nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ March 12, SDF ]  The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, known as "SDF', control the northern and northwestern regions of Syria, and in turn are waiting for any opportunity to obtain the vaccine, in light of the complete blurring of the future drug scene there, and it is clear from the Kurdish movements that they rely primarily to obtain it by addressing the Health Organization International, and in this case it is possible that the vaccine will pass through Damascus, which is still under follow up.
( June 2021, overall Syria, especially NES )  Contaminated water also poses severe public health risks, with the Early Warning, Alert and Response System  ( EWARS )  detecting a substantial increase in the number of acute diarrhea cases recorded in the northeast in May 2021  ( 17,166 )  compared to the same month in 2020  ( 7,355 ) .
( June 2021, overall Syria, especially NES )  In Syria, poor precipitation during the 2020/2021 winter season, as well as the months critical for crop development  ( January April ) , have negatively impacted several governorates in the northeast, with Al Hasakeh – typically the breadbasket of the country – particularly badly affected. Water shortages pose a significant threat to agricultural production and food security, with informal crop forecasts for 2021 indicating a possible drop in barley production to 1.2 million tonnes – as low as in 2018.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  In January 2021, the volatility in the exchange market continued to raise most prices of agricultural inputs, making it out of the vulnerable farmers' reach in some governorates. Especially barley seed, herbicide, poultry feed, diesel fuel. There is still a need to address the prevailing economic hardships and limited access to agricultural inputs by most Syrian families across the country in a holistic and multipronged approach.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Because of the consistent depreciation of the informal exchange rate of the SYP Vs. USD, and the weakening of the Syrian economy, the prevailing high cost of agricultural inputs in the local market will continue to limit access for vulnerable smallholder farmers. The Government's subsidized sources are unable to meet the farmer's full requirements. The existing constraints, further worsened by the Covid 19 impact on supply chains, besides the economic sanctions' impact on Syria, will continue to affect importation and exportation of most agricultural inputs and commodities respectively.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The observations showed a shortage of fertilizers and pesticides in addition to its high prices, making it almost impossible to be purchased by the farmers. This has resulted in limited access to agro chemicals and it will continue to affect the agricultural production activities for most smallholder farmers in negative manners.
( June 2021, overall Syria )  3 million people at risk to face reduced electricity available
( June 2021, overall Syria )  5.5 million people at risk to have reduced access to drinking water
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The shortage and high prices of poultry, cattle and sheep feed, besides the fragile veterinary services, remain a challenge for livestock keepers. As a result, the livestock products' prices are sharply high, making most Syrian families cope with the situation by not consuming any livestock products. Low access to various livestock products is limiting dietary diversity since most families are unable to buy eggs and meat.
( June 2021, overall Syria )  5 million people that have livelihoods that depend on agricultural production
[ Jan 2021, GoS ]  The government has allocated a specific quantity of diesel fuel for farmers in an endeavour to support the agriculture sector. The farmers continue to access fuel through a subsidised price of 180 SYP per litre. There was a significant m o m increase of 10 percent in the average diesel fuel price within the local markets, reaching 20 038 SYP per 20 litres. Dará and Aleppo governorates recorded the highest diesel fuel price at 26 000 SYP per 20 litres, while the price in Al Hasakeh was 2 900 SYP for the same amount , indicating the lowest diesel fuel price across the monitored sites.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Most farmers have to rely on the expensive diesel fuel prices offered in the local market to cover the unmet needs. The availability and subsequent price changes of fuel and other energy sources will be monitored as this may have ripple effects on land preparation, and subsequently agriculture production and processing. Furthermore, diesel fuel and other forms of energy are essential for groundwater extraction for irrigation purposes, transportation of products and inputs to markets, food processing and preservation; the high cost and limited availability of diesel fuel, in particular, will have adverse effects on agricultural production.
[ Jan 2021 ]  Generally, flour prices decreased in Aleppo and Deir ez Zor governorates  ( 12 and 21 percent m o m decrease respectively ) , the average selling prices was 950 SYP per kg. The average recorded price for flour across all monitored governorates was 1 062 per kg. In Dará, the average selling price increased to 1 250 SYP per kg while it reached 1 263 SYP per Kg in Hama governorate. The price remained generally constant in Rural Damascus and Homs governorates.
[  31st Jan, NES ]  During the last quarter of 2020, the PoE pillar was not considered a high priority. However, in light of the apparent reduction in transmission levels over recent weeks and months, and given the significant risks presented by more infectious multi variant strains of COVID 19, there may be a need to reconsider controls and processes implemented at POEs. According to the latest HNAP Transit Point Mapping  ( as of 1 February ) , over the two weeks preceding 1 February approximately 31,000 people crossed into NES via cross line or cross border PoEs. This represents an 85 per cent increase in the number of movements from the last two weeks of November and even exceeds the 15,000 movements recorded per week during the second half of October  ( there was a spike in movements immediately following the relaxation of cross line movement restrictions as of mid October ) .
[ March 2020 Feb 2021,  Syria ]  While the COVID 19 pandemic has had a deleterious impact at the macroeconomic level in Syria, women report mixed effects on household economics. For some women, the pandemic created temporary job opportunities in the production of masks. In the north east, pandemic related curfews and lockdown measures disrupted transportation, market access and work more so than in the north west.As such, more women in the north east described COVID 19 as having had negative economic impacts on their households. Interviewees  in  the  north west  were  less  likely  to  identify  COVID related  economic  shocks.  For  some,  the  pandemic did not do much to diminish already scant work opportunities; others were compelled to shoulder the risks of working during the pandemic to keep their households afloat.
[ March 2020 Feb 2021, Syria ]  The median cost of the survival minimum expenditure basket  ( SMEB ) 27 ranges from 254,111 Syrian pounds  ( SYP )   ( USD 92 )  in northeast Syria to SYP 282,716  ( USD 105 )  in the northwest. On average, this is 2.5 times higher than the median SMEB costs in January 2020.
[ 16th Feb 2021, NWS ]  In NWS, as of 16 February, a total of 21,072 confirmed cases of COVID 19 have been reported. The total number of COVID19 associated deaths is 407. Of confirmed cases, 2,210 living in camps  ( 10.5 per cent of the total ) . Out of the total number of cases, 17,000 have recovered, and 3,416 are active cases. Just over eight per cent  ( 1,548 )  of the total number of cases have been health care workers  ( including physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives and various medical technicians ) , and another four and a half per cent  ( 965 )  are other staff working in healthcare facilities/community health workers were infected. compared to the previous reporting period, the number of deaths associated with COVID 19 increased by some nine percent, from 348 to 380 COVID 19 associated deaths –50 percent of which were in just two districts: Harim and Idleb. The overall case fatality rate in northwest Syria is 1.82 percent.
[  31st Jan, NWS ]  Test NWS Since the first case was confirmed on 9 July 2020, a total of 81,083 samples have been tested, with a test positivity rate of 25.9 per cent. In recent weeks the test positivity rate has declined significantly, along with new cases. As of 26 January, in total 83,143 samples have been tested by RT PCR from NWS  ( Aleppo 44,600 & Idleb 38,543 ) . In total,81,083 samples have been tested since reporting the first case from NWS, with a cumulative test positivity rate of 25.9per cent. The test positivity rate for December was 23per cent, compared to 7.4per cent in January, i.e. a 68per cent decrease. WHO provided 81,500  ( 90.6per cent )  units of PCR and extraction kits to tests amples of COVID 19; another 7,000  ( 7.8per cent )  units are currently in the pipeline. The current stock of PCR and extraction kits will be enough for about another 63,000 tests, and additionally, there are 20,300 swabs, and UTMs are in our stock inside NWS.
[  31st Jan, NES ]  Containment NES In NES, as of 4 February, the local authorities lifted all remaining partial and full curfew measures which had been in effect, highlighting the reduction in daily confirmed cases and overall positivity rates as the main factor informing this decision. Public health measures previously enforced and designed to limit mass gatherings, curtail unnecessary travel, contain social mixing, and ensure basic adherence to personal preventative measures  ( e.g. mask wearing in public spaces )  were also lifted., there are also concerns that other pertinent factors have not been taken into account including the impact this directive may have on the population's perception of risk  ( particularly as the directive announcing the lifting of restrictions did not even make cursory mention of the need to maintain adherence to personal preventative measures such as face mask wearing and handwashing ) and the global risk outlook, with the dominance of more virulent virus strains in other parts of the world an indicator of what may be to come in NES
[  31st Jan, NES ]  As of February, extensive gaps continue to be reported in the COVID 19 response in many camps, including with regards to contact tracing, community engagement and the capacity of designated isolation areas. Despite the public health rationale, there remain questions whether the current camp strategy  ( underpinned by enhanced surveillance combined with a focus on test trace isolate )  is deliverable. In February, the COVID 19 strategy in camps will be reviewed and clarified.
[  31st Jan, NES ]   Health staff shortages, which result in staff working in multiple health facilities, remains an obstacle to ensuring effective IPC. However, significant progress appears to have been made in reducing multi facility work and thereby, the risk of cross contamination. As of 31 January, only 159  ( 6per cent )  of 2,679 health staff working in 93 health facilities reported working in another health facility.
[  31st Jan, NES ]  Other challenges include social stigma around getting tested  ( or being visited by RRTs ) , a divergence of approach in some areas and the limited compliance among many health facilities  ( particularly private health facilities )  regarding the official procedures for reporting and referring suspects cases. In practice, this means that RRTs are often not activated in response to alerts, and subsequently, no test is administered. Recent efforts in Ar Raqqa to expand testing by enhancing triage capacity at the main provincial hospital in Ar Raqqa, and subsequently swabbing all suspect cases presenting, has had a positive impact and may provide a blueprint for expanding testing in other areas.
[  31st Jan, NES ]  As of 4 February, of 23 COVID 19 Treatment Facilities  ( for moderate severe and critical patients ) , 16 are currently operational  ( 15 of which are fully operational, an increase from the previous report ) . Of approximately 876 beds planned for moderate severe cases, an estimated 617  ( 70per cent )  are operational. Of at least 101 ICU beds planned, all are considered operational  ( although this does not infer capacity to deliver adequate critical care to COVID 19 patients ) . Due to a lack of funding, at least 3 NGO supported facilities are expected to be handed over to the local authorities over the next two months. It is unclear whether the local authorities will have the resources to maintain these facilities. With the continued low utilization of NGO supported COVID 19 facilities, partners are considering options to consolidate capacity.
[  31st Jan, NWS ] since the last update, health partners have been able to coordinate in supporting three more hospitals being operationalized to treat COVID 19, bringing the total number of referral hospitals in northwest Syria to 12  ( with 234 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds and 926 regular beds ) . ICUs have been experiencing increased occupancy rates than regular ward admissions; averaged across October to December 2020. 36 CCTCs reported in NWS, out of the 24 are full function, eight are inactive, and four are planned. The 24 active CCTCs have 1,118 bed capacity. During this reporting period, a total of 3,167were admitted to CCTC
[  31st Jan, NES ]  However, although the reduction in new cases and the positivity rate does indicate a decline in transmission, the low levels of testing  ( with just 228 )  tests conducted over the 7 days to 31 January does hamper efforts to establish an accurate picture of infection prevalence in NES. as of 1 February, there were sufficient PCR testing kits and RNA extraction kits to process approximately 15,500 and 12,400 tests, respectively. At January's level of testing, which was insufficient and far below WHO recommended levels, these supplies would last between 5 and 7 months. However, at October levels of testing, these supplies would be sufficient for less than two months. There continue to be insufficient supplies to scale up testing and meet minimum standards in terms of testing coverage. A further shipment of PCR testing kits and RNA extraction kits sufficient for approximately 20,000 tests is expected to be delivered in February. In addition to testing kits, there remain some critical shortages of certain diagnostic consumables, with the laboratory reporting a stock out of filter tips for pipettes  ( 1,000 μL ) , microcentrifuge tubes  ( 1.5ml ) , medical alcohol  ( 70per cent )  and sterile gauze pads. In line with efforts to increase testing capacity, local authorities previously committed to conducting a minimum of 500 tests per day, screen health workers and test health workers in self quarantine. Despite these commitments, supply challenges combined with the lack of an established pipeline to replenish depleted stocks has put a ceiling on the testing capacity.
[  31st Jan, OVERALL SYRIA ]  Cases in schools Since reopening in September, sharp rises of cases in schools have also been recorded, with 2,124 cases reported up to 14 January; including at least 20 reported deaths; eight more since our last report. Of those affected, 1,263 were reported to be teachers/administrative staff, and deaths were reported to have included 11 teachers and three school doctors.
[  31st Jan, GoS ]  Containment GoS The GoS continues to maintain a widespread easing of preventive measures introduced in late May. However, localized measures such as the suspension of some schools/classrooms where COVID 19 cases had been reported. In some locations, closures of wedding and condolence halls, restrictions on audiences for sporting events, and celebratory gatherings have been observed
[  31st Jan, NES ]  Throughout January, reported levels of COVID 19 transmission in NES health facilities appear to have declined significantly  ( according to the number of NGO supported health facilities that have had to close/ partially close and staff who have had to self isolate/ self quarantine ) . As of 31 January, according to updates provided by seven NES NGOs supporting 93 health facilities, no health facilities were closed, with only two health facilities  ( one in Deir Ez Zor and one in Al Hasakeh )  temporarily closed during the whole of January  ( for two days of disinfection following exposure ) . This is a reduction from 13 facilities which were fully or partially closed at some point in November. Over the same period, 19 staff have been in self quarantine or self isolation, six of whom were in self quarantine or self isolation as of 31 January. This is a significant reduction from November, where a total of 77 staff were self quarantining or self isolating as of the end of the month, with a total of 133 staff over the whole month. The reduction in transmission at health facilities reflects a wider reduction in transmission across NES, combined with a change in people's health seeking behaviours, and enhanced IPC procedures at health facilities.
[  31st Jan, Overall Syria ]  Overall, while official numbers remain relatively low, it is clear that Syria's epidemiological situation has rapidly evolved, and community transmission is widespread. Epidemiological analysis indicates the emergence of the second COVID 19 wave in Syria from mid December 2020. In December, the caseload was the highest reported to date in a single month  ( 3,547 ) . While daily reported cases have tapered off throughout January  ( 2,564 as of 31 January ) , it still represents the second highest month since the beginning of the pandemic. As earlier reported, humanitarian actors have received ongoing unverified reports concerning additional possible cases. Given the limited/insufficient testing across Syria, it is likely the actual number of cases far exceeds official figures, with significant numbers of asymptomatic and mild cases, in particular, going undetected.
( January 2021, NES )  communities where barriers to accessing income from agriculture to meet basic needs reported lack of access to resources  ( 20% among residents and 8% among IDPs )
[ March 2020 Feb 2021, Syria ]  Economic stress and poverty have implications for women and girls beyond the inability to buy food and other goods. Women and girls in poor and crisis affected households are also at increased risk of experiencing gender based violence  ( GBV )  and exploitation; the risk is even higher for female heads of households.
[ March 2021, NES ]  72%   Livelihoods, most commonly reported overall priority needs for residents.
( Jan 2021, overall Syria )  32,400 IDPs, 25% less than in December 2020. Most IDP movements were concentrated in northwest Syria, with 92% occurring within and between Aleppo and Idleb governorates. 75% of IDPs arrivals occurred within governorate.
[ 2021, Overall Syria ]  Threats are elevated in particular for refugees who are pregnant and more so for those with high risk pregnancies while displaced and/or residing in areas where medical facilities are damaged or destroyed. Ensuring access to maternal and child health services is crucial, whether through mobile health points or telemedicine when inpatient care is not essential and not advised given COVID 19 contagion.
( GoS Feb 2021 )  9.3 million people at high COVID risk
[ 2020, Overall Syria ]  According to UNRWA's survey on the socio economic impact of COVID 19 on Palestine refugees in Syria, 94 per cent of Palestine refugee households surveyed stated they face additional challenges since 15 March 2020, in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic. That survey also found nearly 50 per cent of Palestine refugee households indicated an increasing level of Gender Based Violence  ( GBV ) . In GBV cases reported to UNRWA from quarter one to quarter three 2020, 87 per cent were women and girls with numbers rising in quarter two and quarter three as COVID 19 spread.
[ March 2020 Feb 2021, Syria ]  Lack of resources, increasing food prices, and disruptions to supply chains and markets due to COVID 19 have created a situation where most households find it virtually impossible to obtain the amount and types of food required to meet the nutritional needs of all members.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  The market indicators from Dec 2020 are : 1. Informal fuel  ( diesel )  which is 483% higher than formal fuel 2. WFP food basket which has increased by 236% 3. Informal exchange rate is 2795 USD/SYP
[ 2021, Overall Syria ]  The strict restrictions imposed in Lebanon on the release of funds to bank account holders, including those residing in Syria, have made it impossible for many to access their earnings.
[ January 2021, NES ]  Heating fuel is unaffordable for 97% of communities and 99% of communities for winterisation items.
[ 2020, Overall Syria ]  According to an assessment conducted by UNRWA in July 2020 on the socio economic impact of COVID 19 on Palestine refugees in Syria, close to 80 per cent of the surveyed persons stated that the number of meals or quantity of food consumed had reduced since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
[ January 2021, NES ]  soap was unaffordable for 78% of the communities, adult hygiene items by 87%.
[ January 2021, NWS ]  soap was unaffordable for 38% of the communities, adult hygiene items by 52%
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  The indicators of market in Dec 2020 are: 1. Informal fuel which 483% higher than formal fuel 2. WFP Food Basket which is 236% higher  ( Y o Y )  3. Informal exchange rate is 2,795/SYP
[ 19 May 2021, GoS ]  Health Ministry announced that 54 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Syria, adding that 100 coronavirus patients have recovered, and 4 others passed away.
[ Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  The economic indicators from Dec 2020 are: 1. Wage of non skilled workers which is 5,134 SYP/day 2. Wage dynamics which is increased by 98% 3. Crude oil production which is 24 BBL/D/1k in Sept 2020 Gold Reserves which is 25.8 tonnes in 3rd quater of 2020
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  The increase in the food basket price is attributed to different factors mainly the continued depreciation of the Syrian pound in the informal exchange rate market and the fuel shortages that are contributing to the price increase of main food items. For example, between December 2020 and January 2021, the national average price of red split lentils and vegetable oil have both increased by ten percent.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Month on month  ( m o m ) , all 14 governorates reported an increasing average reference food basket price in January 2021. The highest m o m increase of 13 percent was reported in Ar Raqqa reaching SYP 123,123, while the lowest increase of four percent was reported in Aleppo and Tartous, reaching SYP 124,600 and SYP 125,343, respectively. Idleb reported the highest average food basket price at SYP 151,048.
[ 4 11 Jan, NWS  NES ]  Overall prices for transport fuels increased by 9% between December and January, with a median price of 1,683 SYP per litre. Less expensive, manually refined fuels, including petrol and kerosene remained largely unavailable in NWS due to inaccessibility of raw material inputs and low levels of import for fuels refined in northeast Syria  ( NES ) . For example, 80% of surveyed fuel vendors reported that manually refined petrol was not available in their market at the time of data collection. With the significant unavailability of lower quality but less expensive fuels, prices for high quality diesel and petrol  ( largely European fuels imported via Turkey )  continued increasing in January, driven both by increasing demand as well as by fluctuating exchange rates of both the SYP and the TRY against the USD.
[ 18 July 2021, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced that 7 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 4 coronavirus patients recovered and one other passed away.
[ March 2020 Feb 2021, Syria ]  Lack of resources to meet their family's basic needs may lead some women to resort to survival sex or make them more vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Additionally, male unemployment, combined with shifting gender roles, social norms accepting of GBV and years of crisis induced stress, may lower the threshold at which men commit violence against women and girls. Furthermore, women and girls who are forced to travel outside of their communities to find work or to aid distribution sites are also at increased risk of violence. Indeed, many women interviewed said they would advise other women not to travel far and not to travel after dark due to safety concerns.
[ 4 11 Jan, NWS ]  In January, the informal USD/SYP regional median exchange rate increased by 5% since December and reached a regional median of 2,840 USD/SYP. The six month change, a 22% increase since July 2020, highlights that the value of the SYP remains an unstable currency against the USD. The highest exchange rate was recorded at 2,900 SYP to 1 USD in Afrin community in Aleppo governorate.
[ Jan 2021, Overall Syria ]  Near 75 per cent of PLWD  ( people living with disabilities )  are without access to economic, social, and medical support.
[ 12 Feb 2021, GoS  ( Tartous )  ]  According to Tartous Health Directorate, the number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in Tartous Governorate have reached 1154, of which 200 deaths have been reported, totaling for around 17% of the cases. Heads of several hospitals have said that these figures are only for those who visited the hospitals, while the real number of cases is much higher, leading to this large percentage in deaths.
[ 28 March 2021, GoS ]  There has been a sudden improvement in the exchange rate of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  against foreign currencies during the past two days after it had reached almost SYP 5,000 per Dollar. The rate improved by about 1,300 pounds within ten days, from SYP 4,700 on March 17, to SYP 3,400 on 28 March 2021.
The Director of As Suwayda Health, Dr. Nizar Muhanna, stated that the number of those admitted to the specialized isolation departments in the governorate hospitals reached 48 patients, double the number registered a week ago, which led to the opening of new isolation departments.
Muhanna pointed out that the number of home oxygen users is more than 100 patients.
[ Jan 2021, NES ]  Prices for manually refined transport fuels also increased between December and January, with manually refined petrol increasing by 17% and manually refined diesel increasing by 29%. In addition to the impacts of SYP depreciation, these price increases likely resulted from increased demand.
The recent collapse began after the Central Bank of the Assad regime introduced a new banknote denomination of 5,000 Syrian pounds, which led to a collapse of the exchange rate of the pound against the US dollar  ( 3,500 pounds for every dollar ) , which, in turn, led to an increase in the price of foodstuffs and other goods.
[ 17 AUG, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced that 67 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 15 coronavirus patients recovered, while 3 others passed away.
A secondary impact of the collapsing Syrian pound and cash crisis was the pinch on employment. Even pre war, the Syrian employment outlook was less than rosy, with 8.6 percent of Syrians out of work and 20.4 percent of youth unemployed. Additionally, the war completely gutted the Syrian middle class, which comprised 60 percent of Syria's population in pre war years but represents just 10 to 15 percent today. The agriculture sector took the biggest hit. Many displaced populations that relied on agriculture prior to the war now seek informal work on farms in nearby host communities to financially support their families. However, there are very limited informal or formal employment opportunities for people inside displacement camps. The Covid 19 pandemic is only accelerating the decimation of the informal work sector in Syria, particularly in the hard hit northwest.
In addition to the rising cost of food items themselves, additional items that are necessary for the further preparation and cooking of raw food also increased in price. Median regional prices for vegetable oil and ghee, both commonly used for cooking, rose by 13% and 11% respectively between December and January, continuing a significant upward trend. Both commodities are largely imported into NWS and, therefore, subject to exchange rate fluctuations. The cost of fuels used for cooking also increased over this one month period, with the median price of liquid petroleum gas increasing by 15% and manually refined kerosene increasing by 7%. As reported above, manually refined kerosene is often unavailable in many markets of NWS  ( reported as unavailable by 54% of surveyed fuel vendors in January ) , leading consumers in NWS to rely more heavily on the use of liquid petroleum gas for cooking purposes.
( Overall Syria 03/2011 02/2021 )  The SNHR database indicates that at least 3,364 health care sector personnel are still arrested/ detained or forcibly disappeared in Syria, between March 2011 and February 2021, of which 3,329 by Syrian regime forces. The Syrian regime is responsible for 99% of the arrests and enforced disappearances compared to the other parties to the conflict. This indicates the Syrian regime's intention to persecute, arrest/ detain and disappearing workers in this sector, who participated in providing medical aid services to the injured, in a planned and deliberate manner. Most of the arrests/detention were in Damascus  ( 744 ) , Rural Damascus  ( 387 ) , Aleppo  ( 373 ) , Hama  ( 288 )  and Dara  ( 257 ) . Civilian trained in first aid are the group mostly represented among those arrested or detained  ( 647 ) , followed by nurse  ( 643 ) , doctor  ( 436 ) , health technician  ( 426 )  and paramedic  ( 421 ) . The previous distribution shows that the highest number of arrests/detentions of health care personnel took place while they were working in medical facilities, constituting about a quarter of the total, followed by those arrested/ detained while passing through checkpoints, then during raids of homes and in areas where they were living or were located. In 2020, 56 were arrested by Syrian regime forces and 28 already in 2021.
( Not on Syria but LL from conflict affected areas )  Across all six of our intervention countries, respondents tended to trust the government more when they requested COVID 19 related services and were satisfied with the services received, while trust decreased when respondents felt unsatisfied with the requested services or did not get a response at all, demonstrating that citizens place greater value on quality of response over responsiveness in general. There is a risk that growing dissatisfaction with the government's provision of COVID 19 related services  ( or the lack thereof )  could lead to further protest movements in conflict affected countries, where discontent with the authorities may already be high and further negatively affect the credibility and legitimacy of the government. This in turn could hamper the vaccine roll out efforts of the government and its national and international partners. It begs the question whether the national government is the best placed to champion the vaccine roll out in settings where trust levels are low, or whether other actors would be better placed for that.
( Not on Syria but LL from conflict affected areas )  The lack of trust in the government response system has affected trust in COVID 19 related information shared through different media channels, and in several cases, the information coming directly from the government was perceived to be inaccurate or  ( purposefully or not )  incomplete. There were several instances where misinformation contributed to the belief that certain groups were being disproportionately targeted by heavy handed response measures and restrictions in general, or that those who caught COVID 19 were exceptional in their behavior.14 These are concerning trends, particularly when we consider the potential for general mistrust and dissatisfaction to devolve into acute mistrust associated with specific narratives that drive fear. During the Ebola crisis in West Africa and more recently in the DR Congo, for example, similar trends blocked health workers from being able to operate, and in several cases they were attacked by community members. In several countries, the importance of local language and having involvement of local actors was highlighted as a key strength and opportunity to build on to ensure greater confidence in the COVID 19 response, and this will be particularly important for the vaccine roll out. The lack of inclusive, participatory processes to inform government led pandemic response strategies not only diminishes trust in the government, but also leaves strategies that inadequately meet the needs of all. Respondents regularly cited the need to feel included and engaged alongside government and other response providers in order to feel confidence and trust that their needs are being considered and met. Lessons from Ebola show that women are less likely to be reached by vaccination information campaigns due to gender barriers, and even when women can access accurate information, they may be less likely or able to follow recommendations.
[ March 9, NWS ] The "Syria Response Coordinators" team announced registering two suicides among the displaced in northwestern Syria during the past 24 hours, bringing the number of cases since the beginning of this month to four, in addition to 19 cases recorded in the region during the year 2020.
[ 4 January 2021, Overall Syria ]  The closure of borders during the pandemic has further reduced trade and financial transactions. The economic deceleration is expected to threaten more than half a million jobs in the industrial and construction sectors. 650,000 jobs in hotels and restaurants are also threatened. In addition, around 1.1 million self employed individuals are facing a significant loss of income.
[ March 17, Lattakia ]  The Director of Education in Lattakia, Imran Abu Khalil, stated to Al Watan that the total number of Corona cases in Lattakia schools reached 120 cases, and 42 classrooms were closed, since the beginning of the current school year until its date. Abu Khalil pointed out that the recorded cases include 83 teachers and 37 students, including 17 injuries during the second semester  ( 10 cases for teachers and 7 cases among students ) . During the second semester, 6 classrooms in the governorate's schools were closed.
[ 18 May 2021, NES ]  On 18 May 2021 morning, several Kurdish cities in northeastern Syria witnessed protests, following the implementation of UN Resolution 119. The resolution provides for a 300 percent increase in fuel and gas prices. Residents and merchants protested in Qamishli, Hassakeh, and the town of Karaki Laki in northeastern Syria. Shop owners went on strike, closed their shops, and protested, demanding the decision's reversal.
[ February, NES ]  Hassakeh Sub District had the highest number of new cases with 26, while in January Derek had the largest number of cases. The test positivity rate was lowest in Aleppo and Raqqa Governorates, while in Hassakeh and Deir Ezzor the positivity rate remained above 10%. Deir Ezzor shows significant undertesting, with only 127 tests having been conducted in February and, and four COVID deaths during the month representing 66% of all February COVID deaths, despite only 15 confirmed positive cases. The low number of tests conducted across NES means that NES is not meeting the requirement for presuming data accuracy  ( equivalent to less than 0.25 tests per 1,000 persons per week )  thus this data should be treated with caution  ( i.e. it may not reflect true levels of transmission ) .
[ Jan 2021, NES ]  In January, the value of the regional SMEB reached 270,105 Syrian pounds  ( SYP ) , a 6% increase compared to December and 38% increase since July 2020, setting the highest ever recorded price in the Market Monitoring exercise in NES.
[ Jan 2021, NES ]  The value of the regional SMEB food component further increased by 7% between December and January, reaching a record high median value of 209,825 SYP.
[ Jan 2021, NES ]  The price of manually refined kerosene, primarily used for cooking and heating, remained stable since December, likely due to its continuous availability  ( only 9% of surveyed vendors reported manually refined kerosene to be unavailable in January ) .
[ Jan 2021, NES ]  The cost of the SMEB hygiene component increased by 19% in January, reaching a median of 21,287 SYP. While median prices for many COVID 19 related items, such as facemasks and hand sanitizer, which are more frequently locally produced, decreased in January, by 13% and 6% respectively.
[ 3rd March, NES ]  COVID 19 in camps: As of 3 March, there have been a total of 67 confirmed COVID 19 cases among IDPs and refugees in camps and sites from a total of 227 samples collected in camps for a positivity rate of 30% ( with a further 503 confirmed cases among IDPs and refugees in non camp settings ) . In February there were six positive cases out of 17 individuals tested. The largest number of cases was in Mahmudli Camp in Raqqa Governorate, where five individuals tested positive for COVID 19 in the month, with all cases having been recovered.
[ March 9, NWS ]  The coordination response team referred the increase in suicide cases to "the poor financial conditions of the displaced people and the loss of their property after the displacement campaigns and forced displacement from various regions, and their inability to return to their areas and properties due to the regime and Russia's control of their cities and villages."
[ March 9, GoS ]  The Ministry of Health in the Assad regime's government announced the launch of the “Sugar Free Week' challenge, in light of the unavailability of basic materials and their high prices in the regime controlled areas, including sugar.
( GoS )  The government's response in its held area was limited to a one time financial grant of 50,000 SYP  ( about 10 dollars )  for its employees, whose average salary is about 60,000 SYP.
[ 11th July 2021, GoS ]  As of 11 July, the Government of Syria doubled the price of a bundle of bread, from SYP 100/bundle to SYP 200/bundle. The Government also increased the price of subsidized diesel to SYP 500 per litre, an increase of 167 percent  ( up from SYP 187/litre ) .
[ July 2021, Overall Syria ]  Food prices continued to decrease across Syria for the third consecutive month, according to the latest WFP data, with a one percent decrease in June 2021. Food prices however remain 102 percent higher than 12 months ago.
[ March 27, Damascus ]  The government team assigned the Ministry of Electricity to provide continuous electrical supply for the two oxygen generation stations in Al Hama area in Damascus countryside to secure the need for Mouwasat and Cardiac Surgery hospitals, while studying the possibility of securing continuous electricity supply to one of the two oxygen generation stations of the Defense Laboratories Corporation in Hama and Aleppo
[ April 2020, camps NWS ]  “We have 260 270 tents in the camp here. In each tent there is a family. Each family is 3 11 persons. We have 4 toilet blocks. Each block has 2 male toilets and 2 female toilets. We have plenty of issues with toilets. In most occasions you see people queuing, very crowded. One might stand for 15 30 minutes in the queue…'
[ April 2020, camps NWS ]  “If I tell you we are getting enough  [ cleaning ]  material, I would be lying to you. We are barely able to get soap and in best cases a shampoo. It is difficult to get disinfectants like chlorine products, we are not even thinking of them because there are other things that we need like food'
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | Top measures taken by households in response to the pandemic:  Washing hands more regularly 75%  Staying at home as much as possible 65%  Avoiding touching other people 53%
[ 7th  March, NES ]  The continuing decrease in risk perception among the community of COVID 19 will be catalysed by the lack of public health guidelines, and when the new variants arrive to NES it may be difficult to institute new policies before the cases have already spread across the region.
[ 3rd March, NES ]  Trend analysis: Over the course of February the number of confirmed COVID cases declined, and from February 3 to February 22 the 7 day rolling average number of cases stayed in the single digits. However, at the end of the month and into early March there has been an increase in the average daily number of cases and as of 1 March there was a 7 Day average of 20 new cases per day.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277  | 81% of 0 5 year olds who have received polio vaccinations and there was a Presence of health services within the camp.
[ 6 July 2021, GoS ]  Syrian Observatory activists have reported that the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection issued a decree setting a new price of petrol  ( octane 95 )  at 3000 SYL per litre.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | 45% of children aged 6 17 are accessing education services.
[ April 4, GoS ]  A member of the advisory team to confront the Corona virus, " Al Awa", said that the number of infections has increased sharply for a month, stressing that all hospitals are full, which made it difficult to find an empty ventilator.
[ 5 July 2021, GoS ]  “Many members of Parliament have demanded an increase to current salary rates, which are unconstitutional. In fact, Article 40 of the Constitution provides that workers must receive a fair salary that is not lower than the minimum wage, which guarantees basic standards of living,' said Ahmed al Saleh, a member of the People's Assembly.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  COVID 19 has added another layer of vulnerabilities to Syrian children and their families. This has a crippling effect on children's ability to continue education and learning, leading to an increase in child labour and forced early marriage incidents as parents and caregivers see no other option.
[ March 4, Aleppo ]  The Director General of the Civil Aviation Corporation, Bassem Mansour, revealed the start of flights from Erbil to Aleppo and vice versa, as a plane for "Fly Baghdad" landed yesterday at Aleppo International Airport, in an actual translation of the steps that are being taken to return the movement to and from Syrian airports.
[ 12th March 2021, NWS Syria ]  Although violence has decreased in the region since last year, hospitals continue to suffer the impact – at least 15 hospitals supported by Islamic Relief in northwest Syria came under attack in 2020. There is a serious shortage of essential supplies such as oxygen, ventilators and x rays, as well as medical staff – many of whom are now unable to travel from Turkey due to the Covid 19 travel restrictions.
[ Jan March 2021, NES ]  The report describes these incremental policies as disastrous, noting that they have led to an alarming increase in the percentage of children dropping out of school, as well as forcing many children to attend schools in areas under the control of the Syrian regime. This in turn has led to overcrowded classrooms in the regime controlled schools, constituting a threat in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, with students' transfers constituting a material and moral burden on their families, and with all the aforementioned factors posing a serious threat to nearly half a million child students in the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces.
[ 15th Feb 2021, NES ]  Since the beginning of January 2021 up until February 15, 2021, the report records at least 61 arbitrary arrests of teachers, 27 of whom were arrested on charges of teaching the Syrian regime's educational curriculum, while 34 others were arrested with the aim of forcibly conscripting them into the Syrian Democratic Forces' ranks.
[ January 2021, Ar Raqqa Governorate ]   [ Mahmoudli Camp Overview: No. of Individual: 10,277 ]  97% of households reported that hand/body soap was available at the time of data collection. Hygiene items were most commonly inaccessible because households could not afford to buy them. Proportion of households that were able to access all assessed hygiene items in the two weeks prior to data collection: 
Yes: 35%
No: 65%
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | At the time of data collection, there was 1 open educational facility in the camp. Barriers to education: 31% of households reported that their children are receiving no education, and 12% reported that they faced barriers to education. The most commonly reported barriers were: • Child does not want to attend  ( 58% )  • Education is not considered important  ( 17% )  • Fear of COVID 19  ( 17% )
[ January 2021, Ar Raqqa Governorate ]   [ Mahmoudli Camp Overview: No. of Individual: 10,277 ]  In response infrastructure, there is availability of both isolation area and handwashing facilities.
[ 18 March 2021, GoS ]  For more than a year, Syrian currency has been witnessing a serious deterioration in its value against the dollar, as the Syrian pound  ( SYP )  recorded the lowest level in its history against foreign currencies after the US dollar exceeded 4,700 Syrian pounds on Thursday.
[ February 28, As Sweida ] The Director of As Suwayda Health, Dr. Nizar Muhanna, indicated that the indicators of the return of Corona disease began to rise, especially deaths, in addition to the increase in the infection of the youth group and the increase in the severity of the disease and the severity of its transmission and spread. Muhanna pointed out that the number of total isolation patients in the governorate today, Sunday, is 11 people, whose condition is moderate to severe, while the total number of cases registered in the governorate since the beginning of the epidemic is 824 and deaths are 84.
[ February 28, As Sweida ] The Director of As Suwayda Health, Dr. Nizar Muhanna confirmed, saying: “We are in the process of a new escalation of the disease, which is the third since the beginning of its emergence, as well as we are in the beginning of a new epidemiological activity that will reach its peak later.'
[ March 1, GoS ]  For the second consecutive day, the Ministry of Health continues to provide the Covid 19 vaccine to health personnel working on front lines within isolation centers designated for treating Covid 19 patients in various governorates. The Minister of Health, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Al Ghobash, stated that the most vulnerable groups, who work in isolation centers, are currently vaccinated, and the priority for the older age group is due to limited supplies.
[ 4th March, GoS ]  Several schools in Damascus have had to shut classes in the past week due to the rise in cases amongst students. Online learning remains difficult in a conflict ridden country where internet and electricity supply is not stable.
[ 4th March, GoS ]  The closing of schools actual problem was the fact that most schools in Syria don't have access to functional bathrooms, and soap and sanitation facilities, which if provided could decrease the number of infections.
[ 21 May 2021, GoS ]  Health Ministry announced that 55 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Syria, adding that 29 coronavirus patients recovered, and 6 others passed away.
( Jan 2021, overall Syria )  These movements are estimated to mostly be incentivised by access to services and livelihoods, and facilitated by reduced levels of shelling compared to preceding months.
( Jan 2021, Overall Syria )  13,600 spontaneous IDP return movements, similar to December 2020. Over 6,000 of these  ( 48% )  occurred within and between Aleppo and Idlib governorates. 85% of IDP spontaneous returnee arrivals occurred within governorate
( Jan Dec 2020, overall Syria )  1.822 million IDPs movements, of which most occurred in Idlib and Aleppo governorates. 73% occurred within governorate.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277  |  Percentage of households reporting that communal latrines have hand washing facilities : None 81%  and Some 9%.
( Jan Dec 2020, overall Syria )  448,000 IDP return movements in 2020, most of which occurred in Idlib and Aleppo governorates. 75% within governorate.