand, Badghis and Kandahar )  reaching 106,050 people.
Cash piloting conducted in Jawzjan province from March 2019 – 30 September 2020, where 498 households assisted with multipurpose cash grant. During the six months extension 1,495 more households were assisted with multipurpose cash grant.
Wheat: The average price increased by 1.2% compared to the third week of November, and was 20% higher than 14 March. The increase occurred in: Farah  ( 25% ) , Wardak  ( 9% ) , Paktika  ( 6% ) , Badakhshan, Takhar and Ghazni  ( 3% )  and Urozgan  ( 1% ) , mainly due to supply disruptions to the market and usual price increase during this season. Meanwhile prices decreased only in Badghis  ( 4% ) , due to sustained supply. The highest wheat prices were observed in Paktika, Wardak , Ghazni and Kandahar  (  37, 37, 36 and 35 AFN per kg, respectively ) . While the lowest prices were in Sari Pul, Samangan, Farah and Baghlan  ( 25, 25, 25 and 25 AFN per kg, respectively ) .
Cooking Oil: The average price increased by 0.8% compared to the to second week of November, but remained 32% higher than 14 March. The increase occurred in: Badghis ( 6% ) , Balkh ( 5% ) , Laghman ( 4% ) , Nimroz and Hilmand  ( 3% ) , Kunar, Wardak, Hirat, and Urozgan  ( 2% )  and Paktika  ( 1% ) . The main reasons for the increase were temporary supply shortage and high demand. Meanwhile prices decreased only in: Kandahar  ( 2% ) , due to sustained supply.
77% of the survey respondents went to Iran in search of livelihoods opportunities, 13% due to conflict, 4% to visit family/relatives, 2%  ( mainly deportees )  to move to Turkey and onward to Europe, 1% due to drought, 1% for medical treatment, and 2% for other reasons;
Fertilizer  ( DAP ) : The average price decreased by 0.1% compared to the third week of November. The decrease occurred in Urozgan  ( 7% )  and Takhar  ( 1% ) , due to improved supply. Meanwhile prices increased in Badakhshan  ( 3% ) , Ghazni and Zabul  ( 1% ) , due to increased demand. Prices were highest in Takhar followed by Badakhshan, Zabul and Paktya  ( 3,033, 3,000, 2,920 and 2,917 per 50 kg, respectively ) , while prices were lowest in Nimroz, Parwan and Ghazni  ( AFN 2,000, 2,023 and 2,200 per 50 kg bag, respectively ) .
Rice  ( Low Quality ) : The average price increased by 0.9% compared to the third week of November, but remained 22% higher than 14 March. The increase occurred in Nuristan ( 50% )  and Ghor  ( 4% ) , mainly due to seasonally increase demand  ( coming winter )  . Meanwhile, prices decreased only in Urozgan  ( 4% ) , due to improved supply. Prices were highest in Bamyan, Wardak, Badghis and Daykundi  ( AFN 80, 72, 70, 70 Per kg, respectively ) . Prices were lowest in Kunar, Panjsher, Hirat and Laghman  ( AFN 35, 36, 38 and 39 per kg, respectively ) .
ARCS started the response activities in October 2018, assisting families affected by the protracted drought with the support of partners including IFRC, ICRC, Turkish Red Crescent, Qatar Red Crescent, China Red Cross and Saudi Government. It was later expanded to include floods response beginning March 2019. The life saving assistance included emergency shelter, various household items, food and basic health services based on the rapid need assessments conducted in the affected areas. Response focused on increasing coverage, integration with food assistance, shelter and basic health services for affected population.
Many children, including girls, are employed in jobs that can result in illness, injury, an acquired disability or even death due to hazardous working conditions and poor enforcement of safety and health standards. Children in Afghanistan generally work long hours for little or sometimes no pay.
Although corporal punishment is legally banned in schools, many teachers, especially in remote areas, continue to use it against students as a disciplinary tool, which has negative impacts on their learning ability and discourages regular attendance in school.
UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  also brings the issue of victims' rights to the attention of the parties to the conflict, with suggestions on mechanisms to address them.
Threats and attacks against students and education personnel also increased  [ in 2018 ] , particularly in areas of the country controlled by anti government elements. In many cases, attacks on education have targeted girls' schools, as well as female students and educators, demonstrating continued resistance to girls' education, and leading to the closure of more than 1,000 schools and denying half a million children of their right to education.
The three main barriers cited for not attending schools were: distance to school  ( 28% for girls compared to 3% for boys ) ; fear of threats and intimidation at school,  ( 29% for girls compared to 14% for boys ) ; and security concerns when travelling  ( 20% for boys and 15% for girls ) .
Hazmat Suits  ( water proof full body suit )  is used by COVID 19 responders  ( 78% )  whereas the overall health workers' status as per the respondents is 32%
Improvised Hood is used mostly by COVID 19 responders  ( 55% )  while the overall health workers' response was quite low at 17%
Lock Down  ( restricted travels/movements )   Stay at home if one is sick and seek medical care  ( 72% ) ; Avoid large gathering  ( 87% )
Weak healthcare systems resulting from underinvestment, conflict, and natural disasters leave 14.5 million people in need of health assistance.
While Afghanistan has recently received deliveries of diagnostic kits from UAE and China, diagnostic testing is still stretched given the increasing demand.
With the volatility of the results, there is a need for constant crosschecking of communication choices by responders.
School closures for long and unpredictable periods will have a negative impact on students' learning and retention, as well as grade level progression.
Together with MoPH, the Cluster is continuing to promote advocacy and guidance on mass gatherings including cultural, religious and sport events.
In country supply chain management issues may persist, with stocks in MoPH warehouses not reaching provinces in a timely manner in 2020.
56% of the responders have mentioned that their access to health services is affected due to lock down and movement restrictions.
The La Niña situation is expected to create new financial stress or displacement trauma, leaving people in increased need of psychosocial support
Although civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks, as well as the overall civilian casualties from non suicide IEDs  [ Improvised Explosive Devices ] , decreased in comparison to the first nine months of 2019, UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  documented a 43 per cent increase of civilian casualties from pressure plate IEDs, almost all attributed to the Taliban.
Sixty eight per cent of those interviewed reported that, as a result of the incident  [ attack ] , their social and cultural life was affected. For example, many victims or relatives felt they could no longer participate in weddings, visit family or friends, worship at the mosque, or attend school because of their traumatic experience.
All surviving victims or relatives interviewed attest that the incident  [ any incident that caused injury ]  had led to emotional and mental distress, many with manifestations such as nightmares or trouble sleeping.
Of the interviewed victims who were physically injured, 85 per cent stated that the incident had caused long term physical disability or disfigurement.
From 1 January to 30 September, UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  documented 63 incidents of Afghan Air Force airstrikes causing 349 civilian casualties  ( 156 killed and 193 injured ) . This corresponds to a 70 per cent increase in civilian casualties and a 50 per cent increase in civilians killed from airstrikes in comparison with the first nine months of 2019.
The total number of civilian casualties from all airstrikes decreased by 46 per cent in the first nine months of 2020 in comparison to the same period in 2019, this was mainly due to fewer civilian casualties caused by airstrikes conducted by international military forces.
From 1 January to 30 September, Pro Government Forces caused 806 civilian casualties  ( 205 killed and 601 injured )  with the Afghan National Army responsible for more than three quarters of these civilian casualties. Women and children comprise almost three out of every four civilian casualties from the use of these weapons  [ howitzers and mortars ]  by Pro Government Forces, as civilian casualties are often caused when these projectiles land near or on civilian homes.
For Pro Government Forces, ground engagements remain the incident type causing the majority of civilian casualties, amounting to 986 civilian casualties  ( 270 killed and 716 injured )  in the first nine months of 2020, similar to the same period of the year prior. Of specific concern is the detrimental harm that is caused by the use of indirect fire, including through howitzers and mortars, especially in civilian populated areas.
UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  attributed 113 civilian casualties  ( 83 killed and 30 injured )  to international military forces, representing two per cent of all civilian casualties. Since the United States Taliban Agreement of 29 February, civilian casualties caused by international military forces have all but ceased.
USAID/BHA partner the UN Children's Fund  ( UNICEF )  provided safe drinking water to more than 700 IDPs in Helmand during November and December
Make GBV prevention and response, and PSEA a compulsory element of all humanitarian interventions and reporting and allocate sufficient funding for GBV interventions.
The nominal retail price of rice in Hirat was maximum in September 2020 and was minimum in December 2020 and January 2021.
The nominal retail price of rice in Hirat was maximum in September 2020 and is minimum in January 2021.
The nominal retail price of Wheat grain in Mazar e Sharif was maximum in Janurary 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.
31% shared that they use the existing facility in the health facility for testing female. Quite low at 12% among the COVID 19 responders mentioned of a separate room for females exist.
Child friendly space recommended to be established in the area of displacement.
18% of the respondents mentioned that social media is the main source of information. Women  ( 20% )  identify it higher than men  ( 18% ) . • Official Websites and government sources is considered by 3% only  ( again women with 5% outnumber men with only 2% )
Understanding knowledge of Health Workers can influence their attitude and practices. This part covers their awareness and knowledge about the disease. 100% have heard about Novel Corona Virus  ( COVID 19 )  • 89% have mentioned that they have participated in various discussions related COVID 19  ( 92% among men and 84% among women )  • Women working in PHCs and CHCs /CHC+ have participated less in these discussions  ( 29% )
The COVID 19 pandemic has disrupted access to critical services and has diminished livelihood sources for households.
Even some of the doctors are in quarantine and most of them are from the private clinics who don't have the supplies of PPEs.
In Kabul, Herat, Ghazni and Nangarhar, most of the confirmed cases are coming from private clinics and were referred to COVID 19 centres . In Kunduz most of the COVID 19 positive cases are refer from regional hospital and the services of this regional hospital became very low; and most of the private clinic are working at reduced time as the medical staff and people are panic about COVID 19
Government could send a message to judges and magistrates that any decision to remand to custody should be subject to anxious scrutiny in light of the virus.
42% of the higher level hospitals are running above and well above the capacity and over lowing from other areas, where as it is quite low in the private clinics and about 21% in the lower level hospitals like CHC, BHC level.
Several doctors have been detected positive of COVID 19. in Kunduz regional hospital alone 15 doctors were found positive and most of them were trainee doctors in the teaching hospital, and few of them were staff of private clinic /hospital too. So it reflected negatively that these hospitals are infected and then most of the people refused to go to these centers for emergency and other OPD services and instead people prefer to the public health facilities mean BPHS relevant health facilities and thus some increase is noted.
The public education in the health facilities is another reason to avoid crowding in health facilities which is considered as risk factor for the transmission of the COVID 19, so people avoid to come to health facilities except the emergency situation.
Female health workers are less in many provinces
Women have less access to information in the rural areas as Television or the posters are not available and few women workers are available at the village level to share right risk education on COVID 19.
The knock on effect of the global economic crash has compounded these impacts and now threatens the very future of an already fragile economy.
On 21 August, the Spin Boldak border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was fully reopened after having been closed for pedestrian movement since 06.
Women are attending less at the screening. Women were not ready to screen due to inadequate number of female staff available at the screening facility. Only older/elderly women and children are being screened. At the screening facilities there are many men.
The nominal retail price of wheat grain in Hirat was maximum in January 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.
With health workers getting affected and the recent deaths of health facility staff and many don't have any travel history and thus community spread is clearly noted and feared.
The nominal retail price of wheat grain in Kabul was maximum in September 2020 and was minimum from October 2020 to Jan 2021.
Displacement crisis persisted and the number of conflict induced IDPs increased from 369,700 in 2018 to more than 400,000 in 2019. 505,000 refugees returned to Afghanistan, mainly from Iran, during 2019
Most children keep asking why they are not going to school, why their studies have been stopped, they are very nervous that without work nor education, their prospects will be bleaker than before.
30,000 diagnostic testing kits are available in country and the WHO has a supplier in place to provide additional kits as necessary
Among the fatalities, 72 had at least one underlying disease9 , the most common of which are cardiovascular disease, lung infection and diabetes. The majority were between ages of 40 69. Men between the ages of 40 69 represent 60 per cent of all COVID 19 related deaths.
According to the Herat health officials, more than 100 staff at the hospital, including doctors, nurses and other staff, are suspected of being infected by the coronavirus, but these reports were not confirmed. And according to officials, their tests are pending in the hospital's lab, and it will be clear in the coming days how many of these health workers are in fact suffering from the disease
In other words, if this model is correct, more people will die of COVID 19 in Afghanistan than the estimated 100,000 civilians killed since the conflict began more than 18 years ago.
Many international observers believe that COVID 19 would lead Afghanistan into another catastrophe and urge both the Afghan government and the Taliban to stop fighting immediately and start working together with the United Nations and aid agencies to improve access to health care to save as many lives as possible. Unfortunately, it seems that both parties are unwilling to co operate with each other.
There are more than 82,000 people in displacement sites in Hirat and about 56,000 people living in 54 informal settlements in Kabul, are living in sub standard and overcrowded conditions, with limited access to basic services, particularly water, sanitation and hygiene. There are many such settlements in Kandahar, Mazar e Sharif, Kunduz, Jalalabad and other cities do pose a high exposure to COVID 19. As COVID 19 numbers inclining substantially , HCWs , first responders and the countless individuals working in "essential services" are at greater risk.