nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Given this situation [ Average household debt is now 46,299 AFS/US$602, up from 9,813 AFS/US$128 in 2019. Of displaced households in debt, the primary reason for taking on this debt was to pay for food  ( 53 per cent )  ] , there is an urgent need for additional funding for winterisation support to help struggling households survive the harsh weather ahead. 4.8 million people are in urgent need of support to survive the winter season. The ICCT's $138m Winterisation Plan remains woefully underfunded with only $64m received. Support from the Government towards this plan is urgently needed.
Health Services: Hospitals and clinics continue to report challenges maintaining or expanding their facilities' capacity to treat patients with COVID 19, as well as maintaining essential health services, especially in areas of active conflict. WHO stresses the need to balance the demands of responding directly to COVID 19, with simultaneously engaging in strategic planning and coordinated action to maintain essential health service delivery, mitigating against the risk of system collapse.
More than 2.9 million people have been reached with WASH assistance. More than 596,000 people have been reached by ES NFI partners with key messages on prevention of COVID 19.
Second Wave: The MoPH has confirmed that Afghanistan is in a second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. Following two months of consistently lower confirmed COVID 19 cases, MoPH tracking data is starting to reflect anecdotal reports of a recent uptick in cases, with 1,495 new COVID 19 cases recorded over the past week. Furthermore, suspected and confirmed cases of COVID 19 are again rising in the western part of the country in particular. According to WHO, the Hirat Regional Hospital is currently operating at full capacity, prompting local authorities to ask NGO health partners to expand bed capacity for COVID 19 patients. The hospital has now expanded its bed capacity from 100 to 130 beds, all of which are now filled with COVID 19 patients. Other COVID 19 hospitals in Kandahar and Nangarhar are also operating at full capacity.
Health Cluster partners have reached 4.7m people with risk communication and community engagement messages.
Only 36% of women responders have mentioned they know protection methods whereas men are a bit higher with 45% of respondents mentioned that they are aware about protection from spread of infection
Increasing influenza vaccine coverage can reduce the strain on the health care system and free up limited health resources to focus on treating more severe cases of COVID19. Public health experts strongly urge the public to follow health advice on physical distancing, mask wearing, good hygiene, hand washing and other proven strategies that mitigate the risk of COVID 19 transmission amid this second wave.
The MoPH confirmed on Thursday, 19 November, that Afghanistan is in the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Moreover, following two months of consistently lower confirmed COVID 19 cases, MoPH tracking data is beginning to reflect anecdotal reports of a recent uptick in cases, with 209 new COVID 19 cases recorded over the past 24 hours and 1,338 cases over the past week.
On 3 March, mixed food distribution for 5,508 vulnerable families  ( 38,556 people )  began in Tirinkot, Uruzgan Province through WFP's seasonal support programme.
The forecast of persistent above average temperatures and below average precipitation may lead to reduced snowpack development, earlier than usual snowmelt, and reduced water for second crop cultivation. The first crop cultivation, especially in the downstream areas, may be vulnerable to temperature and moisture stresses. Further, rain fed crop production and rangeland vegetation are likely to be affected by the below average precipitation and above average temperatures in the coming months.
Partners work to ensure IDP and returning refugee children have access to learning spaces and accelerated learning programs to help children prepare for enrollment in formal schools, as well as support initiatives to improve infrastructure in schools within host communities.
United State Government partners also implement child protection activities and services for GBV survivors, provide legal assistance to returning refugees to access documentation, and integrate MHPSS and other protection measures into education, health, and nutrition programming.
Through FY 2020 funding, the United State Government supports seven partners to implement lifesaving health activities across nearly 30 provinces to improve community health awareness, bolster outpatient consultation efforts, and provide support to essential health services
In response to secondary effects of the pandemic such as increased food insecurity and protection risks USG partners are delivering multipurpose cash assistance, increasing provision of protection services to affected populations, and supporting efforts to increase livelihoods opportunities for returning refugees. In addition, USG implementing partners have adapted some activities in response to the pandemic as they continue to address other humanitarian needs.
United States Government partner supported mobile health teams are also conducting outpatient consultations and referring and transporting suspected COVID19 cases to isolation and treatment facilities, as well as advising treatment facilities on proper COVID 19 protocols.
Afghanistan and neighboring countries have maintained border restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID19,
Points of entry: • 12 MHTs and 4 IOM TB/COVID 19 screening teams, consisting of 389 staff, are deployed to major border crossing points. • 536,363 people have been screened at points of entry by Health Cluster partners. • Temperature checks and screening activities are ongoing through deployment of 98 screening staff at all major border crossings with Iran and Pakistan
FSAC ( Food Security and Agriculture Cluster )  partners continue to monitor the flow of commercial vehicles carrying humanitarian food and supplies across borders to mitigate pipeline breaks for critical food and non food items.
Infection Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  training has been provided to 4,350 healthcare workers by Health Cluster Partners.
According to WHO, the Hirat Regional Hospital is currently operating at full capacity. The hospital has now expanded its bed capacity from 100 to 130 beds, all of which are now filled with COVID 19 patients. Other COVID 19 hospitals in Kandahar and Nangarhar are also operating at full capacity.
IOM has supplied more than 88,000 units of PPE  [ personal protective equipment ]  across 6 provinces.
More than 150,000 units of PPE  [ personal protective equipment ]  were provided to MoPH by WHO. However, issues around a clear distribution plan remain unresolved.
Health Cluster partners are supporting testing through provision of diagnostic kits and other laboratory reagents.
Donors, OCHA and UN Agencies should Support community based responses by making direct funding available for local responders, especially women led organizations working to address GBV and advance gender equality to help localize the humanitarian assistance and increase women and girls' leadership and participation.
Some recommended working to raise awareness and provide information about COVID 19 to the community. A few respondents suggested radio based education for their kids so that they don't miss school.
During the reporting period, 384 Biosand filters  ( BSFs )  were distributed across Daykundi province to promote safe water consumption at the household leve
332,920 people displaced by conflict in 2020 as of 27 December.
Ensure GBV and protection activities are integrated into all current and future responses.
Identify and leverage appropriate technologies for information dissemination on COVID 19, GBV, and psychosocial support, especially targeting women and girls, IDPs, persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalized groups.
Ensure resources are not diverted from SRH services, and MoPH and relevant line ministries should ensure SRH services are an essential response to the COVID 19 crisis.
Ensure the lockdown measures effect on humanitarian assistance is minimized by opening roads and putting place exception for humanitarian assistance deliveries.
Strengthen security measures and promote safety measures for women and girls and address violence and conflict issues in the community.
Facilitate collaboration with community based organizations, private sectors, and local authorities to support IGA initiatives and provide market stimulating responses to meet basic needs, such as cash transfers/vouchers. When possible, link small traders with whole sellers to mitigate the price shocks.
Prioritize livelihood and food security interventions by ensuring adequate food access, especially for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under five years old, and IDPs. Provide food assistance and, where possible, to this with cash transfers.
Ensure basic health services for issues other than COVID 19 are available. Emphasis should be on ensuring resources for women's SRH services are not diverted as a result of the crisis – services could include remote clinics and increased home visits by trained community women health workers.
Engage the overall humanitarian community, regional level humanitarian team, and government actors to actively support and advocate gender sensitive response in the emergency preparedness and coordination.
All Humanitarian Actors should recognize GBV prevention, mitigation and response as lifesaving and integrate GBV into programming by ensuring adequate and appropriate GBV prevention and response measures are in place among essential services, including access to resources for GBV prevention and response, referral mechanisms, provision of safe space for women and girls at risk of GBV, and provision of psychosocial support
104,470 Number of people affected by natural disasters in 2020  ( AS OF 10 JANUARY )
257,940 Received assistance IN 2020  ( AS OF 10 JANUARY ) .
IN Kabul, 33% of men health workers are experience moderate to high degree of stress and about 10% of men reported high degree of stress.
Education Cluster: 1,460 teachers trained on safe school protocols for COVID 19 for when schools re open.
Some respondents highlighted the need for GBV referral systems, legal support, and centres to support GBV survivors. MoWA representative and some community leaders mentioned the need to create safe spaces for women and girls.
Representatives from line departments and community leaders echoed the same need as survey respondents. Significant needs remain cash, food, health service  ( including SRH ) , jobs and hygiene kits, and PPE.
The respondents' immediate needs are relatively similar among women and men, and rural and urban respondents. They all mostly prioritized food, cash, and health services. Respondent's response clearly shows the need for food assistance during the lockdown, and cash support as families are striving to maintain some level of livelihood and increasing demand for health care services.
Furthermore, respondents noted their preference for humanitarian assistance, with the majority choosing cash transfers, followed by in kind support and service delivery. Assistance through vouchers received the lowest preference among respondents.
Only 16 respondents prioritized protection; 87.5% of respondents who prioritized protection are male respondents.
Education, sanitation hygiene, and water needs were selected by an average number of participants. Shelter and protection were the least prioritized by respondent
Aid: Despite limited available humanitarian support, the number of people depending on aid has increased after COVID 19. Forty six respondents  ( 56.5% women and 43.5% men )  said they are dependent on aid to cope with the livelihood and financial challenges. The number of people dependent on aid before COVID19 was 32  ( 81.2% women and 18.8% men ) ; the increase in aid dependency after COVID 19 is witnessed among men respondent only.
1,180 COVID 19 specific protection monitoring interviews were conducted across 14 provinces between 9 November and 13 December, bringing the total to 6,565 interviews since the start of the crisis
25,135 IEC materials on COVID 19 were distributed across 9 provinces during the reporting period. 100,395 IEC materials have been distributed by Protection Cluster partners since the start of the crisis.
There is need for additional breastfeeding corners to be established at nutrition sites to ensure appropriate physical distancing measures
There is a need for additional MHNTs to provide timely detection and treatment of malnutrition cases.
1,274,833 people have been reached with COVID 19 specific food assistance by WFP between 1 March and the first week of December. This is in addition to the emergency assistance provided to displaced people, regular assistance to returnees and seasonal support to people in IPC 3 & 4.
Some 229 newly arrived refugee returnees from Iran, 183 from Pakistan and six from other countries were interviewed upon arrival at the four encashment centers as part of UNHCR's returnee monitoring in 2020. The main reasons for leaving Pakistan and Iran stated by interviewed returnees were high cost of living and lack of employment opportunities. Only four interviewed returnees reported that they or their relatives were arrested in Iran and Pakistan in 2020.
The majority of GBV survivors prefer to be silent about GBV cases; if they seek remedy, they prefer to use informal remedies and handle the situation with community elders  ( Malak ) , religious leaders  ( Mula Imams )  and member of the community  ( ‘Shuras' )  through a male family member. They rarely go to the police and women affairs directorate to report GBV cases
Community leaders and line representatives also said people are using begging as a coping mechanism; they indicated the growing number of women and girls are begging on the streets after the crises.
More than six months into the Covid 19 crisis, people across Afghanistan are struggling to cope having used up savings and taking on new debt, but now face additional fears such as being evicted from their homes or having to resort to negative coping strategies.
The presence of improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  and military operations continued to restrict civilian movement across the south, especially in Hilmand province. Ongoing clashes between the Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  hindered the movement of goods in contested districts which is negatively impacting the regional economy centered around Kandahar province.
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in the north east mainly in Baghlan e Jadid, Baghlan province.
While respondents didn't experience conflict in their households, they indicated that more men are on the street and in the neighbourhood because of job loss. The loss of income and home confinement could aggravate conflict and domestic violence. Other risks of sexual abuse and exploitation are heightened in many countries, as protection measures are weak/broken due to the lockdown.
Mobile phones are also used to expand outreach but in areas where there is mobile network coverage. Study shows that 80% of Afghan women now have some access to mobile technology, either through their own phone or through a phone belonging a family member. Although the level of access and control Afghan women have over a mobile phone is not clear, mobile phones can be leveraged by government and non government actors to reach out to women, disseminate information, and provide technology based psychosocial and financial support.
However, representatives indicated that a high level of illiteracy could affect people's perception of the virus and the preventive measures. The male literacy rate is higher than women; the male literacy rate  ( age 15+ )  is 62%, the female literacy rate is 18%. Data shows that only one in five women in Afghanistan is literate, and the literacy rate for women in rural areas is three times lower than in urban areas. This shows the need to consider women's low levels of literacy in the information dissemination efforts.
A large number of women know about the COVID 19 referral system, with 111 saying COVID 19 cases have to be referred to hospitals identified by the government to treat the case. Only 50 women  ( 20 from rural and pre urban and 30 from urban areas )  said they do not know the referral system
Returnee monitoring is an inherent part of the protection monitoring carried out by UNHCR in Afghanistan. UNHCR monitors refugee returnees through the entire process of voluntary repatriation. UNHCR interviews those who plans to return at the VRCs in the country of asylum, monitors the return conditions at the Encashment Centers in Afghanistan, and follows up on the returnee's situation one to six months later through phone surveys. UNHCR also monitors the protection environment of refugee returnees through its community based protection monitoring, which collects gender and age disaggregated data based on population groups including refugee returnees.
All returnees are provided with a multipurpose cash grant  ( on average USD 250 per person )  at four Encashment Centers. UNHCR's cash grants to refugee returnees are intended to prevent, reduce, and respond to immediate protection risks and vulnerabilities upon return to Afghanistan. Most of the interviewed returnees stated that they will spend the cash grant to pay transportation cost to their destination and buy food and other basic commodities
In addition, UNHCR, in line with the measures recommended by MoPH and WHO, adopted a new SOP in all Encashment Centers, which is aimed to prevent the spread and transmission of COVID 19. This includes awareness raising sessions for all returnees using materials provided by MoPH and WHO, health screening, referral of suspected cases to health facilities, additional handwashing facilities, distribution of face mask for returnees and provision of PPEs for staff including partner staff working in the EC
A joint UN Women and IRC survey conducted in September 2020 revealed an increase in time spent by women and girls collecting water compared to pre COVID 19 levels, potentially increasing their risk of exposure to the virus. 40 per cent of the consulted IDPs, 45 per cent of returnees and 27 per cent of host community members reported an increased time required to procure water.
UNHCR, in consultation with the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, agreed to continue the facilitated voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees during the winter season. This will enable Afghan refugees to return during the season, including those who were unable to do so in the previous months due to COVID 19 related restrictions. Voluntary repatriation from Iran and other countries has also continued throughout the year
Additional production of MUAC tape is needed for children and pregnant and lactating women. Additional production will strengthen the existing mother/family led MUAC initiative that equips mothers/caretakers to screen children within their households and refer malnourished children for treatment
Organisations are aware of the family reunification process for child returnees from Iran. Transporting children has risks due to COVID 19 – especially with restrictions on mobility between cities in Afghanistan.
Malnutrition is on the rise and is putting people at increased risk to COVID 19. Undernourished people have weaker immune systems, exposing them to greater risk of severe illness due to the virus. For instance, a severely undernourished child is nine times more likely to die from common infections than a well nourished child.
Education Cluster:  129,086 children reached with home based learning materials across 15 provinces.  81,624 children across 4 provinces received education through small group learning.  100,674 children across 11 provinces received IEC materials on COVID 19 preventative measures.  319,137 children across 4 provinces sensitised on COVID 19 and preventive measures through TV and radio.  2,460 teachers trained on safe school protocols for COVID 19 for when schools re open.
To enhance the reporting and data management capacity of the Provincial Public Health Directors  ( PPHD ) , IOM has deployed over 230 staff as well as donated IT equipment to PPHDs in Hirat, Nangarhar, Nimroz and Kandahar provinces.
The Awaaz Afghanistan inter agency call centre continuously supports partners with the dissemination of key COVID 19 messages. As of 14 February 2021, Awaaz had reached over 44,000 callers with pre recorded COVID 19 messages and directly handled 3,866 calls related to COVID 19 from all 34 provinces. 23 per cent of all calls came from women and 2 per cent from people indicating to have a disability. All figures are reported through Awaaz's interactive dashboard. There has been a considerable drop in COVID 19 related enquiries during this reporting period compared to last year. In May 2020, during the first wave, calls related to COVID 19 represented roughly 20 per cent of the overall call volume handled, while only 1 per cent of calls in January 2021 highlighted a need or question around COVID 19. Awaaz Afghanistan remains on standby to share approved COVID 19 vaccination messages with callers.
Additional paediatricians are needed at inpatient departments for Severe Acute Malnutrition  ( IPD SAM )  wards to deal with the COVID 19 outbreak.There is need for additional breastfeeding corners to be established at nutrition sites to ensure appropriate physical distancing measures
Between 11 January and 14 February, 6,952 people received Psychosocial Support through various modalities across 10 provinces. Since the start of the pandemic, some 335,068 people across 20 provinces received Psychosocial Support to help them cope with the psychosocial related consequences of COVID 19.
Families who have been recently displaced by conflict, particularly in Daykundi and Uruzgan, are living in crowded areas at heightened risk of COVID 19 and are in need of food, NFIs and COVID 19 prevention materials.
Lack of COVID 19 specific funding has limited ES NFI cluster's capacity to support the pandemic responses. Expanding the shelters of vulnerable households to reduce overcrowding and mitigate the spread of the virus should be prioritised.
Emergency Shelter & NFI Cluster requires $57.5m to reach 1.35m people with heating materials, winter clothing and blanket packages assistance. The Cluster has received $20.78m to assist 397,908 people, leaving a gap of $36.72m.
The WASH pipeline remains in need of replenishment to cover COVID 19 response, new conflict induced IDP needs and to prepare for La Nina driven needs
The COVID 19 vaccination campaign is expected to start very soon with healthcare workers identified as a top priority group. The Health Cluster reports that increased advocacy is needed to ensure that vulnerable populations are included in the early stages of the vaccination campaign
Food Security Cluster:1.53m people have been reached with COVID 19 specific food assistance by WFP between 1 March 2020 and the second week of February 2021.
IOM has supplied more than 71,000 units of PPE, 3,716 bottles of hand sanitiser, 825 bottles of antiseptic liquid and 5,068 bars of soap across six provinces .
On 25 March, the Afghan Government began to limit the movement of residents in Herat provinces, after Herat emerged as a major source of internal transmissions in Afghanistan.
Laboratories: 22 laboratories are now operational. Afghanistan currently has technical capacity to carry out 8,500 tests per day.  193 healthcare workers have been trained in medical laboratory testing.  Health Cluster partners are supporting testing through provision of diagnostic kits and other laboratory reagents.
Infection prevention and control  ( IPC ) : UNICEF, with the support of the World Bank and the Government of Japan, has distributed 569,823 units of PPE directly to health providers nationwide.
Surveillance, rapid response teams, and case investigation:  3,931 healthcare workers have been trained by Health Cluster partners in surveillance and risk communication to carry out activities in contested areas.  IOM MHTs have trained more than 1,174 Community Health Workers  ( CHWs )  and 100 school teachers on COVID19 awareness, prevention, identification and referrals
Country level coordination and response planning: Health partners continue to support Government led response to COVID 19 and plan for the rollout of vaccinations.  In 2020, humanitarians were able to reach 11.75m people in all 401 districts with some form of assistance, exceeding targets.  Humanitarian partners are currently implementing a Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP )  which integrates COVID19 needs into the overall response in 2021. Of the 18.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, humanitarian partners have prioritised 15.7 million to receive support in 2021, for which US$1.3 billion is required.
Humanitarian Needs and Response Planning: The newly revised Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP )  for 2018  2021 identifies 18.4 million people in humanitarian need in 2021, as a result of COVID 19, ongoing conflict and natural disasters. Approximately six times the number of people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021 compared to four years ago when the multi year HRP was first developed. The health and socio economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic have seen the number of people in need almost double in the past year alone. Afghanistan now has the second highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world  ( 5.5 million ) , while nearly one in two children under five will face acute malnutrition in 2021
All WASH activities are contributing to the COVID 19 response, with the scaling up of hand washing, hygiene promotion and hygiene kit distribution considered a top priority. Between 11 January and 14 February, 439,856 people were reached with WASH assistance, bringing the total to 3,730,762 people reached since the start of the crisis.
Response: RCCE work has focused on maintaining utilisation of health services, combatting stigma, promoting physical distancing and mitigating complacency among people continues across the country. During the reporting period, Health Cluster partners continued risk communication messaging on physical distancing, vaccination and home based care.
Protection Cluster:  335,068 people received psychosocial support to cope with the mental health effects of COVID 19.  790 children received COVID 19 story books.  276,308 people received community based awareness raising on the protection of children and positive coping mechanisms during the COVID 19 pandemic.  4,523 persons with specific needs  ( PSNs )  received cash assistance across the country to help them cope with the financial impact of COVID 19.
Emergency Shelter & NFI Cluster:  596,399 people in 16 provinces reached with ES NFI awareness raising sessions on prevention of COVID 19.  12,807 IEC materials distributed across 9 provinces.  1,304 NFI kits distributed across 6 provinces to families at risk from COVID 19.  182,663 face masks distributed by ES NFI Cluster partners across 4 provinces.
In addition to the 4.1 million people displaced since 2012 who remain in some form of protracted displacement, more than 155,000 people have been displaced by conflict since the onset of the pandemic in mid March.6
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Cluster:  3.73m people reached with WASH assistance including through hygiene promotion, hand washing and distribution of hygiene kits.  214,700 hygiene kits distributed, reaching 1,307,115 people.  More than 5.6m bars of soap distributed in 379 districts across the country
Health Cluster:  444 healthcare workers trained in Intensive Care.  193 healthcare workers trained in medical laboratory testing.  2,742 community health and first aid volunteers across 30 provinces trained in psychosocial first aid and risk communication.
Health Cluster:  34,000 polio surveillance volunteers engaged in surveillance, case identification and contact tracing.  8,954 polio surveillance volunteers trained on raising COVID 19 awareness, clinical diagnosis, case identification and contact tracing.  537,764 people screened at points of entry by Health Cluster partners.  4,733,123 people reached with risk communication and community engagement messages by health partners.  597,901 people traced through Health Cluster surveillance systems since the start of the crisis
144,238  ( 53,727 men and 79,139 women )  patients received treatment and emergency referral services through IOM's MHTs across 4 border provinces – Hirat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar.
Case management: 29 isolation wards have been opened by partners since the start of the crisis.
Infection Prevention and Control  ( IPC )  training has been provided to 4,350 healthcare workers.
More than 34 million units of PPE  ( surgical masks )  were provided to MoPH by WHO. However, issues around a clear distribution plan remain unresolved. With support from ECHO, WHO has delivered more than 1.2m PPE items to frontline NGO workers.
Points of entry:  7 MHTs, 14 RRTs and 4 IOM TB/COVID 19 screening teams, consisting of 389 staff, are deployed to major border crossing points.  537,764 people have been screened at points of entry by Health Cluster partners.  Temperature checks and screening activities are ongoing through deployment of 98 screening staff at all major border crossings with Iran and Pakistan
Risk communication and community engagement  ( RCCE   accountability to affected populations ) :Since 1 March 2020, IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix  ( DTM )  field teams have reached more than 151,859 community leaders and influencers among host, IDP and returnee populations, including humanitarian and development partners and providers of essential services, with RCCE messaging in over 12,600 villages across 34 provinces. IOM's priority focus is on mobile and displaced people in affected areas
Risk communication and community engagement  ( RCCE   accountability to affected populations ) :The RCCE Working Group produced a rumour tracking sheet that has been disseminated through MoPH and UN/NGO partners. It has also carried out an assessment showing communication preferences and the most trusted information sources by geographical area, down to the district level. The RCCE Working Group also developed SelfIsolation at Home Guidance Messages which are availabe in English, Dari, Pashto. More than 4.73m people have been reached with RCCE messages by health partners.
In Afghanistan, over 80 per cent of the population live on less than the internationally applied poverty line  ( US$1.90 per day ) 1 and the vulnerability of IDPs, returnees, and host communities has been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic.
3,303 women and 10,397 nutritionally at risk children under the age of 5 years received blanket supplementary feeding. 20,761 pregnant and lactating women  ( PLW )  received assistance through targeted supplementary feeding programmes  ( TSFP ) , while 9,500 caregivers received Infant and Young Child Feeding  ( IYCF )  and Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition  ( MIYCN )  counselling.
Education Cluster: 123,656 children reached with home based learning materials across 15 provinces.10,314 children across 4 provinces received education through small group learning
Respondents without safe access mentioned the lack of water and latrine, safety, and lack of separate toilets for men and women as major reasons for their lack of safe access to such services.
Out of 322 respondents, 289 of them  ( 51.5% women and 48.5% men )  said they have safe access to water; 291 respondents  ( 49.5% women and 50.5% men )  said they have safe access to a latrine; additionally, 302 respondents  ( 50% women and 50% men )  said they have access safe bathing facilities. Only 12  ( 33.4% women and 66.6% men )  and 25  ( 52% women and 48% men )  said they don't have access to a safe latrine
Women in Afghanistan face restrictions regarding their movement and social life due to traditional and patriarchal norms, which prevent them  ( mainly in rural and conservative areas )  from accessing education, healthcare, employment, and deprives them from public participation and freedom of movements
On 7 February, Afghanistan received 500,000 doses  ( one person requires two doses to have a complete course )  of AstraZeneca's COVID 19 vaccine from India, the first vaccine supplies Afghanistan has received to date.
Almost 8 per cent of the total confirmed COVID 19 cases are among healthcare staff and they will be the highest priority for vaccination. There is an urgent need to ensure a continued distribution of medical and protective equipment to all corners of the country.
Afghanistan now has a test positivity rate – positive tests as a percentage of total tests – of more than 19 per cent, suggesting overall under testing of potential cases.
A large number of respondents, 280 people  ( 51.1% women and 48.9% men ) , said they don't have health and hygiene kits to take COVID 19 protection measures.
Interagency assessment teams identified 23,842 people to receive immediate humanitarian assistance. A total of 25,963 people received humanitarian assistance   among them are 364 newly displaced people, 175 people affected by natural disasters, 700 IDPs in prolonged displacement, 3,836 vulnerable people in host communities and 21,518 people who receive seasonal support and food aid in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Community leaders indicated they don't have a lot of formal actions to provide specific services. Still, they are trying on ad hoc bases to help households that are struggling in their community. The support includes borrowing money, food, land, and organizing Zakat . Some community leaders have health committees and have provided washing services.
According to some representatives from MoPH, community members have a lot of misconceptions about the virus, and awareness creation from religious leaders could be an excellent tactic to challenge misinformation
On average, there are no significant differences in involvement in decision making among women in urban and rural districts in the nine  ( 9 )  provinces. Regarding decision making, women respondents from urban districts of Ghazni, Hirat, Kabul, Khost, Gardez, Charikar, and Kandahar provinces reported higher decision making proportion over decisions related to working to earn money, selling assets, visiting relatives, accessing health care and children's education.
Recommendations to the Government of Afghanistan: • identify, plan for and address the long term consequences of Covid 19 on displacement affected communities • ensure that displaced populations have sustainable access to safe and appropriate housing • actively facilitate humanitarian access to support the Covid 19 response
While school reopening is starting, the economic impacts of Covid 19 and the strain on family incomes is likely to make it more difficult for children to return to school
For the 3.7 million children who were already out of school – it is likely to be even more difficult to get them back.
Girls are even more at risk of being deprioritized when it comes to the cost of schooling and already face more limited access to education because of other issues, including security.
In interviews with displacement affected people in Kandahar, 83 per cent had received threats of eviction and 97 percent saw a high risk of eviction, with women particularly affected.
The market shock and the loss of income are determinant for daily wage labourers, people who work on the street, and small traders, predominantly men, who completely lost their source of income.
Poverty and unemployment are on the rise; the lack of food and income is a significant challenge for most vulnerable households. Households with large family sizes are more susceptible and struggling to put food in the table, as the lockdown shakes their livelihood.
Afghanistan experienced a sharp deterioration in the welfare of the Afghan population, with an increase in the national poverty line from 34% in 2007 to 55% in 2017.
Considering existing vulnerabilities and conflict in Afghanistan, COVID 19 poses not just a public health crisis, but also a socio economic catastrophe for the country.
COVID 19 has since spread rapidly throughout Afghanistan, confirmed cases rose by 684% increase in May . As of July 15, 2020, there are 34,740 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Afghanistan, with 1,045 deaths across all 34 provinces in Afghanistan.
Norwegian Refugee Council activities are running from the Kandahar Area Office covering interventions across the province in addition to Education activities in Uruzghan and WASH & Shelter in Zabul;
Norwegian Refugee Council currently maintains presence in 18 provinces, with five key area offices in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar e Sharif, as well as field offices in hard to reach provinces of Nangarhar, Faryab, Khost, Kunduz, Nimroz, Sar e Pul, Zabul, Nimroz, Kunar, Badghisand Uruzgan. Field offices serve as a base from which mobile teams access neighbouring provinces and districts within provinces, giving NRC wider coverage.
Norwegian Refugee Council also supports the well being and resilience of children through increased capacities of the schools to address protection. This is ensured through implementation of the Better Learning Programme  ( BLP )    a classroom based curriculum, which teaches recreational strategies to cope with stress using practical and adaptable exercises that are integrated into classroom activities, and includes a targeted capacity building to teaching staff to ensure sustainability and promote psychosocial well being to students.
Therefore, Norwegian Refugee Council in close coordination with Ministry of Education and other partner needs to speed up the process of finalizing production of Self  Learning materials and start its implementation in order to decrease the above mentioned risks and reduce disruption to children's learning and schooling.
The findings of Accessibility survey in NRC coverage Area reveal that following distance learning through televisions and radio programmes are not applicable in NRC target locations due to lack of electricity and access to TV at household level as well as unavailability of smart phones and laptops
The findings indicate that none of the children have access to smart phones or laptops through which NRC could think of approaching them with recorded and available educational videos. Because these children mostly belong to IDPs residing in camps or most vulnerable host communities who currently are struggling for their routine expenses and cannot afford these devices.
As Ministry of Education is intended to reach out children through TV programmes and keeping in mind its accessibility concerns in remotes areas, NRC also wanted to utilize this opportunity and gather information from communities to see the possibility of reaching out these children through provision of educational videos produced by partners and MoE.
In addition to increasing teaching and physical space capacity of targeted schools, Norwegian Refugee Council sensitizes local authorities and raise awareness of targeted communities to ensure higher rates of enrolment and retention of out of school children.
Furthermore, despite recent agreement to reduce fighting, continued violence is seen and even escalated in Afghanistan, further complicating the response to the pandemic. Natural disasters happening in different seasons also create socio economic and health impacts.
Finally, WV Protection must refer vulnerable child laborers and their families to the FSL team to promote access to safe economic empowerment opportunities.
There is urgent need for increased economic and livelihood opportunities, as well as cash transfers to prevent negative coping mechanisms amongst affected population, such as child marriage and child labour.
The Directorate of Economy  ( DoE )  in Herat has been involved with case conferences and support for deportees since the beginning of the program.
Communities still have limited understanding – “Some people still think that this illness is only in Iran, not in Afghanistan.'
Conflict escalation across the country is restricting humanitarian access to affected populations
Animal fodder may also be required if destroyed. by floods.
Social workers emphasise the critical need to enrol minor returnees in school – to help children to cope with the effects of migration and COVID. They explain that as children are less informed, they need to go back to school to become accustomed to normal life after all they have been through. Yet these children do not have access to online learning.
Public offices, or children's shelters, report they are missing the basic hygiene requirements to face the spread of the virus – both in terms of equipment and facilities.
In a country already beset by natural disasters and conflict, the pandemic creates an additional layer of risk for vulnerable groups and individuals. Since the beginning of 2020, a total of 6,591 families  ( 46,137 individuals )  have been affected by natural disasters in Afghanistan across 33 provinces, with Kunar, Farah, Samangan, Nangarhar, Laghman, Faryab and Hirat being the most affected provinces.
86% of returnees stated they had information about the overall situation in Afghanistan, including the security situation in their place of origin, before leaving the country of asylum. Majority of the interviewed returnees  ( 70% )  stated that they received information from the Afghan communities in the country of asylum  ( CoA ) .
76% of Afghan refugee returnees interviewed at the Encashment Centres stated that they intend to return to their province of origin, while 24% stated that they would return to other provinces to reunify with their relatives, seek income opportunities and due to perceived insecurity
Upon return to Afghanistan, returnees are assisted at four Encashment Centers  ( ECs )  located in Kabul, Jalalabad, and Kandahar for returnees from Pakistan and other countries, and in Herat for those returning from Iran.
As of 14 March 2020, schools were advised that they should remain closed until 18 April.
During 2020, 2,147 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan  ( 1,092 ) , Iran  ( 939 ) , and other countries  ( 116 )  including India, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation
The initial happiness at the return of their child is a common but tempered reaction. Both parents and children interviewed frequently highlight the happiness families feel when their child returns to them alive and healthy, but also the anger and stress that surfaces after this initial reunification, especially given the financial stress that ensues upon a child's return.
Many still speak of going back to Iran once the pandemic is over. All respondents interviewed highlighted that, whether they were moving to Iran with or without the initial knowledge of their immediate families, they were reuniting with other members of family, friends, or community members in Iran.
An inter agency COVID 19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices  ( KAP )  survey conducted across 30 provinces in June revealed limited COVID 19 awareness, with 96 per cent of the respondents reportedly unaware of asymptomatic transmission and 78 per cent were unaware of transmission through droplets  ( saliva )  from infected people. 13 per cent of the respondents were unaware of washing hands regularly using soap, water or alcohol based hand gel as a COVID 19 preventative measure.
Social distancing is often not respected, and awareness raising at the border remains weak. Stakeholders interviewed suggested having a quarantine process at the border before taking the children home. This warrants further discussions, especially through the Afghanistan Protection Cluster  ( APC ) , to avoid causing more irreparable damages on children's mental wellbeing.
COVID 19 is rapidly spreading across Afghanistan, with a steep surge in the number of confirmed cases during the last weeks of June/early July. Different COVID 19 models show that the peak for the COVID 19 outbreak in Afghanistan is expected between late July and early August. As the scale of the crisis grows, increased testing, community engagement and case management are urgently needed to prepare for the approaching peak.
Eye protection Face shields are used mostly by COVID 19 responders but still less at 65%, whereas the overall it is 31%
The overwhelming majority face challenges related to livelihoods and insecurity at personal  ( 91% ) , household  ( 92% )  and commu  nity levels  ( 96% ) . When asked about the main trigger leading to their decision to migrate, 74 per cent indicated deciding to migrate after experiencing unemployment. Only in one province, Kunduz, did security score higher than jobs and livelihoods as a push factor to migrate abroad.
Food Security and Agriculture Cluster partners have also noted that the purchasing power of casual labourers and pastoralists has deteriorated by 3 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively  ( compared to 14 March ) .
According to World Food Programme's market monitoring, the average wheat flour price  ( low price and high price )  has increased by 12 per cent between 14 March and 15 July, while the cost of pulses, sugar, cooking oil and rice  ( low quality )  increased by 31 per cent, 21 per cent, 34 per cent, and 20 per cent, respectively, over the same period.
Half of the respondents had previously experienced crossborder migration  ( 45% )  and one third of respondents  ( 33% )  had experienced internal displacement at least once in their lifetime. Those with cross border experience were located in districts close to international borders in Herat, Balkh and Nimroz. Those who had experienced internal displacement were found in Kunduz city  ( 93% )  and Mazar e Sharif  ( 63% ) .
Avoid using unhelpful coping strategies such as tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. In the long term, these can worsen your mental and physical wellbeing
Some workers may unfortunately experience ostracization by their family or community due to stigma.
National Mental health survey 2018 showed that common mental disorder such as depression, generalize anxiety, PTSD are about 4.8%, 2.7% & 5.34% respectively, during 6 months of survey stress found around 47%  ( 24% with role impairment ) , Total mental health expenditure per person is almost 0.12 USD  ( WHO Atlas 2017 )
Physical Distancing  ( Social Distancing )  Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick, especially those with flu or cold or fever or sneezing  ( with symptoms of COVID 19 )  –  ( 92% ) ; Avoid Shaking hands with others  ( 80% )
Hygiene Practices: Handwashing regularly with soap/water  ( 93% ) ; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with hands & fingers  ( 89% ) ; Covering mouth and nose with a clean cloth while coughing or sneezing and wash hands  ( 85% ) , Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surroundings  ( 69% )
Boot covers is again mostly used by COVID 19 responders  ( 78% )  whereas the overall health workers' status is 31% only
Double gloves are mostly used by COVID 19 responders  ( 75% )  whereas the overall health workers' status is 46%
On a more macro level, the political dynamics and the faltering peace process, have all been impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic as well.
On 22 March, Public Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz urged the government to order the lockdown of the city of Herat.
With 88.8%  ( n=71 )  of children1 reporting personal contribution to the family income and with children who lost their jobs being forced into more hazardous employment  ( i.e., longer hours, more dangerous tasks or more harmful work circumstances ) , child labor must be addressed with immediate prevention and response.
Almost all surveyed children, who are in primary and lower secondary levels reported concerns about re opening schools, missing classes, not completing grades, lack of support from parents and insufficient financial means to return to school
Due to the lack of accessible devices and internet connectivity in their community, the majority of surveyed children did not report any online risks. Only 3 children  ( 3.8% )  said that most often they were exposed to inappropriate and harmful content while surfing the net.