nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Protection partners have also reported reductions in face to face sessions, including for child protection, and challenges in implementing alternative modalities, such as remote case management, due to limited internet connectivity and poor mobile phone coverage in some areas.
According to updates from 24 WASH Cluster members in 110 locations to the WASH COVID 19 reporting matrix, 89 percent have changed their response due to COVID 19, 80 percent have increased the amount of water supplied, 83 percent have adapted hygiene promoted activities, 59 percent have increased the amount of soap distributed, and 15 percent have increased the amount of laundry detergent distributed.
Humanitarian staff are also impacted, with restrictions on movement and lengthy quarantine a contributing factor to limiting the ability to deploy staff and contractors where needed, including international staff who may not be able to cross borders. Evolving and unforeseen preventive measures are also disruptive to humanitarian programming
WHO is the lead agency and is working to support the MoH in enhancing health preparedness and response to COVID 19, in accordance with the International Health Regulations  ( IHR 2005 )
In the north west, Bab Al Hawa and Bab Al Salam crossings are partially closed, and UN shipments of relief supplies continue to be allowed through. Humanitarian staff are currently not permitted to cross and advocacy continues to facilitate crossings for critical humanitarian staff movements. The two crossings between the Idleb area and northern Aleppo governorate  ( Afrin )  closed to individual movements on 1st April. Exceptions are sporadically being granted for humanitarian cases, commercial and humanitarian shipments
Collaboration between the WASH and FSL Cluster lead agencies continues with actual/planned distribution of 720,000 food parcels in northwest Syria from April to June. This includes adding bar soap to 720,000 food parcels and pasting stickers with COVID 19 prevention measures on 420,000 of these.
Following the global outbreak of COVID 19, authorities in Syria took increasingly constraining protective measures to limit the spread of the virus within their territories. Access across the country, including for humanitarian response, has been severely impacted by those limitations. At the same time, facilitation procedures for humanitarian movements are gradually being established. Different rules and systems apply in the various areas of influence, leading to a complex and dynamic operating environment
( NW 09/2020 )  Most commonly reported coping strategies for a lack of healthcare services: 1 )  going to the pharmacy instead of a clinic  ( 86% ) , 2 )  seeking non professional care  ( 37% ) , taking lower than the recommended dosage of medication  ( 26% )
The Humanitarian Needs Assessment Program estimates that the population in NW Syria is 4,170,000 of whom 67% are IDPs; 1.2 million are living in tented settlements or camps. The population in NW Syria is particularly vulnerable to COVID 19 spread given ongoing hostilities, wide spread displacement, limited WASH services and inadequate shelter
Syria has suffered more than 9 years of conflict and its health system has been affected by both direct and indirect attacks on healthcare. The conflict has affected every aspect of the healthcare system. As of April 2020, 306 health facilities remain functional out of 568 health facilities in NW Syria which is insufficient for the needs of the population.
The priorities under the Infection Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  pillar include ensuring adherence to minimum IPC standards in health facilities and crowded public spaces. Complementing messaging and outreach activities, IPC based interventions are also particularly critical in areas where sanitation conditions and hygiene practices are poor
Eleven confirmed cases of COVID 19 were registered in northwest Syria as of 15 July: eight cases in Idleb governorate and three in Aleppo governorate  ( Azaz ) . Three doctors and a nurse were among the confirmed cases.
A key priority is to finalize initial construction and preparation work for all COVID 19 referral facilities for moderate and severe cases to meet minimum standards
Observers fear a potentially extensive outbreak in the area, which hosts hundreds of overcrowded IDP camps and has extremely limited healthcare capacity. The announcement comes as the Bab al Salam border crossing connecting Turkey and northwest Syria was closed on 11 July following UNSC resolution 2533.
Displaced populations and returnees, particularly in Northeast and Northwest Syria, are vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID 19, due to unsanitary living conditions, overstretched health services and low coverage of routine immunization. Nine years of conflict have dramatically reduced access to basic social services, with concern that violations against children have been escalating.
May, medical supplies transiting through Bab al Salam reached one million people, and around 800,000 IDPs were served through the crossing point. The closure's impact on people in need is still unclear, but humanitarian organisations will have to reshuffle their logistics and undertake more complex, costly, and risky delivery operations.
Healthcare worker shortages have resulted from the forced displacement of healthcare workers  ( around 67% of Syria's total healthcare workforce has been displaced outside of Syria )  and more than 932 healthcare workers have been killed during the conflict  ( see figure 2 )  This has contributed to significant healthcare system and healthcare worker gaps which are unable to meet the needs of the population, even prior to the threat of COVID 19.
Out of the 103 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds for critical cases none are fully operational  ( only 1 mixed ward, also supporting non COVID cases, is available to receive patients ) , while only 309 of 975 beds planned for moderate severe cases are currently online  ( with no beds currently available in non GoS controlled areas Deir ez Zor
In addition, the procurement and delivery of critical medical equipment to NES remains a challenge due to a combination of global supply shortages as well as restrictions on the ability of NES NGOs to procure supplies in KRI for export to NES, including, in some cases, the imposition of taxes, levied specifically on items imported by NES NGOs.
To date, sectors have identified approximately $59.9 million from either new contributions or existing funding reallocated or repurposed from programmes suspended due to COVID 19 mitigation measures, which can be used for immediate response.
The Bab al Hawa crossing between Turkey and northwest Syria will remain operational for one year.
This means that for the NW Syria population of 4,170,000, there should ideally be more than 4,170 beds and 417 ICU beds to meet minimal needs of the NW Syrian population for normal operation. As such, even prior to the COVID 19 pandemic there was almost a 50% shortfall for inpatient beds.
As of 27 June, of samples from patients collected in NWS four samples tested positive, while all other cases tested negative.
The eight cases in Idlib are in addition to 439 cases officially recorded by the Assad government, including 21 deaths. Further, there were 5 cases in the area under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces  ( SDF )  in northeast Syria. These cases were not included in the official government tally. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent also announced that one of its volunteers had contracted COVID 19 in the southern province of Daraa on July 6.
AMMAN   On Wednesday night, the 11th case of the novel coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  in Idlib was announced by the opposition affiliated Syrian Interim Government, sparking concern from humanitarian actors about a coming crisis in the densely populated northwest province
The COVID 19 taskforce continues to coordinate the application of relevant IPC measures across NWS including Points of Entry  ( PoEs ) .
The taskforce is monitoring the referral system at health facility level, including the level of treatment required and availability of services and beds, and inter facility transfer in order to improve coordination across the care continuum
SARC has also prepared a four month plan to respond to the COVID 19 outbreak, covering a range of preparedness, containment and mitigation measures, totaling $10.4 million. On 8 May, UNRWA launched an updated $93.4 million Flash Appeal to expand their humanitarian response to the pandemic, over the next three months. As of end May, the appeal was 57 per cent funded.
At the same time, testing in northwest Syria is limited.
( NW 09/2020 )  affordability emerged as the top barrier to food security, as reported by KIs in 78%  ( for residents )  and 81%  ( for IDPs )  of communities where barriers were present.
Within the Syria crisis region, which spans the Whole of Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, there have been a total of 252,204 confirmed cases of COVID 19 as of June 30, 2020. The highest number of confirmed cases came from Turkey  ( 199,906 ) , followed by Egypt  ( 68,311 ) , Iraq  ( 49,109 ) , and Jordan  ( 1,132 ) . Only 279 cases were reported in Syria.
The WHO has distributed 1,200 testing kits to Syria, 300 of which went to Idlib province, according to Fadi Hakeem, the advocacy and communications manager at the Syrian American Medical Society  ( SAMS ) . However, the kits were sent via Damascus, rather than the Turkey Syria border crossing that is authorized by a UN Security Council resolution to be used for aid shipments to areas of Syria not under government control, as in the words of WHO spokesperson Hedinn Halldorrson, “the northwest is not a country.'
The humanitarian situation remains critical as COVID 19 mitigation measures further contributed to a negative economic impact on the most vulnerable population as a driver for unemployment
Additionally, aid to the opposition held territory has also been restricted due to constraints on organizations that also work in the government held territory who fear having their permission to work in those areas revoked. One such humanitarian organization told Syria Direct that Damascus denied their request to set up testing labs in IDP camps in northwest Syria, without giving a reason for the denial.
The transhipment hub at Bab al Hawa is being expanded to improve physical distancing. The Cluster continues to implement COVID 19 counter measures at the hubs, including regularly holding workshops on COVID 19 awareness.
In Syria, the ongoing economic crisis has exacerbated humanitarian needs of the more than 11 million people across Syria in need. The poverty rate is over 90 percent. With the official exchange rate being 1,250 SYP for each USD1.00, the collapse of Syria's currency has compounded the crisis and continues to plunge more people into poverty. Unemployment is also high and exacerbated by restrictions to contain COVID 19. There are reports of Syrians obliged to borrow money to meet basic needs, with rationing of food supplies becoming common practice in households. Millions of displaced people have lost their livelihoods, are taking on debt and are increasingly unable to meet their basic needs due to the regional economic crisis and the impact of COVID 19.
As for AA held northeastern Syria, the area has had six cases of COVID 19 thus far. AA territories had its only death from COVID 19 on April 2, but the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria  ( AA )  was not notified by the WHO or Damascus of the death until two weeks later, impairing its ability to conduct contact tracing.
Despite the challenging environment UNICEF continued to deliver in Syria, adjusting operational modalities to ensure the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance during escalations of violence as well as the COVID 19 pandemic. Distribution methods have been adapted to reduce face to face contact, and awareness raising efforts on COVID 19 risks and precautions were scaled up.
The effects of mitigation measures, coupled with the rapid devaluation of the SYP, continue to exacerbate the humanitarian needs of 4 million people living in the area, including 2.7 million internally displaced
On April 29th, a husband and wife tested positive for COVID 19 in the al Omran neighborhood of Hasakah city. Following the positive test results, the AA health ministry announced the neighborhood would be put under full quarantine.
The price of the minimum expenditure basket reached historical highs in May 2020. Reports of gender based violence and related protection issues are on the rise. Longer term needs of displaced persons are increasing, and in some cases, are becoming more complex
Meanwhile, certain activities had to be suspended to protect the affected population, as well as humanitarian workers. UNFPA continues coordination with the Ministry of Health  ( MoH ) , other key line ministries, and actively advocates for efforts to provide SRH services in the wake of COVID 19. While reproductive health services, as well as essential Gender Based Violence services are now more accessible than in previous months due to lifted restrictions, the pandemic is still severely disrupting access.
The ability to test for the coronavirus is also limited, as there are only two PCR machines in AA controlled territories, which were sent by Iraqi Kurdistan on April 12. Previously, the AA had to send samples to Damascus to make a diagnosis, a process that, best case scenario, takes over a week.
All civilians, displaced and resident population, living in northwest Syria have been impacted by the economic downturn. Those in displacement may be disproportionately impacted.
Various IPC measures have been implemented in camps. At the entrance to camps, Camp Administration with the support of humanitarian actors are in the process of establishing temperature screening and establishing mandatory hand washing stations. As part of this, WHO has committed to provide thermometric scanners and training to the guards on basic medical screening. Visitors to camps have been banned, along with community gatherings and focus group discussions comprising more than 7 individuals. Across camps, WASH interventions continue with shortage of capacity and supplies for distribution of COVID hygiene kits.
With little access to testing in general, especially in territories outside the Syrian government control, it is difficult to track the coronavirus spread throughout the country.
The densely populated Internally Displaced People  ( IDP )  camps in northwest and northeast Syria present a frightening scenario for the coronavirus to spread unabated due to the lack of medical infrastructure and supplies. Similarly, the approximately 100,000 Syrians locked away in government prisons and detention centers are particularly vulnerable to the virus
This reporting period has been characterized by persistence of child protection concerns in northwest Syria, aggravated by COVID 19 pandemic and the devaluation of the Syrian Pound and its impact on the local economy. The impact of the devaluation exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation for children in northwest Syria, resulting in a steep increase on child labour including worst forms of child labour. Reports from the field in this period confirm increases inchild labour and child marriage. An increase in the number of children begging or searching for casual labour in the street until very late at night is also observed
• Despite limitations in an increasingly restrictive operational environment, Child Protection partners have continued to deliver while incorporating where possible COVID 19 prevention messages and messages on childcare in times of isolation and unpredictability. Child protection partners have continued to adapt key, core interventions, such as psychosocial support, case management and child protection awareness raising.
As of 12 July, more than 2,500 samples had been PCR tested for COVID 19. Humanitarian and health partners are continuing their efforts to mitigate against the spread of the pandemic.
Four COVID 19 cases have been identified in northwest Syria. Contact tracing has been activated and efforts continue to mitigate the spread of cases and raise awareness about COVID 19 risks and precautions.
The Coronavirus Awareness Team  ( CAT )  is working on an enhanced digital communication strategy
Members of the GBV Sub Cluster continued providing services while taking into account safety procedures related to COVID 19. Key ongoing interventions consist of case management services including follow ups, individual consultations, cash support, dignity kits distribution to women and girls, life skills sessions, recreational activities and trainings for GBV and other humanitarian actors.
Recommendations: Support and protect healthcare workers through supporting training  ( infection prevention and control, skills for different healthcare facilities ) ; availing PPE in sufficient quantities; support skill substitution; and providing staff compensation. Strengthen healthcare system capacity
Child Protection Case Management and Individual Protection Assistance  ( IPA )  continued. Case management including family tracing has continued in the reporting period. In high to medium  risk cases, child protection partners are still conducting follow up visits, while taking the necessary precautions due to COVID 19. While data for June will be compiled beginning of July, the Child Protection Sub Cluster is aware that in the last two weeks  ( in addition to the ongoing caseload )  17 new cases were registered since the last report  ( 10 girls and 7 boys ) . In Harim district, cases were identified in Armanaz and Kafr Takharim sub  districts, while in Idleb district, cases were identified in Maaret Tamsrin
( NW 09/2020 )  KIs reported negative food coping strategies among households, including: purchasing food on credit  ( 65% ) ; buying food with money usually used for other things  ( 58% ) ; reducing meal sizes  ( 53% ) , and/or; skipping meals altogether  ( 52% )
Recommendations: Increase emergency funding to support the health and humanitarian response in NW Syria. Upscale testing measures including through support laboratory capacity including equipment, consumables, training and staff. Strengthen feasible community interventions.
As of August 15, 2020, the Syrian Ministry of Health  ( MoH )  has reported 1,593 COVID 19 cases across Syria: 1,125 active, 408 recoveries and 60 registered deaths. The first positive case was announced on 22 March 2020, with the first fatality reported on 29 March 2020.
Although GBV prevention and response activities continue to be provided, safety measures related to COVID 19 have caused services to be accessible for a smaller number of beneficiaries  ( usage of online sessions, fewer beneficiaries per session )  which is affecting the ability to report incidents of violence to which women and girls may be exposed, as well as reducing entry points to obtain the necessary services.
Though the population in NW Syria is skewed towards a younger demographic with fewer patients aged 60 years or over  ( see population pyramid )  the population has a number of other risk factors. Up to 41% of the adult Syrian population has a non communicable disease e.g. hypertension, diabetes, cancer;4 . Smoking prevalence among Syrian adults  ( particularly men )  is among the highest in the Middle East and is associated with more severe disease5 . Malnutrition  ( micro and macronutrient deficiency )  is high given food insecurity in the area6 . These may affect the proportion who develop severe or critical disease and could potentially contribute to a more rapid spread of COVID 19 than seen elsewhere with a higher doubling rate, higher clinical attack rate and a high proportion of patients requiring hospitalization or ventilation than in other settings.
Precautions against a potential spread of the virus have been scaled up in response to the identified cases, including restrictions on movements, gatherings and commercial activities as well as inperson education services. These measures are crucial to contain transmissions of COVID 19, though they may intensify humanitarian need through their impacts on local markets, income generating opportunities and vital services while complicating humanitarian response.
Activities that continued with COVID 19 countermeasures included specialized services such as case management for high risk and individual cases and referrals for child protection, GBV and mine action, individual protection assistance and physical rehabilitation. Where feasible, some PSS, and legal awareness and counseling on Housing, Land and Property, and civil documentation have also continued  ( in centres, via outreach, and in camps ) .
Major gaps in personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  persist, especially for non health cluster members, essential to execute regular activities of the clusters in case of an outbreak
As of 24 July, 44 health care workers  ( 8% of reported cases )  tested positive for COVID 19, according to the Syrian MoH, an increase of 26 health workers since the previous report. This highlights the particular risks faced by healthcare workers; and underscores – given Syria's fragile healthcare system with already insufficient numbers of qualified healthcare personnel – the potential for its overstretched healthcare capacity to be further compromised.
Escalations in clashes between NSAGs have been reported in recent weeks, including in Idleb city and its western countryside where inter NSAG violence since mid June resulted in movement restrictions, the temporary closure of some roads, and civilian casualties.
Major humanitarian needs persist across all sectors while the vulnerability of the people is exacerbated by the devaluation of the Syrian Pound and the impact of COVID 19.
Response: 24 ERL Cluster members responded in May, with 12 ERL members reaching 82,783 people in 11 Aleppo sub districts and 19 ERL partners reaching 406,440 people in eight Idleb sub districts. Rehabilitation of access to basic utilities  ( electricity, gas, water and sewage )  interventions reached 95,708 households, mostly in Jandairis in Aleppo governorate and Dana, Ariha and Mhambal in Idleb governorate.
As some impact analysis is revealing, the impact of the lockdown and Covid 19 on women exacerbated some of their responsibilities and added to their burden in terms of household tasks. The work overload, the increased responsibilities and the movement restrictions also impacted negatively on mental health. Covid19 has also added to the already existing precarious economic situation and the pressure on women and female youth to work seems to be higher, particularly for women heads of their households.
118 people with disabilities benefitted from activities such as vocational training, short term work opportunities and cash for work activities  ( COVID 19 personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  such as masks, and spray manufacturing ) .
The ongoing economic crisis has exacerbated humanitarian needs of the more than 11 million people across Syria in need. The poverty rate is over 90% and the national average food basket in June  ( SYP 84,095 ) , is up 153% compared to December 2019,3 with the prices of basic items and goods having further increased in the local markets thus creating a large gap in accessibility between average wage income and the consumer market.
Humanitarian partners are providing multi sectoral support including IPC measures such as sterilization of accommodation and examination centers and the provision of PPE to teachers, invigilators and observers; as well as the provision of meals, NFIs and dignity kits to those hosted in accommodation centers.
1,376 people were employed through the creation of short term work opportunities, in light rehabilitation works of road and drainage systems or in COVID 19 awareness raising campaigns. 360 households were provided basic housing repair support through the construction of semi permanent shelter structures, mostly in Aghtrin in Aleppo governorate.
Although sexual and reproductive health  ( SRH )  services, as well as essential Gender based Violence  ( GBV )  services are now more accessible than in previous months due to lifted restrictions, the pandemic is still severely disrupting access.
Rehabilitation/restoration of access to basic utilities, local economic infrastructure and other social infrastructures, including: Electricity. Access ways/roads to markets for farmers, shopkeepers and business owners, to cultivatable lands, and to and from IDPs camps, Markets, Water systems, Rehabilitation of sewage channels and drainage systems to ease stress on overburdened services.
Despite this directive, there are continued reports of significant non essential movements into NES, including through formal cross line transit points in Raqqa. According to HNAP, between the 28 July and 10 August, 6,910 and 8,070 crossings were recorded at the Abu Assia and Akerishi crossing points in Raqqa respectively. It is understood that arrivals into NES via these crossing points are not undergoing quarantine  ( although regular crossing through the Tabqa crossing points are directed to quarantine centres  see below ) .
UNFPA response includes provision of maternal and SRH services for pregnant and lactating women, operation of WGSS', distribution of SRH and dignity kits  ( both male and female ) , distribution of small hygiene kits, e voucher system for hygiene supplies, community awareness raising and referrals to both SRH and GBV services.
[ Whole of Syria, June 2020 ]  June 2020 saw the highest national average price of the WFP standard reference food basket since the start of the crisis in 2011 as well as a serious deterioration of key household food security indicators and a dramatic decline in the purchasing power of Syrian households.
More than 300 schools are out of operation, impacting 117,000 children and more than 5,000 teachers: o 135 schools in Ma'arrat An Nu'man and neighbouring communities, impacting 48,649 children and 2,704 teachers; o 23 schools in the communities of Ariha, impacting 5,681 children and 384 teachers; o 41 schools in the communities of Saraqab, impacting 4,901 children and 615 teachers.
A total of 40 GBV case managers participated in the 5th and final online webinar covering staff self care during COVID 19. The webinars are being organized by UNFPA to improve the quality of remote GBV case management and psychosocial support  ( PSS )  services due to the GBV risks exacerbated by COVID 19. The training participants were selected from 4 UNFPA IPs  ( Al Tamayoz; NFRD; SFPA; and MSJM ) , operating in Damascus, Rural Damascus , Dara'a, Quneitra and Sweida.
Since the last report, authorities in Northeast Syria have announced a further 194 cases bringing the total in NES to 204  ( 139 in Al Hasakeh, 46 in Aleppo, 10 in Deir ez Zor and nine in Ar Raqqa ) . Of these, 175 are active with 20 recoveries and nine fatalities also recorded. Twenty two per cent of all cases are amongst healthcare workers.
The Education Cluster reached at least 298,065 school age displaced children with education assistance as of 7 July. Children are being reached with diverse packages of education services including psychosocial support  ( PSS ) , psychological first aid  ( PFA ) , formal and non formal education activities, home schooling, student bags and textbooks to minimise disruption to children's learning.
As of 10 August, the MoH report around 21,070 tests have been conducted by the Central Public Health Laboratory  ( CPHL )  in Damascus and the public health laboratories in Aleppo, Lattakia and Homs. The enhancement of laboratory and case investigation capacity across Syria, including in NES, remains a priority, as does the timely communication of all information relevant to the safeguarding of public health
Border crossings remain impacted as Syria and neighboring countries continue implementation of precautionary measures. Most land borders into Syria remain closed, with some limited exemptions  ( from Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon )  including commercial and relief shipments, and movement of humanitarian and international organization personnel.
Since July, the epidemiological situation in Syria has rapidly evolved. In July, 532 cases were confirmed, compared to 157 cases in June and 79 cases in May. At the time of writing in August, authorities have confirmed 920 cases. Given the limited testing across Syria, it is therefore possible that asymptomatic and mild cases are going undetected and the actual number of cases may far exceed official figures
173 children provided with medicine to treat headlice, in coordination with the Health Cluster; 1,106 children supported with home based education based on a self learning programme, in Marat Tamsrin, Daret Azza, Ariha and Haritan sub districts; 4,000 out of school children provided with life skills, recreation and PSS education activities;
On 28 April, the first repatriation flight of Syrian nationals who had been unable to return to Syria due to COVID 19 precautionary measures landed in Damascus. On 4 May, a subsequent flight of over 200 Syrian nationals from the UAE arrived. Approximately 10,000 Syrians abroad have registered for further repatriation flights.
Certain challenges continue to impede service delivery nationwide. These include unreliable internet connectivity, which impedes programmes that have shifted to remote modalities, in addition to border closures and the volatility of the currency exchange rate  ( compounded by worsening banking challenges in Lebanon ) , and other factors that impact the import of certain medical supplies critical to an effective COVID 19 response.
On 16 August, the GoS announced new entry requirements for individuals arriving from official border crossing points with Lebanon following presentation of a negative PCR certificate at the border. Tests must have been conducted within the past 96 hours at accredited laboratories in Lebanon noting that those unable to present such a document would be quarantined.
In the challenging context inside Syria, where students are leaving their families to complete their exams far from home, often passing through checkpoints separating two conflicting factions, thousands are forced to live through conflict in Syria with limited access to essential services. In addition to numerous hurdles along the way, COVID 19 has come to form a new threat to an already struggling population, making the delivery of life saving assistance even more complicated. The pandemic has increased the hardships and worsened the economic situation for millions of Syrians who have barely begun recovering from nearly 10 years of crisis.
One partner has completed light rehabilitation of WASH systems at Dar'a  ( Al Bassel Education Centre ) , and is progressing work at the Health Institute in Deir Ez Zor. WHO continues to deliver trainings on case management  ( resuscitation and ventilation management ) .
[ Whole of Syria ]  A difficult winter season lies ahead in 2020 21, as households are already facing deteriorating purchasing power due to the recent dramatic increase in the price of goods and inputs, with no change in their income levels.
International repatriation flights have not taken place since 16 July when 260 Syrian nationals arrived from Erbil. In recent weeks, a reported 2,000 Syrian nationals residing in Lebanon have also reportedly returned through land crossings, mainly Maasna border point
227 families have been provided with tents by Education partners to support the relocation of displaced people sheltering in schools, in order to enable the resumption of learning activities in the affected areas;
During the reporting period, 32 health care workers at Al Waleed Hospital in Homs were trained on COVID 19 case management and four further trainings were conducted for health workers at Al Hol and Areesha camps, and two private hospitals in NE. UNFPA also conducted an online training for 209 health care workers from Damascus, Aleppo, Al Hasakeh and Hama governorates.
UNFPA and its partners are on the frontlines, working to protect and improve the lives of Syrian women, adolescents and young people, and contributing to national efforts to help curtail the spread of COVID 19. These combined efforts are giving young people a chance for a more hopeful future, even as the pandemic creates a crisis within a crisis, both due to the health risks involved and the economic fallout that continues to threaten countless communities throughout the country.
SARC further reported that activities in Dar'a were temporarily suspended; and testing of staff was ongoing. In addition, according to the MoH, of the announced cases, 18 are health workers, including 15 in Damascus, and one each in Aleppo, Rural Damascus, and As Sweida.
On 16 April, WHO EMRO shared information indicating a man from Al Hasakeh City who had been admitted to Qamishli National Hospital on 27 March had sadly died on 2 April.
In NES  ( as of 8 May ) , sectors are working to establish isolation centers in identified camps and informal sites, and external referrals are being explored for moderate cases. In Ar Raqqa, an isolation ward is being set up at the National Hospital, and a quarantine center at Hawari Bu Median school in Ar Raqqa city. On 20 April, NGOs opened a first phase  ( 60 beds )  of a 120 bed hospital in a repurposed factory building outside Al Hasakeh; three ambulances are stationed there.
The SNFI Cluster is actively coordinating with the Health and WASH Clusters to respond to the needs of the IDP population in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. SNFI aims to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 during distributions, to improve the conditions of inadequate shelters and decongest overcrowded collective shelters.
A COVID 19 test was later reported as positive. On 29 April, authorities in NES announced they had detected two additional COVID 19 cases through their own laboratory capacity. Further information indicates that local authorities in NES also confirmed an additional three cases, all from the same residential area, who have since recovered. Local authorities have not reported any further cases in NES since early May.
Local COVID Committees continue to be established in Hasakeh, Qamishli, Menbij, Ain al Arab  ( Kobane ) , Raqqa and Deir ez Zor. These committees are led by the local health committee, with the support of health NGOs present in the area, and are intended to i )  ensure overall coherence in terms of the Case Management approach implemented across NES; ii )  ensure that dedicated COVID 19 facilities are identified and fully integrated under the referral mechanisms established and; iii )  oversee early detection, case investigation and contact tracing activities in given areas.
[ 9th October North West syria ]  Health authorities have recorded today 91 new coronavirus cases in north western Syria, which is under the control of HTS and Turkish backed factions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
To help enhance the continuity of non communicable diseases  ( NCD )  quality of care and support during COVID 19, 59 health staff from 16 PHCs across NWS were provided NCD/PEN refresher training last week. In addition to the 16 PHCs provided with essential NCD drugs and supplies, funding has been secured to equip 48 PHCs with 48 NCD kits for the COVID 19 response
The humanitarian situation for people in northwest Syria has remained severe as the impact of COVID 19 preventative measures and the rapid devaluation of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  have added additional strain on the population. Since early June 2020, the value of the SYP began to decline rapidly, losing half of its value within a month and reaching new historical lows. This most recent devaluation resulted in massive price increases, triggering shortages of food and other key supplies in markets. Of the 4.1 million people living in northwest Syria, 2.7 million people are estimated to be internally displaced. Some 780,000 of the nearly 1 million people displaced between December 2019 and early March 2020 are estimated to remain in displacement. Overall, more than 1.4 million IDPs are living in IDP camps and settlements in precarious conditions and 80 percent of these individuals are women and children.
WHO is providing support to five out of seven designated COVID 19 hospitals and ICU isolation treatment centres in NWS, among which the three hospitals currently considered functioning  ( Dana hospital with capacity for 10 ICU beds, 20 hospital beds, and four ventilators, and Idleb Internal Medicine Hospital with seven ICU beds and three ventilators and Kafartakharim with 10 ICU beds, 20 hospital beds and 10 ventilators ) . WHO is accelerating the agreement to support Al Zira'a hospital with a capacity of 10 ICU beds and 15 beds for inpatient care services.
The enhancement of laboratory and case investigation capacity across Syria remains a priority, as does the timely communication of all information relevant to the safeguarding of public health.
Suspension of schools due to COVID 19 impacted on the quality of children's education. Use of schools by as shelters for displaced people continues to have a negative impact on children's access to education services.
It was further reported that humanitarian personnel with a quarantine certificate issued in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq  ( KRI )  do not have to undergo quarantine upon entering NES, if entry is within 48 hours of leaving quarantine in KRI.
International repatriation flights landing in Damascus and Lattakia international airports from multiple locations are ongoing with approximately 2,690 people repatriated so far – out of a reported 10,000 registered.
o Six FSL Cluster members distributed 27,189 Emergency Food Baskets to reach 135,947 people; o Eight FSL Cluster members distributed 32,061 ready to eat  ( RTE )  rations to 160,306 people;
In NWS  ( as of 10 May ) , supplies delivered to northern Syria include 10,000 latex gloves, 200 goggles, 10,000 surgical masks, 500 N95 Masks, 900 face shields and 1,400 gowns. Out of these supplies, WHO has equipped one isolation unit and one community based isolation  ( CBI )  centre with 300 N95 masks, 550 face shields, 925 protective gowns, 130 protective googles, 6,400 examination gloves, and 6,500 surgical masks.
International commercial passenger flights remain suspended however domestic commercial cargo and passenger flights are ongoing.
The Cluster lead agency has prepositioned sufficient food to meet the needs of more than 1.3 million people for more than two months. The Cluster lead agency has more than 237,000 RTEs ready to respond to some 1.2 million people, with stocks strategically positioned in different warehouses managed by partners in northwest Syria
In NES local authorities continue to provide exemptions for humanitarian goods and personnel at the Fishkabour/Semalka informal border crossing. As indicated in previous reports on 13 July local authorities closed all border crossing points to NES as a precautionary measure against COVID 19. Humanitarian personnel, students and medical cases are reported to be exempt but subject to a 14 day quarantine on arrival.
In May, some 960,000 people benefited from bread assistance programmes by FSL partners across 16 subdistricts in northwest Syria. Some 50 percent of beneficiaries were in Dana and Maaret Tamsrin sub districts.
As of 10 August, the Syrian MoH reported 21,070 tests had been conducted by the Central Public Health Laboratory  ( CPHL )  in Damascus and the public health laboratories in Aleppo, Lattakia and Homs.
AMMAN  The novel coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  case load in Syria has significantly spiked in the last two months, reaching 580 cases and 32 deaths across the country at the time of publishing, a 350 percent increase from the beginning of June.
Protection issues are reportedly on the rise as the situation for people in northwest Syria grows more desperate, with increasing psychosocial stress, poverty and lack of employment opportunities compounded by the effects of COVID 19 related limitations. Significant increases in different types of gender based violence  ( GBV )  are being reported, particularly incidences of domestic violence such as marital rape, physical and emotional violence and denial of resources, with girls and women with disabilities and pregnant women especially vulnerable.
As of 17 August, no new cases of COVID 19 have been identified in NWS, while one new recovery was reported in A'zaz. In total, 51 cases have been identified, comprising 44 recoveries and seven active cases. Of the active cases, one is in Idleb district in Idleb governorate, while six are in northern Aleppo governorate, including three in A'zaz, one in Al Bab, one in Afrin, and one in Jebel Saman. None of the confirmed cases have been hospitalized. Among all cases, 22  ( 43 per cent )  are healthcare workers. Among the cases, 29 were males and 22 were females. The mean age of cases is 32 years old, while two cases are under five years of age and two cases are over 60 years of age.
A gap of 139,000 people remain unreached by food assistance, with 309,000 out of 448,000 people targeted for food assistance reached between 8 June and 8 July.
Since the beginning of 2020, the SCHF has allocated US$ 163 million to support the humanitarian response in northwest Syria, complementary to other bilateral and multilateral funding.
Four COVID 19 cases have been identified in northwest Syria as of 12 July, with two cases in Idleb governorate and two cases in northern Aleppo governorate. Contact tracing was activated following the first positive result from the polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  test.
The current testing rate in Syria is 1027 tests per million people, according to the Syrian Ministry of Health and local authorities in north Syria, which puts Syria in eighth from last place for COVID 19 testing globally, just above Mali.
Since 23 July local authorities have issued further directives aimed at curbing the spread of COVID 19. This includes a full curfew in Jazeera Canton, Al Hasakeh from 6 August for a period of at least two weeks, as well as bans on mass gatherings and movement restrictions between towns, cities and districts; the closure of all non essential shops/services, all local authority departments and limits on the operating hours of nonessential medical services to four hours per day
In NWS, a total of 656 contacts were identified, of which 0 were identified as new in the past 24 hours. Among the contacts, samples were collected from 371 individuals, with 0 new contacts sampled in the past 24 hours. A total 4,611 samples were collected from NWS  ( Aleppo 2,110 and Idleb 2,501 )  of which 4,605 samples have been tested by RT PCR, with 6 pending. Total number of new samples collected in the past 24 hours was 79  ( Aleppo 27 and Idleb 52 ) . As of 17 August 2020, total 2,523 samples have been tested since reporting of the first case from NWS, with a test positivity rate of 2.0 per cent.
In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, expanding and establishing camps is essential to decongest overcrowded sites while ensuring that services are available in the new locations. Establishing and reinforcing camp management is also required. The CCCM Cluster's multisectoral service monitoring factsheet for May indicates that out of 907 sites hosting more than 1.2 million displaced people, camp management is not available in 515 sites.
WHO and UNICEF are incorporating RCCE sessions in all COVID 19 trainings for front line workers. Also in the reporting period, UNICEF supported Newborn Care at Home workshops in five northern governorates including COVID 19 awareness, in addition to four group awareness sessions and door to door visits on COVID 19 and nutrition
UNFPA also continues to conduct awareness raising in its reproductive health clinics and mobile teams in 13 governorates. In addition, UNHCR report that in the reporting period, 2,421 outreach volunteers reached approximately 40,506 people across 13 governorates on awareness raising, including more than 1,900 physical visits, with appropriate precautions, to the most vulnerable individuals in need of support who could not be reached through other modalities.
As for AA held northeastern Syria, the area has had seven cases of COVID 19 thus far. AA territories had its only death from COVID 19 on April 2, but the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria  ( AA )  was not notified by the WHO or Damascus of the death until two weeks later, impairing its ability to conduct contact tracing
At the same time, testing in northwest Syria is limited, and there have only been 3,071 tests conducted thus far in the area
In contribution to the Health Cluster response plan, 316 tents were provided to be used as triage stations in the health facilities in northwest Syria, and soap and washing powder continue to be included in the NFI kits. Hygiene measures, in line with recommended WASH practices specific for COVID 19, are promoted during assistance distributions to reduce the risk of transmission.
Facilitating the relocation of displaced people from overcrowded reception centres to sites where physical distancing and hygiene practices are feasible is a priority.
• The COVID 19 outbreak created additional burdens on Cluster members to mitigate the risk of transmission. These specific procedures require additional time, staff, efforts and cost in order to ensure appropriate risk mitigations are applied.
Al Bukamal Al Quaem crossing is reported to be still closed from the Syrian side, and Ras al Ain border crossing also remains closed except in limited circumstances. Tabqa crossing point is reported as currently open to commercial and humanitarian cargo, and medical cases and students are also reported allowed to cross with a 14 day quarantine on arrival
The humanitarian situation for the 4.1 million people living in northwest Syria remains dire. The impacts of displacement, military operations, security hazards and nine years of conflict are increasingly exacerbated by the rapid devaluation of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  and the COVID 19 pandemic
The ability to test for the coronavirus is also limited, as there are only two PCR machines in AA controlled territories, which were sent by Iraqi Kurdistan on April 12. Previously, the AA had to send samples to Damascus to make a diagnosis, a process that, best case scenario, takes over a week
As of 25 July, 23 people with COVID 19 have been identified in northwest Syria, with the first positive result recorded in Bab Al Hawa on 9 July. Of these cases, some are in the Idleb area while the remaining are in northern Aleppo governorate. Since 9 July, five patients have recovered while other cases remain active. Contact tracing is ongoing for all positive cases and health partners are focusing on interrupting virus transmissions and reducing secondary infections.
In NES local authorities continue to provide exemptions for humanitarian goods and personnel at the Fishkabour/Semalka informal border crossing. While in May to mid June, Fishkabour/Semalka had been opened periodically for returns of Syrian nationals, with an estimated 1,216 Syrian refugees returning from Iraq to Syria during that time, local authorities recently announced that from 13 July, all border crossing points to NES will close as a precautionary measure against COVID 19
Comprehensive life saving water, sanitation and hygiene  ( WASH )  services are still needed across all WASH services and supplies  ( including but not limited to hygiene kits, Jerry cans and water storage capacity )  in northwest Syria. • In both formal and informal settlements and camps, there is an important need to increase safe water supply and hygiene kits, including soap to mitigate against diarrheal and other communicable diseases, including COVID 19.
Highlighting both the collapse of the Syrian economy and the rising number of COVID 19 cases across the country, including within camps for internally displaced persons, he asked for the Council's continued support in terms of humanitarian access to those in need of relief, and sustaining sanctions waivers to ensure access to food and essential medical supplies.
Health actors remain particularly concerned by the spread of COVID 19 in northern Syria due to the weak health care system and large IDP population residing in congested camps with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene  ( WASH )  conditions and limited access to health care services.