nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
To enhance surveillance efforts, WHO is working with the MoH to simplify the case definition for COVID 19 as well as expand active surveillance beyond the existing 125 hospitals to all primary healthcare facilities. In the reporting period, WHO supported the 25 active surveillance teams to conduct 450 visits, in addition to active finding of suspected cases. In addition, WHO further supported a session for health worker teams on case definition and prevention measures.
Emmanuel Massart, emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, told the Russian Sputnik news agency on May 12 that his NGO had recently delivered some 44 tons of medical aid to northeast Syria.
UNDP continue to support WASH rehabilitation in three healthcare facilities identified as isolation centres in Tartous, Damascus and Dar'a, with plans to further support rehabilitation  ( including WASH )  at an additional 14 health facilities in all governorates. Further, Première Urgence Internationale  ( PUI )  has now completed rehabilitation of the quarantine centre in Deir Ez Zor, and light rehabilitation of WASH systems at two facilities in Dar'a and Deir Ez Zor
Sectors have completed an isolation centre in Al Hol. In Ar Raqqa, an isolation ward is being set up at the National Hospital, and a quarantine center at Hawari Bu Median school in Ar Raqqa city. On 20 April, NGOs opened a first phase  ( 60 beds )  of a 120 bed hospital in arepurposed factory building outside Al Hasakeh; however, due to lack of demand, the hospital has been placed on standby, and can be reinstated quickly should circumstances necessitate. Across NES there are up to 18 specially equipped ambulances available to support COVID 19 related referrals. Of these, seven are in Al Hasakeh, three in Ar Raqqa, four in Deir Ez Zor  ( but require additional preparation )  and four in Aleppo.
Two important measures were taken to relax movement restrictions. First, on May 17, the government lifted the quarantine imposed on the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, which had been under a lockdown since April 02. No positive cases have been reported there since May 02. Second, on May 14, the government's Covid 19 task force suspended the ban on travel between governorates for ten days, from May 19 to May 30.
Border closures, the volatility of the exchange rate  ( and banking challenges in Lebanon ) , and other factors that impact the import of certain medical supplies critical to an effective COVID 19 response are also a concern. Other materials, for example pumps, sterilization equipment and PPEs are in short supply in the local market, including due to wholesalers withdrawing supplies due to current exchange rate volatility, resulting in the inability of partners to procure items.
The Syria Humanitarian Fund has commenced disbursement of $23 million for 32 approved projects across the Health  ( $12.5 million ) , WASH  ( $4.3 million ) , Protection  ( $2.3 million ) , Food  ( $0.04 million )  and Logistics sectors  ( $0.2 million ) , including four multi sectoral projects  ( $2.85 million ) . SARC has also prepared a four month plan to respond to COVID 19, covering a range of preparedness, containment and mitigation measures, totaling $10.4 million. On 8 May, UNRWA launched an updated $93.4 million Flash Appeal to expand their response to the pandemic over the next three months. As of end May, the appeal was 57 per cent funded.
Of the multiple tests carried out to date, 40 people were tested positive for COVID 19 in northwest Syria as of 6 August. 26 patients have reportedly recovered – four in Idleb and 13 in Harim in Idleb governorate, and six in Al Bab and three in A'zaz in northern Aleppo governorate. No deaths have been reported. Of these, some 14 are active cases, nine are in Al Bab, three are in Idleb, and Harim and A'zaz have one each. None of those identified required acute hospital care, and some were asymptomatic
COVID 19 and economic deterioration compound existing major humanitarian needs across all sectors in all parts of northwest Syria. Protection issues are a grave concern, with increasing reports of genderbased violence such as early marriages, short term marriages, forced abortions and domestic violence.
Observation on low level of testing may not demonstrate the whole situation. Currently the GoS has relaxed several precautionary measures during Ramadan and a lockdown in Rural Damascus has also ended.
The health assessment mission to Rukban with SARC did not take place. Active engagement ongoing with all relevant parties to obtain the needed approval and agreement from all parties on the distribution modality to proceed with the mission to Rukban as soon as possible. The situation is dire following the closure of border access to the clinic in Jordan and the interruption of commercial traffic.
• COVID 19 prevention needs: o Cleaning of education facilities that are accessible to children and/or adults again. o Clean WASH facilities in schools  ( in coordination with WASH cluster ) . o Hygiene and basic health sensitisation at home, printed and/or through social media in coordination with Risk Communication and Community Engagement  ( RCCE )  efforts. o Continued physical re planning of school infrastructure, especially in camps, taking into consideration adequate physical distancing and to prevent large gatherings of children. o Maintain adjusted modalities for education services  ( classes etc. )  to incorporate physical distancing and prevent large gatherings.
According to local and NGO sources, the latter incident affected tents housing displaced families, killing three people and injuring seven others, including one child. In addition to these casualties, local sources reported that as a result of hostilities in northwest Syria between 24 July and 6 August, at least three children and three women were killed and 16 people were injured, including four children and four women.
Rising rates of COVID 19 and the economic situation in Syria are posing challenges to humanitarian partners trying to deliver meaningful assistance in a safe and dignified manner.
Refugees and other displaced people living in the Middle Eastern countries of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria already were struggling to subsist before COVID 19 became a health and economic threat.
From 24 July to 6 August, local sources reported eight incidents in the Idleb and Afrin and A'zaz to Jarablus areas, involving five improvised explosive device  ( IED ) , two explosive remnants of war  ( ERW )  and one landmine, in which at least one child and one adult were killed and 22 civilians were injured, including three children and one woman. Several other IED and ERW were reportedly dismantled over the same period.
refugees may not have funds to buy basic hygiene items like soap  especially since lockdowns prevent them from earning money through informal work. Many lack access to health care and COVID 19 testing
The value of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  in informal markets in northwest Syria hovered around 2,200 SYP per US Dollar for most of the last two weeks, following a momentary climb to 1,720 SYP/USD on 25 July. This is some 260 percent weaker than one year ago in early August 2019, and some 140 percent weaker than the beginning of this year. To mitigate against this devaluation, the Turkish Lira  ( TL )  has been increasingly used as a transactional currency in northwest Syria, with basic commodities such as fuel, bread, transport and telecommunications services now priced in TL
The crossing points with Lebanon have remained open for humanitarian and commercial cargos. Although international flights remain restricted, some repatriation flights for Syrian nationals have been operating and a shipment of medical aid coming from China has been reported, while Damascus, Aleppo and Qamishli airports are still operating domestic and cargo flights.
In total, since the beginning of the year, the SCHF has allocated US$163 million to support the humanitarian response in northwest Syria, complementary to other bilateral and multilateral funding. Out of this amount, US$ 19.2 million has been specifically allocated to support the response to the COVID 19 pandemic, including US$8 million for the procurement and shipment of personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  to be distributed to frontline responders.
They fled violence in several African countries and in Syria and Iraq and sought safety in towns and countries where they thought they could stay safely for a while
People without adequate access to certain currencies risk being excluded from markets or facing higher prices for the same goods and services because of exchange rate disparities – further marginalising the poorer and more vulnerable members of society. The devaluation of the SYP intensifies the precarity of people living in northwest Syria and is worsened by the impacts of COVID 19.
As sustained humanitarian access is yet to be ensured to Rukban, acute concerns regarding the deteriorating living conditions as well as the lack of medical services, especially in times of pandemic, are growing. There are still no qualified medical personnel inside the camp and only few commercial trucks recently manage to reach the camp.
According to a survey by a UN partner, income loss, price increases, loss of humanitarian assistance and forced business closures were communities' main concerns about the economic impact of COVID 19 in northwest Syria. 36 percent of community focal points reported that living conditions for their communities worsened since the start of the pandemic.
These circumstances come atop widespread humanitarian need driven by hostilities and displacement, with northwest Syria still hosting some 2.7 million displaced people. 204,000 spontaneous returns were recorded by a UN partner between January and June 2020, mostly to areas around the M4 and west of the M5 highway in the southern and eastern Idleb area – areas that have seen an increase in hostilities in recent weeks.
In GoS controlled areas, the widespread easing of preventive measures introduced throughout May continued. The daily curfew has remained lifted, as has the travel ban between and within governorates. Markets, restaurants, cafes, gyms, public parks, theaters, cinemas and most leisure facilities are now allowed to open, so long as precautionary COVID 19 measures are adopted and, in some cases, limits on capacity.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ] most recently to narrow humanitarian access to the northwest of the country all amidst growing health and humanitarian needs due to COVID 19.
Damascus, SANA – The Health Ministry announced on Sunday that 63 new Coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  cases have been registered in Syria, and that 15 patients have recovered while 2 others have passed away.
In response to these needs, MCC's partner organizations distributed 18,000 COVID 19 hygiene kits in Syria, 2,000 in Lebanon and 928 in Jordan. The partners identified people who were most in need.
Findings from an assessment by an NGO found that 72 percent of shelters in communities of return were destroyed, compared to 27 percent across northwest Syria, driving overcrowding in available shelters and illustrating the difficult conditions facing returnees. 75 percent of families in these areas reportedly cannot afford essential food items, and half have insufficient access to water.In the context of the COVID19 outbreak, these conditions increase the risk of transmission among this highly vulnerable population.
Mosques and churches are also open, including for group prayers, provided physical distancing is observed. Public and private transportation services have also resumed, as have universities and institutions. Restrictions remain in place at most other crossing points inside Syria.
Protection issues are reportedly escalating as the situation of people in northwest Syria grows more desperate. In addition to increasing psychosocial stress, significant increases in different types of gender based violence  ( GBV )  are reported, particularly incidences of domestic violence such as marital rape, physical and emotional violence and denial of resources, with girls and women with disabilities and pregnant women especially vulnerable
As the economic downturn increasingly impedes the ability of households to meet their basic needs, financially motivated negative coping mechanisms are increasingly being adopted, including child labour, forced prostitution, forced abortions and early and forced marriages.
Restrictions at the two crossing points of Deir Ballut and Ghazzawiyeh linking Idleb and north Aleppo areas, continue, however creating limited impact on the humanitarian shipments and staff crossings. While restrictions are still in place in other crossing points, including Aoun Al Dadat and Abu Zendin, Um Al Julud was opened for commercial crossings only
The SNFI Cluster is actively coordinating with the Health and WASH Clusters to respond to the needs of the displaced population in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. The SNFI Cluster is working to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 during distributions, to improve the conditions of inadequate shelters and decongest overcrowded collective shelters. The population of collective centres has fallen to a third of the population in March.
As outlined in previous reports, samples continue to be collected by RRTs  ( 99 at the district level, 13 at the governorate level )  and sent to the CPHL or regional laboratories in Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia with WHO support. As of 22 July, approximately 4,300 samples had been collected from ten governorates, including three samples from Al Hasakeh.
WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline, including four GeneXpert machines. In addition, UNHCR is procuring one GeneXpert machine.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ]  Finally, UN Security Council members should ensure that every attack on a healthcare facility or worker is discussed openly at the Security Council, as part of monthly Council briefings and country specific briefings. Explicit calls for the protection of health workers should be included in UN resolutions and official discussions including those related to COVID 19.
During the reporting period, rehabilitation of the CPHL to establish a designated laboratory for COVID 19 was completed, expanding the testing capacity of the laboratory to approximately 1,000 tests per day/week. On site training for 24 CPHL laboratory technicians was also completed. WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February.
During the reporting period, WHO delivered 11,000 sample bags, and 25 enzyme kits  ( 2,500 reactions ) . In addition to date, WHO has provided 69 enzyme kits, 177 extraction kits  ( 26,250 reactions ) , 172 screening kits and 15 confirmatory testing kits, 18,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 10,000 bags for samples, and PPE for laboratory staff. WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline expected to arrive in the next one to four month
Families who were especially vulnerable, including those without a father and those who have a person living with a chronic illness, received a kit in April and July. In addition, 80 families determined to be severely in need were given $50 monthly food vouchers for four months to use in local grocery stores.
To date, WHO has delivered over 1.3 million PPE items, including surgical masks, gloves, reusable heavy duty aprons, gowns, head covers, alcohol hand rubs, medical masks, goggles and coveralls, and alcohol hand rubs
As part of the COVID 19 response since March, UNHCR provides cash assistance to refugees in Syria, with nearly 12,300 refugees benefitting from multi purpose cash grants, worth a total of over USD 1 million.
In addition to light rehabilitation completed at an isolation centre in Dar'a, one partner continues to support light rehabilitation at the designated isolation center in Deir Ez Zor. Also as previously detailed, WASH sector partners continue to deliver increased quantities of soap and hygiene kits. In the reporting period, UNICEF provided soap through WFP food distributions to 1,150 families in Homs and Hama, and hygiene kits for 1,177 returnees in Idleb. During the reporting period, UNFPA provided e vouchers to 805 households in Dar'a to purchase essential hygiene items. In addition to date, UNFPA has distributed dignity kits to 12,650 people through partners.
The cabinet also adopted a plan by the Ministry of Domestic Trade to open street markets to allow farmers to sell their products directly to customers without going through the whole distribution chain, which increases prices.
Over the reporting period, one partner distributed 667 sanitization kits in northern rural Homs, while SARC delivered hygiene kits and cleaning products to 550 IDP and host community families in As Sweida.
On May 09, the Ministry of Transport said that passenger trains in the Aleppo Governorate would restart on Sunday, May 10, while trains between Tartous and Lattakia would restart from May 31 to transport students returning to universities
Despite school closures, communities across NWS reportedly sought solutions to the challenges surrounding lack of education access for children
UNRWA continues to support increased sanitation activities through 120 sanitation labourers  ( 18 recently recruited )  at the nine official and accessible Palestine refugee camps  ( and one informal camp ) . In cooperation with GAPAR, water provision is currently being enhanced at the camps. UNDP continues to support municipalities in solid waste collection and removal activities in Aleppo, Al Hasakeh, Rural Damascus and Dar'a governorates, with 600 workers recruited to support solid waste removal and collection
According to WFP Vulnerability and Analysis Mapping data, the price of an average food basket in June was the highest on record, on average costing 48 per cent more compared to May, and 240 per cent more when compared to the same time in 2019.
In Deir ez Zor alone, almost 3,000 housholds living in these last resort sites are currently not being covered with any COVID19 related assistance to support infection prevention. Although a number of NES partners are exploring options to expand operations, the main barrier to scaling up in Deir ez Zor remains low partner presence  ( predating the current crisis )  and recent security challenges which are further constraining access.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ]  The International Community should take three steps now: first, in order to be credible, the UN Secretary General should immediately implement recommendations in the Syria Board of Inquiry report, most critically the appointment of a Senior Advisor as was promised six months ago.
In north west Syria, since the first positive case was detected on 9 July, local authorities have reportedly tightened COVID 19 mitigating measures, such as the suspension of public markets or of in person learning activities.
The UN is also helping tackle COVID 19 in Syria. The problem is now country wide: cases have now been confirmed in all but one of Syria's governorates. UN staff working in Syria are also struck by the disease.
Most land borders into Syria remain closed, with some limited exemptions  ( from Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon ) , including commercial and relief shipments, and movement of personnel from humanitarian and international organizations
After falling to its lowest recorded informal rate in June, at 3,200 Syrian Pounds to the US dollar, the Pound has been regaining value. But this has so far not translated into price reductions for basic commodities and the cost of them continues to rise.
• For COVID 19: o There is a need to establish strong and solid communication channels with the local authorities in northwest Syria in order to assure high and responsible compliance of the community vis à vis rules and recommendations to protect themselves from COVID 19.
Humanitarian and commercial shipments, and NGO staff movements, continue from Turkey to Syria. Restrictions at the two crossing points of Deir Ballut and Ghazzawiyeh linking Idleb and north Aleppo areas, continue, however creating a limited impact on humanitarian shipments and crossings of staff.
[ April 21, Deir Ez Zor ]  The administration of the hospital threatened to close the hospital , in case the current situation of the stock of medicines continues, fearing of the hospital's medical staff being attacked by the patients and clashing with them, according to the statement.
Visitors to camps have been banned, along with community gatherings and focus group discussions comprising more than seven individuals. Across camps partners are installing additional sanitation facilities, scaling up water provision and distributing COVID 19 kits  ( containing additional soap, towels, buckets, bleach, gloves and a basin  to facilitate HH level handwashing )
In the northeast of the country governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria there were officially still only two positive cases. There, the curfew has been relaxed to start at 7 pm rather than 3 pm. It still ends at 6 am. Opening hours for shops have also been extended to 7 pm. The curfew will remain in place until the end of Ramadan, from May 11 previously. Land crossings with other parts of the country remain closed, as do cafés, restaurants, schools, and universities.
There is a need to secure the PPE and hygiene items for community health workers  ( CHW )  and volunteer teams as they are carrying out awareness activities related to COVID 19 via door to door visits and need to be protected with masks and gloves
Gradually the gaps previously reported in the informal camps  ( Washokani, Abu Khashab, the Menbij camps, Tal Samen and Twaihina )  have been covered. Limited gaps remain, particularly in relation to COVID 19 kit coverage and hand washing infrastructure, specifically in the camps in Hassakeh Governorate
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ] Second, the UN should also appoint a permanent body to speak out about attacks on healthcare, investigate and preserve evidence from its inquiries.
During the reporting period, several international flights arrived at Damascus international airport from Armenia, Russia, Sudan, UAE, Libya, Egypt, Oman and Kuwait. Those passengers are under quarantine in designated facilities in Damascus and Homs, and closely monitored by MoH and Department of Health  ( DoH ) .
At all 14 points of entry  ( PoEs ) , the Syrian MoH has stationed at least one equipped ambulance with medical personnel. WHO has supported screening efforts, including providing one thermal scanner camera to MoH. WFP, as the Logistics Cluster lead, continues to monitor ports of entry for cargo movement including operational status, capacity, new developments and restrictions. The Food Security Sector continues liaison with the Logistics Cluster to update partners with pertinent information as necessary
The Ministry of Health says that 279 persons have now tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic, compared with 177 two weeks earlier. In June alone 133 persons tested positive. The MoH attributed the increase to a relaxation of lockdown measures. Also, 105 people recovered, while the number of deaths increased to nine from six
WFP in July started the piloting of cash based transfers as a transfer modality in the General Food Assistance programme.
[ 7th October, overall syra ]  While 57 cases have been recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovery cases to 808.
A NES NGO has completed core COVID 19 kit distributions in all collective centres in Hassakeh  however there is currently a gap in ‘top up/ replenishment' kits in 19 collective centres. One additional NES NGO is targeting 14 collective centres in Tel Tamer to support with distribution of IEC material and COVID 19 kits, hygiene promotion and WASH facilities assessments.
[ 7th October, overall syra ]  According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rise to 1,474, including medical staff and doctors.
Since early June 2020, the value of the SYP began to decline rapidly, losing half of its value within a month and reaching new historical lows. The most recent wave of devaluation is a continuation of the economic turbulence that has been affecting the Syrian people across the country, particularly since late 2019. In real terms, the SYP weakened by some 360 percent in a year since June 2019, eroding the purchasing power of the people, rendering them more vulnerable in the face of any new shocks
The number of people who are currently quarantined is 1,891, overwhelmingly in the Damascus Countryside governorate. In total, 12,366 people were in quarantine centres at one point during the pandemic. Also, the town of Ras Al Maraa remains quarantined, as are several buildings in Quneitra and in the Qudsaya suburb of Damascus.
The number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in Syria increased by 180 percent in July. As of 01 August, 780 cases of COVID 19 had been confirmed in Syria, with 43 related deaths.
In response to the growing number of cases, WFP further reduced the number of staff reporting to the offices, both at the country office in Damascus and at all field offices. WFP is also providing all staff and their families with personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
[ 29th September 2020 , Overall Syria ]  Only 57 public hospitals  ( 64 per cent )  are fully functioning. There is also a considerable shortage of trained staff and a high turnover rate, all of which reduce its capacity to manage cases, and of medical equipment essential for case management, including ventilators.
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ]  Moreover, according to September mVAM data, around 17 percent of interviewed households reported to take their children out of school due to lack of financial resources, to have them work instead, bringing in additional needed income for the household
On June 27, the government allowed companies working in the tourism sector to increase their capacity to 50 percent of their full capacity, up from 30 percent. In cafés and restaurants in Damascus and Aleppo, this led to a significant rise in the number of customers without any social distancing measures being applied. This pushed the governorate of Aleppo, for instance, to close the Saadallah Al Jabri Square along with many other squares to limit crowding.
Meanwhile, on June 24, the government received a third donation from China, including masks and other equipment. In areas outside government control, no specific developments occurred.
The rate of food price growth slowed significantly in July, linked to a strengthening of the value of the Syrian pound  ( SYP ) . The average price of the WFP reference food basket increased by just three percent from June to July  ( compared to an increase of 48 percent from May to June ) . However, the average price of the WFP reference food basket now stands at 22.8 times the five year pre crisis average; still more than twice as high as at the previous peak at the height of the Syrian crisis in 2016.
[ 7th october NorthWest Syria ]  Health authorities have recorded today 95 new coronavirus cases in north western Syria, which is under the control of HTS and Turkish backed factions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
This most recent devaluation resulted in massive price increases, triggering shortages of food and other key supplies in markets. The price of the minimum amount of basic goods that people need for their survival such as food, water, fuel and hygiene items has been increasing every month since November 2019, also reaching historical highs in May 2020. The economic decline also adds another layer of complexity in an already challenging operating environment. For instance, key humanitarian activities such as water trucking or local procurement of food items are reportedly becoming difficult due to the instability of the currency
A WFP Syria COVID 19 Socio Economic Impact Assessment Study, COVID 19 found that over the period where COVID 19 mitigation measures remained in effect  ( roughly mid March to end May 2020 ) , supply chains were disrupted, and food prices saw significant growth, exacerbating the already severe effects of the Lebanese financial crisis. As a result, food security has worsened compared to previous years across Syria.
Meanwhile, the Syria Recovery Trust Fund  ( SRTF )  said on June 24 that it had received a new EUR 3.5 million contribution from Denmark to cope with the pandemic in the parts of the Raqqa and Deir ez Zor governorates outside government control.
According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rose to 59, including two doctors were residing in Turkey.
Based on the current trends it is expected that a period of further economic contraction lies head, with reduced production, increased poverty rates and further food security deterioration.
Humanitarian access in Syria remains impacted by COVID 19 preventative measures. Although partners continued to face ad hoc challenges when moving staff and supplies across Syria, procedures communicated by the various authorities have gradually become clearer. As of 10 May, the main borders to Syria remain closed or offer limited crossing options.
Following the deterioration seen in June, the security situation in north western Syria remained volatile in July, with airstrikes and artillery shelling reported across multiple areas, centered on southern Idlib governorate
While there are no confirmed cases of COVID 19 in northwest Syria, the pandemic and its secondary effects continue to have a significant impact on the humanitarian situation. COVID 19 is a driver of additional humanitarian needs and a multiplier that exacerbates the pre existing needs of a vulnerable population
For the second consecutive week, the number of positive cases has increased significantly, rising to 540 up from 439 a week ago. There are now around 14 new recorded positive cases every day. The number of deaths increased again by 50 percent this week to 31 from 21 last week, while the number of recoveries stood at 160.
The restrictions of movement and limitations on commercial activities such as markets which were introduced as a public safety measure to counter the spread of COVID19 contribute to the intensification of humanitarian needs, as well as the overall impact of the pandemic on the global and local economy While humanitarian actors adapted their key activities and procedures to mitigate COVID 19 related risks, certain activities had to be suspended to protect the affected population as well as humanitarian workers.
On 12 July, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2533  ( 2020 ) , authorizing the continued cross border delivery of humanitarian assistance across the border from Turkey to Syria for one year through the Bab alHawa crossing only. This effectively shut down crossborder operation at the Bab al Salaam border crossing which has accounted for 22 percent of all WFP crossborder deliveries so far this year.
Movement remains restricted between Afrin, Azaz, Jarablus and Albab, while the crossings of Um Al Julud, Aoun Al Dadat and Abu Zendin are closed for all movements and commercial shipments
The border with Lebanon remains closed to civilians while open for humanitarian and commercial cargo. The border with Jordan remains completely closed, also sealing the remaining humanitarian access to Rukban from Jordan. Access to Rukban from within Syria remains under discussion with the various parties while individual departures, including emergency medical cases are being negotiated on a daily basis.
In July, WFP completed distributions of two months' worth of food rations in the IDP camps of north eastern Syria. WFP continued its COVID 19 mitigation measures to ensure the safety and security of staff and beneficiaries while limiting COVID 19 exposure risk.
While cumulative RCCE efforts to date have reached over 12.5 million people, survey information, in addition to anecdotal evidence, suggests risk perception across Syria remains low and there has been considerable lack of adherence to individual preventive measures observed in some communities.
WFP delivered food for 822,200 people across the northeastern governorates of Al Hasakeh, Ar Raqqa and Deir Ezzor in June
CHWs are crucial actors for a successful public health response at community and health facilities level. Therefore, the effort is ongoing to add more 660 CHWs for a better coverage, which will be also support the COVID 19 prevention and preparedness
23 people with COVID 19 have been identified in northwest Syria. Contact tracing has been activated and efforts continue to mitigate the spread of the virus and raise awareness about COVID 19 risks and precautions
Concerns around the socio economic implications of lockdown are increasingly being raised by various local authorities. It is observed in practice, measures are being loosened in many instances with the re opening of some shops/businesses, along with an increased number of people in the street.
Over the reporting period, UNHCR supported two community led initiatives in Jebel Saman, Aleppo reaching 150 children and youth, including 40 adolescent girls with information on COVID 19 and hygiene kits. UNHCR also provided awareness raising and protection support to 2,027 outreach volunteers across thirteen governorates, reaching 46,924 persons of concern through a variety of platforms.
Unemployment is also high and exacerbated by restrictions to contain COVID 19. There are reports of Syrians obliged to borrow money to meet basic needs and eat less. Prices for food staples such as rice, sugar, flour have also seen high increases in the local markets. The national average food basket in June  ( SYP 84,095 ) , is up 153% compared to December 2019.
WFP delivered food for 1.3 million people across the southern governorates of As Sweida, Dar'a, Damascus, Rural Damascus, and Quneitra in July.WFP dispatched humanitarian assistance sufficient for an estimated 4.6 million people across all activities in Syria in July
Nine years of crisis have stretched livelihoods and services to the breaking point, especially in underserved and overburdened communities. Those who are displaced are facing a protection and poverty crisis, exacerbated by COVID 19.
Training and regional outreach is also ongoing. In Hama, Homs, Idleb, Lattakia and Tartous governorates, 125 health educators were trained on RCCE, while in Muhardeh district, Hama awareness raising sessions were held in health centers and markets targeting doctors, religious leaders and the community.
A total of USD 2.9 million in cash based transfers  ( CBT )  was distributed to 176,500 WFP beneficiaries across three activities: Nutrition  ( Malnutrition prevention   support to pregnant and lactating women and girls ) , Livelihoods and Resilience, and School Feeding  ( support to out of school children ) .
Over the reporting period, WHO delivered a further 621,775 IEC materials to MOH MOHE MOE SARC MOSA and NGO health partners. In addition, WHO and UNICEF worked with partners on the development of new television and radio campaigns on COVID 19 awareness, as well as collaborated with UNDP and UNICEF to develop training for MoSAL volunteers.
The ongoing economic crisis has exacerbated humanitarian needs of the more than 11 million people across Syria in need. The poverty rate is over 90 percent. With the official exchange rate being 1,250 SYP for each USD1.00, the collapse of Syria's currency has compounded the crisis and continues to plunge more people into poverty.
As part of the COVID 19 response, WFP is supporting UNICEF and UNFPA with the priovision of hygiene items through WFPs CBT programmes. In July, a total of USD 23,733 from UNFPA were distributed to 10,600 pregnant and lactating women through WFP's CBT delivery mechanism.
UNHCR is supporting 112 active hotlines utilizing a bank of 130 questions and answers across 11 themes. Trainings related to awareness raising also continued through the reporting period. UNICEF developed and shared with MoSAL a RCCE training package to be utilized for 10,800 volunteers, while UNHCR supported further training to hotline operators and partners.
In NES  ( as of 8 May ) , awareness campaigns and related trainings of partner staff, including in camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters, are ongoing. According to the sixth round of a COVID 19 Rapid Assessment released, there continues to be a weekly increase in the proportion of respondents who would ‘stay home' as a ‘main course of action' if they or a family member felt ill.
Displaced people in camps or camp like situations face additional risks as it may be difficult to practice regular handwashing, physical distancing and other key public health measures.
Mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  and non communicable disease  ( NCD )  specific COVID 19 messaging have been put together in collaboration with an implementing partner, including recommendations regarding seeking psychosocial support  ( via the MHPSS Hotline ) , awareness of COVID 19 impact on hypertension and diabetes, and promotion of healthy lifestyle and habits to prevent COVID 19.
Despite significant RCCE efforts to date, with NES NGOs delivering information to and engaging with at least 126 individual communities in NES in 30 out of 35 accessible sub districts, there remain significant concerns around risk perception across populations in NES. In some areas, complacency   particularly from those in authority   seems to have contributed to a false sense of security. For instance, Raqqa residents report that life continues as normal in the absence of significant lockdown restrictions.
Although reproductive health services, as well as essential Gender Based Violence services are now more accessible than in previous months due to lifted restrictions, the pandemic is still severely disrupting access.
WFP in July started piloting the use of cash based transfers  ( CBT )  as a transfer modality in the GFA programme. Electronic SCOPE cards were distributed to 6,750 beneficiaries in Damascus and Rural Damascus governorate, with beneficiaries receiving a partial entitlement through the CBT.
As of 25 June, 8,041 COVID 19 tests have been performed in laboratories in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates.
WHO partners continue to provide awareness sessions, mostly individual or in small groups to distribute brochures, while wearing PPE. Through individual sessions, one partner reached 634 people, one reached 680 people, one reached 453 people, one reached 17,303 people, while another reached 2,218 people.
One partner continued delivering daily messages through social media groups with a focus on 9,081 WhatsApp users in Atmeh camps. One partner conducted awareness raising activities during water trucking activities and is planning to initiate messages regarding waste management, alongside IEC material used in distribution points, and distributed messages to 244 teachers and 4,325 students through WhatsApp, in addition to using banners at distribution points.
People affected by humanitarian crises, particularly those displaced and/or living in camps and camp like settings, are faced with challenges accessing health services that were otherwise available before the COVID 19 outbreak. Those who are most at risk and in need of immediate humanitarian assistance include pregnant and lactating women, widows, children, people with disabilities and people with chronic diseases.
In terms of awareness around individual COVID 19 preventative measures, survey findings were even more concerning with less than 25 per cent of the population aware of social distancing in 80 per cent of assessed settlements/sites in Deir ez Zor.
Working with UNICEF, soap is included in all WFP GFA food rations, as well as drawing kits to children in 250,000 families across UNICEF targeted areas
Millions of displaced people have lost their livelihoods, are taking on debt and are increasingly unable to meet their basic needs due to the regional economic crisis and the impact of COVID 19. There is increased risk of child labour, genderbased violence, early marriage and other forms of exploitation
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ] The decrease in the national average trend has been driven by returnees' households who reported a problem accessing hospitals  ( down by half from August 2020 ) , reaching nine percent in September.
Syrian Civil Defense conducted disinfection and awareness activities in 275 mosques, schools, camps, shelters, bakeries, markets and other public facilities, delivered online training to 100 individuals, and distributed 10,000 posters. One group delivered 1,083 individual sessions and 177 small group sessions in Aleppo, Idleb and Raqqa. Two partners distributed 60 and 333 hygiene kits, respectively. A total of 107 community health workers with one partner delivered 1,513 awareness sessions to 7,059 individuals and distributed 873 hygiene kits to families.
As part of the COVID 10 response, WFP has made hygiene items available to beneficiaries of the Livelihoods and Resilience programme receiveing CBT.
In July, WFP reached some 64,000 people under its livelihood and resilience projects across Rural Damascus, Dar'a, Quneitra, As Sweida. Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Lattakia, Tartous and Deir Ezzor governorates.
Restrictions on movement and limitations on commercial activities in some areas of North West Syria  ( NWS )  and North East Syria  ( NES ) , including on markets which had been introduced as a public safety measure to counter the spread of COVID 19, have contributed to the intensification of humanitarian needs, as well as the overall impact of the pandemic on the local economy
The ministry added in a statement to SANA that the total number of Coronavirus infections registered in the country till now has reached at 6215, out of which 2357 ones have recovered while 317 others have passed away.
Starting on 18 August, face coverings are mandatory in all public spaces, with those in violation facing a 1,000 SYP fine. While many partners have already been messaging on the use of masks, in view of this new directive messaging has been stepped up. Messaging focuses on the proper/appropriate use of face masks and on making ‘do it yourself' cloth face coverings.
( NW 20/10/2020 )  The use of the Turkish Lira  ( TRY )  continues to spread in northwest Syria, as the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  remains out of favour following its rapid devaluation and instability between June and mid August 2020. The value of the SYP continues to slide; at 2,360 SYP per USD, its value as of 19 October is some 7.3 percent weaker than a month ago. Vendors have, in some cases, reportedly been mandated to price goods in TRY, and a rapid market assessment by humanitarian partners has found that most vendors no longer accept SYP.
A WHO partner in NWS continues to operate four mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  helplines to provide psycho social support  ( PSS )  counselling services for COVID 19 patients and their families, frontline health workers, as well as other members of the community.
In Aleppo Governorate, of the 31 informal settlements mapped, no response is reported in 12 of these while a lack of additional water provision and handwashing facilities at the household level are reported as a gap in all 31 settlements
As a result of the closure of all schools to curb the spread of COVID 19, WFP's in school School Feeding activities remained suspended in July, affecting the provision of assistance to close to one million children.
In NES  ( as of 8 May ) , at least 119 samples have been collected in response to alerts received through one of the three surveillance systems operational to track reports of suspected cases, conduct case investigation and ultimately contain the spread of the virus.
In terms of contact tracing, standardized tools have been developed to support contact tracing, with one NGO also conducting training of contact tracers. Between four and five NGOs are preparing to support 237 contact tracers  ( 76 contact tracing teams )  available across all four governorates in which NES NGOs operate. This comprises 40 contact tracers  ( 11 teams )  in Hasakeh Governorate, 35 contact tracers  ( 14 teams in Aleppo Governorate ) , 34 contact tracers  ( 7 teams )  in Deir ez Zor and 34 contact tracers  ( 13 teams )  in Raqqa.
In lieu of the in school provision of assistance, a ration of 20 fortified snacks  ( date bars )  was distributed with the GFA ration to some 300,000 households in sub districts where children are usually receiving date bars in school
The support through CBT/e vouchers to out of school children enrolled in the UNICEF supported “Curriculum B' accelerated learning programme remained operational, and WFP in July supported some 45,800 out of school children in Damascus, Rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Qamishli, Tartous, Lattakia and Aleppo governorates
In July, WFP dispatched nutrition products for the prevention of acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies for 186,200 children and pregnant and lactating women and girls  ( PLWG ) . This includes 60,100 PLWG who received nutrition support through CBT to purchase fresh food from 108 WFP contracted shops.
Overall, NES NGOs are providing IPC/ RCCE related assistance to a total of 64 informal settlements  ( approximately 30% of informal settlements identified by the SSWG in NES ) ,19 of which are in Aleppo  ( Menbij ) , 38 of which are in Raqqa and seven of which are in Deir ez Zor. Interventions include hygiene promotion and dissemination of IEC materials, COVID 19 kit distributions, increased water provision and installation of hand washing facilities in a limited number of settlements.
Given reported shortages of medical masks  ( e.g. surgical masks, N 95 masks etc ) , the NES COVID 19 TF advocates that the general population should be encouraged to use cloth face coverings to ensure availability of medical masks for health workers. The RCCE sub TF has disseminated awareness materials in both English and Arabic on the use of cloth face coverings and guidance on how to make them.
WFP dispatched nutrition products sufficient for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition for 8,200 children and PLWG for one month
Health Cluster partners and members continue to provide awareness sessions. UDER reached 5,626 individuals, and distributed hygiene items including liquid soap to 2,881 individuals. DDD reached 1,851 individuals through six PHCs.
SDI reached 922 individuals through PHC and household sessions. SIG delivered 612 parent sessions, 341 local council sessions, 4,122 HH visits, and 196 pharmacy visits, in addition to awareness activities during immunization sessions. Global Communities delivered a daily message through 590 WhatsApp groups hosting 35,741 members. SEMA reached 6,883 individuals and distributed 81 hygiene kits
SCD conducted awareness activities in 231 camps, mosques, bakeries and markets using 20,000 posters. IDA delivered 1,187 individual and 189 small group awareness sessions. Shafak delivered 249 sessions and conducted 26 hygiene promotion activities. SIMRO delivered six group sessions, and Aleppo Health Directorate  ( AHD )  continued conducting visits to local councils in northern Aleppo.
COVID 19: Across Syria, preventive measures due to COVID 19 have caused shelter and NFI activities to slow down or even stop during the second quarter of 2020.
Conversely, there has been a significant increase in diarrhoea cases in Washokani camp, with 85 of 192 consultations administered in one week earlier in June diagnosed as diarrhoea  ( equivalent to 44 per cent of medical consultations )  . As with Al Hol, contaminated ice appears to be a key source of this outbreak.
[ July 2021, NWS and Ras Al Ain – Tell Abiad ]  More than 1 million children are estimated to be out of school out of a population of 1.7 million school aged children.
Furthermore, supporting the national COVID 19 response, WFP in July commenced a six month institutional feeding project in cooperation with the World Health Organization  ( WHO ) , whereby WFP is providing food to vulnerable people in COVID 19 quarantine centres.
As part of the COVID 19 response, WFP continued to include soap alongside GFA rations as well as informational leaflets on hygiene and recreational booklets. WFP also included hygiene items under its CBT programme. These initiatives are done in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund  ( UNICEF )  and the United Nations Population Fund  ( UNFPA )