nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
7 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 66 fatalities of host community members. 67 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 493 host community members. 5,548 Rohingya and Bangladeshi mothers and caregivers received counselling on infant and young child feeding practices in the COVID 19 context.
Over 60 percent traders said that their sales volumes had decreased by 25 50 percent due to COVID 19. • Three of ten traders reported that they may not be able to sustain operations beyond six months with seven of ten saying they would be able to continue at this rate beyond a year.
Vulnerabilites: Food shortage/security, resulting in malnutrition and increased household management pressure; • Domestic violence, abuse, forced labour and trafficking, increased demand for unpaid care responsibility at home due to lock down, social distancing, isolation, school closures, reduced basic services and work from home arrangements
Shelter/NFI Sector partners continued to provide NFI packages, including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, rope, and some solar lamps, to households with older persons. Out of 28,325 households with older persons, Shelter/NFI Sector provided 3,807 households with NFIs at distribution points and made home .deliveries of NFIs to 1,401 households without caretakers. Shelter/NFI Sector partners also distributed 20 NFI packages including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen utensils, to quarantine centres.
For community feedback/ complaints, 77 information service centres in the camps and 4 information service centres in the host community were operational. CwC WG published its 12th COVID 19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement Update, including 7 new audio messages developed by partners.
Child Protection Case Management Technical Working Group organised a webinar for 50 staff on remote case management to support quality child protection services in the camps. GBV SS partners supported 172 refugees through a remote case management service, which is now available to the Rohingya community through trained community based volunteers.
Working with the RRRC and Camp in Charge  ( CiC )  officials, the Site Management and Site Development  ( SMSD )  Sector teams provided critical support in locating space for new Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centres  ( SARI ITCs ) . SMSD teams have supported mosques in the identification of additional sites for safe and dignified burials.
Following government lockdown measures in March 2020, households in the host community reported immediate impact such as reduced purchasing power and diminished quality of diet in April 2020.
Restrictions on the movement of goods and people, supply chain disruptions, and heightened demand led to an increase in the price of staple food commodities  ( rice, lentils, oil, vegetables )  by between 20% and 50%
Child marriage rates for Cox's Bazar specifically are unavailable, but the prevalence of poverty, exacerbated by COVID 19 containment measures and the temporary suspension of schools, is likely to lead to an increase in child marriage.
The extension of chlorinated water networks, or an increase in daily operation of existing networks, is essential to increase safe water coverage and availability. Access to adequate sanitation remains a challenge in the camps, mainly due to the lack of space and the need for constant maintenance and improvements to sanitation facilities. While coverage averages 20 persons per latrine, only 78 percent are functioning. Critical sanitation activities include maintaining bathing facilities, with each bathing space serving an average of 40 persons, fecal sludge management units and solid waste management.
Hygiene promotion focusing on COVID 19 is being strengthened to increase awareness of the routes of contamination and disease prevention measures, including addressing misconceptions and adapting social norms. The distribution of hygiene kits, soaps and aquatabs is being increased to enable people to keep themselves safe.
To mitigate virus transmission, hand washing points have been installed in strategic places, and these will be increased, as will disinfection through spraying of chlorine solution on WASH infrastructure and communal spaces.
COVID 19 has severely impacted on livelihoods, makingit impossible for local households receiving LPG to purchase their own refills as anticipated.
[ 24 March, Cox's Bazar ]  On 24th March 2020, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner  ( RRRC )   ( based in Cox's Bazar )  released a statement defining the essential and critical activities in all 34 camps in Cox's Bazar for COVID 19.The statement defined education as a non essential activity. This resulted in severely restricted access for UN and NGO staffs and the closure of learning facilities. This closure means that the education sector closed nearly 6,000 education facilities across the camps for the foreseeable future, disrupting learning of over 325,000 children  ( of which, 49 per cent are girls and adolescents; aged 3 to  24 years )  and cutting off their access to education.
In the last three weeks the number of tests conducted for the Rohingya refugees continued to increase  ( 1385, 1485 and 1803 per one million population ) . Positivity rate is now between 1 2%. Similarly, an increase in testing per million continued to be observed in the host community  ( 459, 658 and 684 )  during the same period.
SSHC supported the most vulnerable populations across Cox's Bazar, targeting over a half million people in the host community from April 2020. WFP provided in kind rice, high energy biscuits, pulses, oil and cash distribution of 4,500 BDT  ( USD 53 ) .
WFP also provided life saving food assistance to 4,500 individuals at government supported isolation/treatment centers and hospitals. All SSHC distributions are planned to be completed by October 2020.
Vunerabilities: Disruption in accessing essential and life saving health services • Poor access to basic health and other social sector services • Lack of access to social protection, including a community based support system. • Food shortage/security, resulting in malnutrition and increased household management pressure. • Lack of care
WHO continues to support partners as co facilitators on a cascade of trainings conducted remotely and on site to enhance COVID 19 preparedness. To date, training for Infection, Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  has been provided to 1727 humanitarian health care workers from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection  ( SARI )  ITC partners and 800 government facilities.
Urgent early action is being taken to protect lives in Bangladesh as floods threaten 4.1 million people in large areas across the country that are already grappling with COVID 19. The Global Flood Awareness System  ( GLOFAS )  has issued a flood forecast with a more than 50 per cent probability of a severe 1 in 10 year flood submerging some areas of Bangladesh for at least three days.
Protection Sector partners continued to raise awareness on COVID 19 by mobilizing the community. During the week, imams conducted 1,521 information sessions for 25,247 individuals during daily prayers, the Friday sermon, and in neighbourhoods. Female preachers also raised awareness in neighbourhoods, Talim sheds  ( a community place for gathering ) , and at water points.
There has been an easing of some lockdown measures in Cox's Bazar District. UNHCR and its partners continue to follow guidelines set by Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner  ( RRRC )  on the critical activities that are permitted in the camps
CwC WG partners organized 14 cascade training sessions on COVID 19 with 128 staff and volunteers. CwC WG partners reached 262,040 people in the camps and host communities with key COVID 19 messages through community engagement activities, including 57,215 neighbourhood based sessions; 17,279 community consultation meetings; 741 listening group sessions; 437 video/film viewings; and 9,503 sessions led by religious leaders.
cAs a key measure for preventing the transmission of COVID 19, 713,088 Rohingya refugees and 489,135 vulnerable Bangladeshi individuals were provided with a total of 2,404,446 reusable masks  ( 2 per person )  as of 10 September.
CwC WG partners organised COVID 19 awareness announcements via loudspeakers/megaphones in 21 camps. For receiving community feedback and complaints, 103 information service centres in the camps and 4 information service centres in the host communities were operational. 3 new audio messages and 1 video on COVID 19 were developed by CwC WG partners.
As part of the COVID 19 response, FSS partners distributed vegetable seeds for micro gardening to 5,533 Rohingya households in 25 camps and provided inputs for aquaculture to 2,000 Rohingya households in 3 camps. In the host communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf, FSS partners provided agricultural inputs and training for aquaculture and poultry raising to 1,925 Bangladeshi households whose socio economic situation was affected by the pandemic.
During the week, Shelter/NFI Sector partners distributed 15 NFI kits including blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen utensils, to quarantine centres in Nayapara and Camp 4 Extension.
In order to promote Rohingya community engagement in the COVID 19 response, SMSD Sector partners organized two meetings with 12 women committee members and eight youth committee members in Camp 8E to discuss the risks of human trafficking during the COVID 19 pandemic
SMSD teams also organized 14 prevention against sexual exploitation and abuse  ( PSEA )  trainings for 223 new Rohingya and host community volunteers, including 48 women. SMSD Sector partners collaborated with the Registration Team to organize meetings with representatives from diverse committees including imams, older persons, women, and youth to discuss and receive community feedback on the reopening of registration sites in the camps, registration procedures, and new schedules.
During the week, 1,068 Burmese Language Instructors  ( BLIs )  and 773 educational facilitators disseminated COVID19 awareness messaging in the camps through audio clips to 60,768 children and 20,155 parents, community members and caregivers. 1,546 BLIs and facilitators provided at home educational support, explaining learning materials and activities to 60,768 learners.
On the occasion of World No Child labour day on 12 June, several events including community radio messaging on anti child labour in the context of COVID 19 were broadcasted and more than 3 million people were reached. There is a growing concern of the increase in cases of child labour in Bangladesh in the wake of COVID 19.
Vunerabilities: Reduction in economic activities, especially in sector such as contribution, transportation, agriculture, trading etc. and limited income earning opportunities. • Engagement in informal sector, with no Computerized National Identity Card  ( CNIC )  social security or any other registration to participate in and benefit from social protection packages.
GiHA WG members conducted awareness raising and outreach consultations on the gendered impacts of COVID 19, targeting Rohingya women and girls, including older persons and persons with disabilities. As part of the consultations, GiHA WG rolled out self care and psychosocial support modules targeting women to address the gendered impacts on mental health issues during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Vunerabilities: Multiple overlapping vulnerabilities, especially for groups that are already vulnerable • Loss of livelihoods and access to basic services • Higher vulnerability to poverty and ill health
[ October 2020, Bangladesh ]  A total of 38% of women and 49% of men reported that access to latrines and bathing facilities has worsened, while only 5% of both women and men reported that access had improved. Interviews with Rohingya women leaders and volunteers highlighted issues with WASH facilities, especially latrines, some of which are reported to be damaged.
As part of support to sentinel sites' sample collection in the camps, a total of 54 laboratory technicians and other health care workers received training on Biosafety, COVID 19 sample collection and transportation.
101 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 538 host community members. 6,850 Rohingya and Bangladeshi mothers and caregivers were counselled on infant and young child feeding practices in the COVID 19 context.
495 reusable cloth masks distributed. 991 soap distributed. 156 sanitary pads distributed.
Overall, all markets within Cox's Bazar district are running at approximately 50 percent functionality on average, with Ukhia faring marginally better than others for providing with more variety of product choice and having better stock compared to others. • Supply chain functionality in terms of responsiveness and availability of goods is high but low assortment of goods and high price volatility scores across the region has lowered overall market functionality.
• Five out of ten traders reported that consumers are buying less goods than usual, where two out of ten traders said that customers are asking to buy on credit, highlighting continued strains on purchasing power and consumer demand.
• In August, mixed price trends was observed in the markets, with rice price  ( 41–44 BDT/Kg )  continuing to rise in most markets, lentil prices fluctuating week on week, oil price is stable, and price of garlic continues to decline.
In camp markets, slight increase in purchasing power with the partial reopening of economy had positive impact on reduced credit purchase.
[ 1 30th Nov 2020, Bangladesh ]  Refugee: Since the first COVID 19 case was detected in May, the total number of confirmed cases in the Cox's Bazar refugee settlements has reached 356, including 10 deaths
WASH Sector partners reached 300,791 individuals through a neighbourhoodbased approach and 147,928 individuals through mass media with COVID 19 awareness messages in host and Rohingya communities. In the camps, WASH Sector partners provided soap to 29,225 households and family hygiene kits to 676 households, and installed a total of 3,535 hand washing stations  ( HWS ) , including 350 HWS with stools and buckets at household level, 1,142 HWS in public spaces, and 2,043 tippy taps in public places and near toilet facilities
Nutrition Sector partners trained around 4,599 Rohingya mothers and 612 Rohingya pregnant women on measuring Mid Upper Arm Circumference  ( MUAC )  and referring children to the nearest integrated nutrition facilities. In the host community, Nutrition Sector partners reached 11,500 caregivers with COVID 19 awareness messages. Partners also counselled around 1,621 Rohingya and 3,927 Bangladeshi mothers and caregivers on infant and young child feeding practices in emergencies, particularly in the COVID 19 context.Nutrition Sector identified 42 children and 4 pregnant and lactating women with suspected COVID 19 cases at nutrition facilities in the camps and referred them to health facilities.
79 confirmed COVID 19 cases in the refugee camps, and 3,678 cases in the host community. 7 Rohingya refugees in quarantine who were in contact with a COVID 19 suspected or confirmed case, and 1,040 host community members.1,500 COVID 19 samples per day now possible, following the installation of a third PCR machine in the IEDCR laboratory in Cox's Bazar.
Cox's Bazar is ranked eighth20 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh for composite21 risk of exposure to COVID 19. High population density areas of the district are susceptible to the spread of COVID 19, as physical distancing becomes challenging. Persistent gender inequality and gender based violence could worsen with lockdown measures. There is need to scale up the number of isolation and ICU beds in the District
There are about 325,764 refugee children and youth between the ages of 3 to 24 who need education services, including early childhood development  ( ECCD ) , basic education, and youth vocational training. Due to the closure of all learning centres to mitigate the spread of COVID 19, children and youth do not have access to learning, creating the need to provide distance learning alternatives.
Terms of trade remains to be unfavourable for demand for fresh foods and their steady increased price. On the other hand, price of chicken is decreasing and stabilizing. • Rice, eggs and oil are being sold from assistance in lower prices. • Re establishment of the livelihoods activities continues to remain as the topmost concerns right now. • Wearing of mask has increased in the camps and the evoucher shops, which provided the refugees with increased sense of safety.
6 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 61 host community members. 26 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 604 host community members. 9,868 Rohingya refugees including 5,771 females reached with awareness messaging on GBV during the COVID 19 pandemic.
[ October 2020, Cox's Bazar ]  WHO delivered 40 cartridges of X ray films to support the Ukhiya Health Complex to strengthen diagnosis and management of NCDs. • The Health Sector coordination team distributed 850 pairs of gynaecological gloves for obstetric complications, 40 bottles of doppler gel, two reproductive health kits to support facility delivery, and 40 Sexual Reproductive Health flip charts for use by Community Health Workers  ( CHWs ) .A total of 145 oxygen concentrators were distributed to eight district Upazila health complexes, as well as 78,900 Personal Preventive Equipment  ( PPE )  items and nine cholera kits.
6 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 51 host community members. 40 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 626 host community members . 32,295 Rohingya refugee households were provided with soap distribution and/or hygiene kits.
The key findings were: a )  masking behavior: respondents were not clear about the instructions on wearing masks and had not internalized the importance of it. The reasons indicated for not wearing masksincluded that other people would not wear a mask, that they feel uncomfortable, and that they could not afford them
A total of 15 organizations, including WFP and recently joined FAO, contribute to the RCCE 4Ws monitoring matrix. In addition to general awareness messages, the RCCE partners have heavily focused on messages regarding the secondary effects of COVID 19. Several SMS messages on child welfare and mental health were sent out and reached approximately 13 million people
Risk communication and community engagement: Number of people reached on COVID 19 through messaging on prevention and access to services 76,000,000 Number of people engaged on COVID 19 through RCCE actions 50,312,083Number of people sharing their concerns and asking questions/clarifications for available support services to address their needs through established feedback mechanisms 2,955,173
The third series of the online survey on how COVID 19 affected the lives of women and children in rural and urban locations was conducted and reached approximately 926 participants. The average age of the respondents was 38 years old and 31 per cent were female. Approximately 56 per cent of the parents worried about their children's education. Nearly two thirds of the children surveyed were engaged in some sort of digital learning activity. Women expressed experiencing increased stress at home.
14 per cent of the respondents do not know what to do if they observe the symptoms of COVID19. Another 14 per centreported that they would go to hospital if they had any symptoms. ● 9 percent of the respondents have called the COVID 19 helpline number. Respondents from urban slums were most likely to call the helpline  ( 15 per cent )  followed by urban  ( 10 )  and rural  ( 8 ) . ● Among those who said they have called the COVID 19 helpline number, 48 per cent reported that they did not receive any response or help from the helpline.
A significant increase in the number of COVID 19 samples collected in the refugee camps was reported during the week  ( some 357 tests recorded compared to 43 tests recorded in the last week of June ) . The increase is due to comprehensive efforts led by the Health Sector, with close support from CWC WG and other Sectors to increase awareness and understanding of COVID 19 testing and treatment options
59 confirmed COVID 19 cases in the Rohingya refugee camps, and 3,045 cases in the host community . 13 Rohingya refugees in quarantine who were in contact with a COVID 19 suspect or confirmed case, and 1,214 host community members. 1,273 Rohingya refugee households with older persons provided with NonFood Items.
44 suspected COVID 19 cases were referred to health facilities from nutrition facilities in the camps. 91 COVID 19 samples from the host community were transported for COVID 19 testing by Nutrition Sector partners in Moheskhali.
6 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 42 host community members. 34 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 1,032 host community members. 331,000 Rohingya refugees and host community members reached with 662,000 reusable cloth masks
123 confirmed COVID 19 cases in the refugee camps, and 4,012 cases in the host community. 8 Rohingya refugees in quarantine who were in contact with a COVID19 suspected or confirmed case, and 942 host community members. 40,462 vulnerable households in the host community affected by the COVID19 pandemic received unconditional food assistance.
6 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 64 fatalities of host community members. 59 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 523 host community members. 63,313 Rohingya learners received household level educational support, where learning materials and activities were explained.
In the face of the COVID 19 pandemic, people living in these flooded areas are now losing their crops and becoming cut off from the supply of daily necessities. In a situation where people do not even have enough food or safe drinking water, it is very difficult to stay protected from COVID 19. Yet coronavirus is not the only threat to the lives of children. The greatest fear among parents during the flood is drowning of children in the swelling flood waters and surrounding water bodies.
The current flood has come at a time when Bangladesh is still recovering from the ravage left by the Cyclone Amphan, and its already stretched emergency and health response systems are struggling to contain the spread of the COVID 19 virus
In a country like Bangladesh, where millions of people are living below the poverty line and are fighting to make ends meet during this crisis, monsoon floods can cause the loss of even more lives due to starvation. To make matters worse, the risk of contracting COVID 19 is higher in the crowded shelters to which people are relocating.
In response to this situation, UNICEF promoted messaging on flood awareness and the safety of children, and the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in shelters through community radio. UNICEF is also working with the Government and NGO partners on the ground to provide hygiene kits to help people stay safe from COVID 19 and other diseases.
The Joint Needs Assessmen undertaken on 20 22 July 2020, has identified water, food and protection as the immediate needs of people. UNICEF supported the Department of Public Health Engineering to distribute safe water via water purification tablets and sachets, and disinfectants, while tube wells and latrines are being repaired or newly installed.
5 Rohingya refugee fatalities due to COVID 19, and 35 host community members. 31 Rohingya refugees in isolation who are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19, and 1,390 host community members. 79,446 Rohingya households received COVID 19 education support from Burmese Language Instructors.
Misinformation and rumour tracking; Posts on accurate information sources and countering misinformation are currently being shared on RCCE platforms including: a post on the UNICEF Bangladesh page, whichreached 7 million people and informed followers that no cure/vaccine for COVID 19 has been invented, to check information with official sources or factcheckers like BOOM Bangladesh before sharing, and not taking medicine without consulting a doctor; a video message from child influencer Subha Shizda on checking information sources and tackling misinformation.
A two day training on Digital Literacy was held on 14 15 June with a total of 25 female students from 2 regional universities. Participants were trained on different aspects of digital content making that promote gender equality and counters hate speech with a focus on identifying, protecting against and reporting fake news and hate speech in the COVID 19 context. At the end of the training, participants were able to create their own online videos that promoted gender equality and social cohesion while combating misogyny and hate speech in social media.
The Minister of Finance announced an increased budget for social protection in FY2020 2021, which is now at 16.18 per cent of the total budget and 3.01 per cent of GDP.
The RCCE pillaris providing communication support to the Community Support Team  ( CST )  initiative, led by DGHS in collaboration with FAO, UNFPA, BRAC, UNICEF and other partners. A set of communication materials that included posters, leaflets, sticklers, local and mosque miking scripts has been developed and shared with the partners. The initiative consists of a local community health worker from the government, a local BRAC Shasthya Kormi, and a member from the Union Digital Centre entrepreneur/platform volunteer from the community
IOM continues to provide support and counselling to callers to the hotline for migrants, accessed through www.probashihelpline.com. Most of the requests for telemedicine support are received from migrants in Gulf Cooperation Council countries while previously most requests came from Malaysia and Singapore. A 9 total of 4,011 migrants contacted the helpline directly or through Facebook Messenger. The helpline staff noted an increase of 35 per cent on post engagement after posts were shared related to resumptions of flights and notices from the Government of Bangladesh. Posts related to flights reached 44,898 users.
Violence against women and children hasincreased by 31 per cent in Bangladeshdue to COVID 19, a study by the Manusher Jonno Foundation suggests. To this end, UNICEF's case management and follow up reached 212,627 children from March to June. UNICEF provided psychosocial support  ( PSS )  for 53,367 children  ( boys 33,207 and girls 20,160 ) , 260 children with disabilities, and 14,916 parents  ( male 8,584 and 6,332 female ) .
During the past two weeks, the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team  ( HCTT )  continued to provide complementary support to the Health Emergency Response. In parallel, the humanitarian community is implementing the Humanitarian Response Plan for Cyclone Amphan. Updated 4Ws report and a Monitoring Dashboard report were issued. The UN's Central Emergency Response Fund  ( CERF )  allocated US$ 5 million to complement the Government's response to the people in need.
To save lives, the dissemination of accurate and reliable information is essential to stop transmission and prevent the spread of the virus. Since March, IOM teams and trained community volunteers organized over 1.9 million awareness raising sessions; messages include information on protection, prevention, treatment, and quarantine.
Other forms of PSS reached 84,532 children, while the Child Helpline reached 59,819 children during the reporting period. With the continued lockdown and children not in school there is need for robust case management services to reach the most vulnerable families.
In recent months, IOM and partners invited community and religious leaders to participate in “Go and See' visits to build confidence in treatment and quarantine facilities. Community perceptions influence the uptake of health services and determine the success of crisis interventions
Since March, IOM has constructed three Severe Acute Respiratory Infection  ( SARI )  Isolation and Treatment Centres  ( ITCs )  for patients with COVID 19 with a total capacity of 215 beds. IOM has also upgraded 13 additional health care facilities, scaled up the emergency Dispatch and Referral Unit  ( DRU )  for ambulance and live bed referral, and provided over 200,000 general health consultations at IOM managed Primary Health Care Centres  ( PHCCs )  and Health Posts  ( HP )  for refugee and host communities.
In the early days of the pandemic, it became apparent that while physical distancing was being mandated by governments across the world, it would just not work in Cox's Bazar where households live in such proximity to one another. IOM and partners are mobilizing funding to build ITCs so ill members of the community can receive the treatment they need, and to refurbish/build quarantine facilities for potential contacts of confirmed cases to contain the spread of the virus.
Bangladesh faces critical humanitarian needs and the COVID 19 crisis is aggravated by the return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who have lost their jobs due to the COVID 19 induced recession. The large scale, rapid return of migrant workers is placing added strain on already overwhelmed healthcare and social support systems.
Because of this growing violence against women and children, there is a strong demand for strengthening the social workforce that delivers protection services during COVID 19. Deaths of social workers due to COVID 19 have been reported and there continues to be an imminent need to ensure their protection as they provide child protection interventions. UNICEF provided personal protection to approximately 500 social workers.
Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Government of Bangladesh, celebrated the inauguration of a new Cash Based Intervention  ( CBI )  programme to support vulnerable Bangladeshi families in the Cox's Bazar District.
The programme supports 16,887 families as part of the existing social protection programme of the Government of Bangladesh through cash from the Bangladesh Post Office. A further 19,000 targeted families have been selected for emergency cash assistance through ‘Mobile Money', following assessments conducted in early 2020, using a combination of socio economic criteria. More than 5,600 families have already received their first instalments.
UNICEF continues working with the Supreme Court Committee on Child Rights and the Ministry of Law and as a result of this, more children in detention have been released and reunified with their families as judges continue virtual court proceedings. A cumulative total number of 489 children were released out of which 460 were re unified. However, there are concerns that these children may engage in criminal activities due to economic hardships as a result COVID 19. UNICEF will continue to work with the police in promoting diversion for kids released from jail.
During May to June 2020, about 70 per cent of the population in Jamalpur, Sherpur and Tangail districts was reached with breastfeeding, complementary feeding including Breast Milk Substitute, maternal nutrition and adult nutrition messages in the context of COVID 19
[ 30 September, Cox's Bazar ] UNHCR supported SARI ITCs in Ukhiya and Kutupalong as well as an ICU in Sadar District hospital have provided some 400 patients from the camps and the host community with support and care to date. As of 30 September, nearly 300 patients were successfully treated and discharged. During September, the SARI ITCs were also provided with five portable ventilators to enable safe referral of critical patients to the ICU in the District hospital.
[ February 2021, Bangladesh ] PEOPLE IN NEED / TARGETED115,735 households 629,297 individuals
The flood situation is deteriorating at a time when many are still reeling from the shock of Cyclone Amphan that damaged houses, crops and infrastructure last May. The pandemic has made the situation even more challenging to respond. Many roads and bridges are cut off and hundreds of thousands of people are now stranded. Many have moved to boats as temporary abode given the consistent rise of water levels.
UNFPA has also engaged in the Community Support Team Initiative, with a focus on identifying pregnant and lactating mothers and to connect them with local obstetricians and gynecologists
Save the Children continues to support frontline health service providers through phone calls, to provide care and support facility deliveries. So far, 886 phone calls have been made to health care staff working in rural Upazilla Health Complexes nationwide. They are also supporting mothers in Dhaka City Corporation by sending COVID 19 health awareness text messages to their mobile phones. A total of 828 mothers have so far been receiving messages.
Plan International distribute IEC material on safe delivery, menstrual health management, pregnancy care and psychosocial support to women and girls living in union or village level at Hatibandha in the Rangpur division. In the same area, they are distributing PPE to health service providers, to ensure continuity of care, including SRH services.
CARE Bangladesh continues to provide SRHR services. To date, 8,216 women and girls have received health care during the COVID 19 crisis.
The Department of Public Health Engineering  ( DPHE )  and WASH Cluster members continually work to ensure hygiene practices are followed at personal and community levels across the country. During the 11 reporting period, WASH Cluster membersinstalled 767 hand washing stations with provision of soap and water to promote handwashing practices at community level
These 20 minutes long classes on various subjects are prepared based on the national curriculum and grades. According to UNICEF estimates, 60 percent out of 41.89 million students have access to remote learning. In addition, the champion teachers are conducting live classes through Facebook pages of teacher's portal
. Key findings of this study were that 14 percent of students are not studying at home and 44 percent of them  ( mostly from Madrasa and from rural areas )  are not getting any direction/support from schools. When asked whether they are taking part in the classes aired through Sangsad TV or online, 56 percent of students reported that they are not taking part in these distant learning classes. The lower participation in distant learning was mainly from ethnic minorities, Madrasa students, children with disabilities, and those living in rural areas.
BDRCS Response Highlights: 142,258 Surgical masks distributed among field staff, volunteers, and selected people including Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals  ( FDMN ) . 170 People received support through Psychosocial Support Call Center.
As of June 18, 2020, 41.89 million students in Bangladesh lost 19 percent of their school days  ( 44 out of 229 in a year ) . To minimize and recover the learning loss, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Mass and Primary Education  ( MoPME )  and Ministry of Education  ( MoE )  to support the learning engagement through TV, Radio, Mobile and Internet. 22 remote classes are conducted daily and over 100 classes a week of different streams are broadcasted for pre primary to secondary grades, including students of Madrasah and Technical and Vocational Education and Training
To support students to catch up the learning loss, Plan International Bangladesh, UNICEF, A2I and DSHE started Facebook live classes to continue the education of secondary students. Plan and Sesame jointly developed audio visual contents and public service announcements to educate learners on how to take care of themselves during COVID 19 and make parents conscious about positive parenting.
[ 31st Oct 2020, Bangladesh ]  So far, 2,324,730 tests have been carried out, including 14,141 new tests, and 17.48 percent of them have turned out positive.
On 31 July 2020 it was reported that Bangladesh has ranked in the eighth position among countries with the highest COVID 19 infection rate, according to the statistics of “Our World in Data', a data laboratory affiliated to Oxford University – the country has a gross rate of 20.18 per cent. Amid such COVID 19 situation, health experts warn that there is a significant risk of rising dengue patients during August and September as these two months are usually regarded as the peak of the disease.
The GoB started to phase out the restrictions gradually by reopening government offices, private businesses, banks, factories and resuming public transport services, domestic and international air travels with a condition of following health guidelines. This means that most public spaces and places are open again  ( including all shops, markets, parks and worships )  but requires people to abide by strict physical distancing rules, obligation to wear face masks in public, temperature controls at entrance of all office buildings, shops, and even private buildings.
Before the COVID 19 pandemic situation, BDRCS have planned to implement the awareness activities on health, hygiene and sanitation through mass gathering. But considering the present COVID 19 pandemic situation, it is strictly prohibited to organize any mass gathering.
BDRCS organized two batches of refreshers training11 for its midwives during February 2020; total 66 participants were in attendance from 56 MCH centers of BDRCS. The following key topics were covered through the training: antenatal care; instrument use during pregnancy; normal delivery and video presentation for pregnancy related complicacy; episiotomy, neonatal Care; expanded programme of immunization  ( EPI ) ; family planning; importance of breast feeding and its methods; nutrition for mother and child; psychosocial support/ psychological first aid; noncommunicable diseases and care for aged people; maintenance of MCH centres and reporting; and necessary prevention steps for the COVID 19.
BDRCS Response Highlights: 1,042,908+ People received life saving awareness messages on COVID 19 through social media  ( facebook, twitter, viber )  in August 2020.
BDRCS Response Highlights: 252 COVID 19 infected patients treated through Holy Family Red Crescent Medical Collage Hospital. 37676 Individuals took part in several COVID 19 awareness raising sessions during August 2020.
The following activities depicts BDRCS responses in this regard:  Developed a training guide on Psychological First Aid for Volunteers.  7 people referred to specialized Mental Health services.  22 staff and volunteers reached with Caring for Volunteers activities.
BDRCS volunteers has been working at the entrance of the 60 district Central Jails through respective Unit Offices in order to monitor Infection Prevention & Control  ( IPC )  activities. A total of 240 RCY volunteers are involved in this activity while 9,600 people reached so far with infection control & prevention  ( IPC )  materials and awareness raising message and materials for behavioral change in prisons.
The following activities depicts BDRCS responses in this regard: 2132 people including male, female and children reached through psychosocial support activities through BDRCSs Community Safe Spaces  ( CSS )  at the camp setting in Cox's Bazar.  During the month of August, 12 BDRCS RCYs in Teknaf trained on Basic Psychological First Aid.
390 people  ( male 115, female 275 )  from 4 communities of Jamalpur districts participated in practical sessions on proper hand washing techniques through IRP  5430 beneficiaries reached in person and through cell phone to aware them on COVID 19 by providing health guideline in order to avoid health risk under V2R Barishal project.
Bangladesh has been identified as one of the 20 most vulnerable countries to be affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. Its high population density, poor infrastructure, and low levels of awareness of basic preventive measures culminate in a highly vulnerable and fragile country on the brink of a major crisis, with severe ramifications for public health, the economy and social cohesion.
500pcs of surgical masks were distributed among the field staff, volunteers and participants of refresher training and orientation on “COVID 19 and personal safety' under Costal DRR programme.  BDRCS Received 14,280 surgical masks as gift from Yunan Province handed over by the Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh.
15,600 drinking water bottles  ( 500ml )  distributed among selected COVID 19 dedicated hospitals, test and response centers, Police station, DC office, at several districts.  An inception meeting was organized for the relevant stakeholders of DSCC on ‘Cash Grant & Infection Prevention Control' as part of Emergency COVID 19 Response at Dhaka South City Corporation  ( DSCC )  under COVID 19 response project supported by German RC.
HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT  RCY volunteers provided Oxygen services 20 times to 12 patients in Chattogram.  RCY volunteers of Chattogram Unit assisted “Gausia Committee' to ensure healthcare support provided through Medical camp in Chattogram.
3 batches day long data collection training through Kobo collect app were conducted for 50 volunteers at NHQ in order to select beneficiaries for Multipurpose Cash Grants  ( MPCGs )  support under COVID 19 response project.  Bagerhat and Chattogram district unit RCY volunteers carried out home delivery service for medicines and essential daily products during lockdown in the selected areas.
COVID 19 related information along with other contemporary information shared with IFRC, ICRC, all movement partners, GBV cluster and CP cluster through e mail and cell phone.
As of 31 August, the World Health Organization  ( WHO )  reported close to 4,000 cases of COVID 19 in Cox's Bazar in the host community, and some 100 refugees in the camps have also tested positive. Among the refugee population, 6 have died. To date, the health services put in place have had sufficient capacity to support all patients with COVID 19 and provide medical assistance
Increase in social protection sectorbased budgeting. Increased social safety coverage both vertically and horizontally .Direct cash and expanded food package provision.. Ensure continuity and safe operation, maintenance and use of WASH services.Strengthen protection services that respond to violence, abuse and exploitation of the most vulnerable and marginalised.
71024 Liquified Petroleum Gas  ( LPG )  refills distributed to 71024 Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National  ( FDMN )  families. Apart from this 88 FDMN new families received 88 set stove and LPG cylinder.  7291 families from the host community received 7291 LPG refills and 1589 new families from the host community received 2983 set stove and LPG cylinder.  28098 FDMN families provided with 126953 pcs laundry soap and 253906 pcs bath soap.
2.5 lacs people reached in this reporting through month community radio program.  An orientation module developed on CEA with particular focus on basic concept, feedback mechanism, FCRM committee formation and reporting system.
5210 people participated at awareness session on parenting & childcare and sharing key messages on SGBV and PSEA.  1466 people trained on hygiene practices and COVID 19 awareness session through outreach activities.  90 community consultation meeting held on reusable cloth mask production for COVID 19.
1569 people reached with Integrated Community Based Psychosocial Support and Risk Communication Messages.  560 individuals provided with general Psychosocial First Aid  ( PFA )  services.
35 referral services provided on Gender Based Violence  ( GBV )  and Child Protection.  410 people received messages on COVID 19 through a radio listening group.  760 HHs reached through COVID 19 awareness sessions as part of Risk Communication and Community Engagement.
98 FDMN families received 86 set WASH hygiene kits  28348 FDMN families received 56696 pcs jerry can and 117758 pcs of 3  layer reusable cloth mask  19 set elderly kits distributed to 19 FDMN families. An elderly kit contains sleeping mat, blanket, mosquito net, tarpaulin rope, white kit bag, bath soap and cotton mask
81 bags Core Relief Items  ( CRI )  full kits distributed to 81 FDMN new families. The package includes tarpaulins, kitchen set, blanket, jerry can, bucket, sleeping mat and solar lamp.  15446 set female hygiene kits  ( FHK )  distributed to 10473 FDMN families as per the manifest provided by UNCHR. Besides, 15353 solar lamps were distributed to each family with the hygiene kits
349 people admitted and 214 people released from the quarantine Centre of Nayapara and Kutupalong camps. Among the admitted and released people 258 were males and 305 females. Besides, 168 positive suspected cases  ( male 69 & female 99 )  are staying at the Quarantine Center of camps
In the month of August, MRRO distributed following Non Food Items stated at chart among the refugees resided currently at the quarantine centers in Kutupalang transit, Nayapara, Teknaf and MRRO Cox's Bazar.
BDRCS continues providing awareness raising and life saving messages on COVID 19 through social media  ( Facebook, Twitter, Viber ) . The total reach through different posts altogether by the aforementioned social media accounts counted 1,042,908+ up during 1 31 August 2020 consisting Facebook  ( 817,181+ ) , twitter  ( 28,900+ )  and viber  ( 196,827+ ) .
To date, 208 health professionals from 179 health care facilities in Cox's Bazar have been trained on WASH FIT.
The COVID 19 pandemic1 is affecting 215 countries and territories around the world and has caused at least 668,910 deaths2 as of 31 July 2020. Bangladesh is not exclusive from this situation. The first three cases in Bangladesh were confirmed by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research  ( IEDCR )  on 8 March 2020. Since then the infection curve was in rising trend, only from the end of first week of July the curve started to follow a downward trend with gradual decrease of positive cases. As of 31 July 2020, there are 237,661 confirmed cases in all over the country  ( all 64 districts )  with 3,111 deaths3
As COVID 19 positive cases increase, the GoB on 24 March 2020 declared general holiday  ( lockdown )  and closure of all public and private offices from 26 March to 4 April and restricted all kind of movements, except emergency ones, as containment measures. Considering the evolving situation; the GoB has extended the lockdown five times so far.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic situation and ongoing floods  ( it may continue till end of August ) , the implementation of recovery interventions under this EA might be challenging. In addition, the post monsoon cyclone season  ( SeptemberNovember ) , may impact the coastal districts of Bangladesh, which might also delay the implementation of planned activities as BDRCS may put more focus for the cyclone emergency, if any. Also, the overall coronavirus pandemic already impacted different on going project activities including the recovery interventions under this EA.
After three months of the COVID 19 lockdown situation, BDRCS have started the activities in a limited scale from July 2020. Considering the COVID 19 pandemic situation, BDRCS has made some changes in their implementation strategies and developed a guideline for their staff and community members based on PGI, Health, CEA and PMER. Considering the COVID 19 pandemic, BDRCS have also prepared a guideline for the implementation of community level activities, where the strategies has described
On the other hand, Bangladesh again witnessed the first phase of flooding for this year from 26 June to 7 July 2020, affecting around 15 districts due to onrush of upstream water and heavy downpours. As of 30 July 2020, according to National Disaster Response Coordination Centre, over 5 million people in 31 districts have been affected and different reports and forecasts said the flood situation may deteriorate further in the northern region as well as in the low lying areas around the capital.
With support from UNFPA, CARE distributed nearly 3000 dignity kits to flood affected women and girls of reproductive age and the transgender community in Kurigram and Gaibandha districts. These dignity kits are expected to protect them from COVID 19 even when they leave home for flood shelters. Given the pandemic, CARE is taking additional measures to reduce the risk of transmission during evacuation and in flood shelters.