nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
More than 3,600 humanitarian personnel, particularly health care workers, have been trained in infection, prevention and control, and 1,180 health care workers have been trained in case management. Twenty four  ( out of 54 planned )  isolation centers have been set up at governorate level, equipped with life saving essentials
The number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in Syria more than doubled over the course of July, for the second consecutive month. As of 01 August, the Ministry of Health in Syria had confirmed a total of 780 cases of COVID 19, with 43 related deaths
In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic, expanding and establishing camps are essential to decongest overcrowded sites, while also ensuring that services are available in the new locations. • Likewise, establishing and reinforcing camp management is required. CCCM Cluster's multisectoral service monitoring factsheet for May indicates that out of 907 sites hosting more than 1.41 million IDPs, camp management is not available in 515 sites.
According this displacement update in May 2020, the top priority needs for those who have been recently displaced include cash/voucher assistance  ( 36% ) , shelter  ( 27% ) , NFIs  ( 10% ) , food  ( 9% ) , health  ( 8% ) , water  ( 5% ) , safety and security  ( 5% ) .
In northwest Syria, the prices of basic goods continued to rise, and healthcare workers reported a critical shortage of supplies. The prices of medical and sanitation items also rose significantly in response to the pandemic.Despite the spread of COVID 19 in neighbouring regions and countries, no cases of COVID 19 were reported in northwest Syria as of June.
[ 29th September 2020, NorthEast Syria ]  To date, two cases of COVID 19 among residents has been confirmed, in addition to 20 personnel working in the camp  ( mainly healthcare workers ) . Both residents who have contracted COVID 19 have been released from the COVID 19 treatment facility after the specific isolation period.
Health and medical facilities are more damaged in regions that have witnessed intensified military operations and systematic targeting of hospitals and mobile clinics, mostly in the provinces of Idlib and Rural Damascus. Recent available data from WHO and Ministry of Health shows that almost 50% of public hospitals in Syria are not fully functioning. Despite the relatively low quality of services provided by these hospitals, the majority of people prefer them to private hospitals due to their relatively low fees.
UNFPA continues coordination with the Ministry of Health  ( MoH ) , other key line ministries, and actively advocates for efforts to provide SRH services during COVID 19 pandemic. UNFPA response includes provision of maternal and reproductive health services for pregnant and lactating women, operation of women and girls safe spaces, distribution of RH and dignity kits  ( both male and female ) , community awareness raising and referrals to both RH and GBV services.
The ongoing violent conflict has also significantly affected the human resources of Syria's health sector. A UN report issued on March 2020, states that up to 70% of health workers have left the country as migrants or refugees.6 Among those who left the country are highly qualified doctors in different medical specialities. This has negatively affected the health sector in terms of availability of a sufficient number of medical staff, quality of health services provided to patients, and capacity to obtain new techniques including those related to control and contain a pandemic like COVID 19.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  Road closure is mainly affecting food and input supply in Dará,  ( Rural Damascus )  and Deir ez Zor.
An online group of approximately 195 beneficiaries has been created for the FPU4 . Vocational training visual and audio materials on topics such as: hairdressing, cooking, sewing, life skills, literacy classes, recreational activities such as aerobics are disseminated by trainers weekly. Additionally, awareness raising on topics such as COVID 19, stress management, raising children through different development stages etc. is being shared in the online group by social workers.
Additionally, the remaining staff have little or no access to professional medical training courses, often not even virtual ones, due to the following reasons: 1 )  inefficiency of health authorities in planning and following up on these sessions; 2 )  the chilling effect of sanctions which prevents international medical institutions from inviting Syrians to such training activities or sending experts to Syria and imposes immense restrictions on some of the providers of online training materials from making it accessible from inside Syria; and 3 )  lack of incentives and capacities among many medical staff inside Syria to attend these sessions.
[ 1 Nov 2020 ]   [ GoS ]  The MoH has announced, last evening  ( 1st November ) , the registration of 61 new COVID 19 cases, 45 recovered cases, and 4 deaths. Thus revealing that the total number of registered COVID 19 cases have reached 5789 cases, 2021 recovered cases, and 292 deaths.
Regionally, north west Syria is the area where most preventative measures are least practiced. For example, only 7 percent of households there practice social distancing, compared to 26 percent in central and south and 32 percent north east Syria
The continuous displacement led to a decrease in areas available to accommodate the newly displaced population.Although IDP sites are usually a last resort option, they are necessary in the current context in northwest Syria, and the issue of over populated IDP sites continues to be a concern.
As part of CCCM's monthly displacement tracking in May 2020, the total reported IDP population is 2,680,117 people. The number of IDPs who were reported as having returned to their community of origin during May is 74,894 people; with Ariha, Ehsem and Atareb recorded as the top three returnee destinations. In May, CCCM Cluster tracked 41,328 recent displacements, noting that people may have been displaced multiple times and that the reasons for movement may vary.
To support the MoH's announced plans to establish quarantine and isolation for treatment centres in all governorates, WHO completed inter sectoral mapping in coordination with departments of health. To date, humanitarian partners have been informed by local authorities  ( Governors and Departments of Health )  of 34 identified quarantine facilities and 50 isolation spaces across 13 governorates. At the central level, the MoH has announced 14 fully equipped isolation centers are currently running, with a cumulative capacity of 549 beds, including 505 isolation beds, 114 ICU beds, and 88 ventilators. The 37 quarantine centres are reported to have 4,865 beds.
On 20 April, NGOs opened a first phase  ( 60 beds )  of a 120 bed hospital in a repurposed factory building outside AlHasakeh; however, due to lack of demand, the hospital has been placed on standby, and can be reinstated quickly should circumstances necessitate.
At the same time, the north west is also the region where households report being least concerned about COVID 19: 51 percent are 'less' and 'not concerned', compared to 26 percent on the national level.
In the scope of preventative measures, 59 percent of households reported having decreased or stopped work or labor market engagement
The current outbreak of COVID 19 has impacted global and regional mobility in the form of various travel disruptions and mobility restrictions adopted since the declaration of global pandemics by WHO on March 11th, 2020.
[ 4th November 2020, Syria ]  Tawil added that the second epidemiological wave is always more brutal than the first, and the number of victims is higher, due to the easing of precautionary measures.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  Importation constraints as a result of the economic challenges, the ongoing crisis and sanctions and the impact of the ongoing Covid 19, which started in March 2020, have all contributed to the general rise in some agriculture inputs and products.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  Reauthorize cross border aid delivery to both border crossings, including one crossing in the northeast on the Iraqi Syrian border, for as long as necessary in order to ensure that sufficient humanitarian assistance, including medical personnel and aid to prevent the spread of Covid 19, reaches civilians in need in areas not controlled by the government.
[ 29th September 2020 , Overall Syria ] In total, 526 new cases have been announced since the last report. The MoH has also announced 192 fatalities, representing an increase of 85 since 1 September, or 44 per cent of all reported deaths. In addition, 1,074 recoveries were announced.
For COVID 19: • Another batch of supplies, under the SCHF allocation for COVID 19, were procured and distributed to 41 triage point  ( for 3 months ) , 1,600 CHWs  ( for 1 month )  and 700 Point of Entry  ( PoE )  workers  ( for 12 days ) : o 25 Ventilators to 3 Intensive Care Unit  ( ICU )  hospitals assigned for COVID 19 case management; o 595,000 examination gloves; o 150,100 surgical masks
1,989 households in Dara'a have so far received 14,000SYP through the e voucher system, to which UNFPA is contributing in order to provide assistance targeting pregnant and lactating women in partnership with WFP and UNICEF.
• Also, one COVID 19 Community Treatment Center  ( CCTC )  in Idleb City received: o 12,000 examination gloves; o 60 N95 masks; o 3,500 surgical masks; o 2,280 protective gowns
[ 4th November 2020, Syria ]  Tawil called on citizens to adhere to preventive measures as much as possible and to avoid crowded places
In terms of disease transmission, countries are at different stages. Algeria, UAE, Syria, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, and Sudan are all experiencing community transmission, while Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Libya are all reporting cluster of cases
As of 23 June, 1,409 samples have been collected and tested for COVID 19 using the polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  in laboratories in Idleb and Aleppo. All the samples have returned negative.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ] Road closure is not affecting food or input supply in 63% of the monitored locations across the 8 Governorates and the remaining 38% of locations have been affected in terms of food and input supply
[ 29th September 2020 , Overall Syria ]  Healthcare workers have also been affected, with 92 reported cases. As is the case elsewhere, limited testing likely means significantly higher numbers exist.
The total number of governorates affected is now eight – Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dar'a, As Sweida, Homs, Lattakia, Hama and Quneitra, although 85 per cent of all cases have been recorded in just two governorates – Damascus  ( 53 per cent )  and Rural Damascus  ( 34 per cent ) .
Based on information currently available, 92 per cent of cases are related to contact with confirmed cases and travel. 52 per cent of confirmed cases are among men and 48 per cent among women. The case fatality rate is currently 4%. To date, at least 22 health care workers have been infected with COVID 19.
Via seven Health Cluster members, about 745 awareness workers reached 90,246 people with different awarenessraising activities in Afrin, Ariha, A'zaz, Harim, Idleb, Jebel Saman, and Jisr Ash Shugur
Of course, overall testing capacity has increased but remains vastly insufficient. Therefore, as Under Secretary General Lowcock told this Council late last month, the true number of cases is probably much higher and the pandemic's impact may be far more serious than these numbers suggest. We already see that all areas are experiencing significant shortages of medical and personal protective equipment and there are concerns about the effect of COVID 19 on health workers.
During the first two weeks of June, 92 suspected cases were transported to the referral hospitals and to the CCTCs through the referral system. 35 cases were referred from the POEs and the other 57 from the primary health facilities. The Task Force distributed PPEs and Ventilators from the stock received in May 2020 to health facilities.
The UN family is leading preparedness and mitigation measures across the country, but the needs are immense and resources insufficient. We need your continued support, including in securing humanitarian access for all those in need of relief, in accordance with international humanitarian law. And we need to sustain the provision of waivers of sanctions that can undermine the capacity of the country to ensure access to food, essential health supplies and COVID 19 medical support to respond to the pandemic.
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  Increase support to humanitarian programs in northwest Syria to help respond to the growing needs of displaced persons and the wider community, including the response to Covid 19.
Between 29 April   13 May, eleven incoming repatriation flights holding some 2,270 Syrian nationals arrived in the country; 78 passengers on these flights were later confirmed as having COVID 19 cases  ( mainly from Kuwait, UAE and Sudan ) , prompting the suspension of all such flights.
And they continue to draw attention to the spread of COVID 19 in already vulnerable communities, the economic suffering of Syrians and the urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable of society – female headed households, Syrian refugees and internally displaced, and families struggling to cope with extreme poverty.
The humanitarian situation for people northwest Syria remains severe as the impact of COVID 19 preventative measures, and the rapid devaluation of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP )  are putting additional strain on the population, already suffering from the effects of nine years of conflict, insecurity, displacement and economic hardship. Of the 4.1 million people in northwest Syria, an estimated 2.8 million are in need of humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, water, health and education while the impact of these recent developments is entrenching the existing humanitarian needs and creating new ones
Another repatriation flight for 250 Syrian nationals from India also arrived on 2 July. Up to 1,200 Syrian students are understood to still require repatriation in total.
For COVID 19: • Due to continued attacks and other security situation, the EBS/alert system is facing problems to provide optimal response while there is a growing need to further strengthen system to detect and capture any signals related to COVID19 and all other morbidities reportable to the EWARN.
The COVID  19 preventive measures and lack of funding affected the implementation of the regular capacity building activities including the Personal Support Worker training, and the School Mental Health training of trainers and roll out. • It is challenging to find a way to minimize the possible disruption of NCD care when COVID 19 cases inside northwest Syria will begin to be confirmed. This can create a negative impact for every NCD patient. Alternative options should be in place such as telemedicine, virtual consultations and other strategies to assure continuation of NCD service delivery during COVID 19 pandemic.
To improve the quality of remote GBV case management and psychosocial support services due to the GBV risks exacerbated by COVID 19, UNFPA has initiated online GBV webinar modules, targeting GBV case managers on remote GBV service delivery.
A number of traders are reported to be experiencing a notable drop in stock levels, with some commodities not available, including vegetable oil and sugar, due to wholesalers waiting for the stability of the informal exchange rate
Shortages of other essential commodities, such as medicine, have also been reported in recent weeks.
One NGO has conducted two radio sessions where messages on COVID 19 awareness have been disseminated. In addition, outreach teams are already limiting conventional Focus Group Discussions  ( FGD )  and instead prioritizing household level outreach, while adhering to basic social distancing protocols though additional PPE support is needed for those outreach workers who have high levels of daily public exposure. As previously mentioned, outreach teams continue to report that many communities are complacent to the risk of COVID 19, with feedback to outreach workers that current mitigation measures are seen as an overreaction in view of the small number of confirmed cases
[ August 2020, Overall Syria ]  A further outbreak of the pandemic will exacerbate existing shortages and associated vulnerabilities. Crowded conditions in camps and poor access to basic services make it impossible to properly engage in social distancing or take other health precautions.
Many humanitarian partners have reported that the volatility of the informal exchange rate has forced a temporary suspension of local procurement, including vital COVID 19 related materials such as personal protection equipment  ( PPE ) , as suppliers have withdrawn tenders.
The Ministry of Health indicated that it has not managed to trace the source of most of the infections, although it could confirm that 104 people who tested positive arrived from outside the country.
Some key feedback on impact and risks affecting the population and markets: o Sharp decrease in people's purchasing power. This has consequent negative impact on shops and businesses  ( compounding impacts of COVID 19 related restrictions ) , and the number of people in need of assistance is increasing, creating new gaps in the humanitarian response. o Individuals have become more reluctant to loan cash due to fears over volatility of the exchange rate and their potential inability to repay. More requests for livelihoods projects such as cash for work and other job creation interventions. o Rising tensions between individuals with regard to accessing livelihoods opportunities and jobs. o Possible rise in criminal activities due to further worsening of living conditions. o High volatility of the exchange rate means all market transactions entail high risk. o Higher production and service costs are negatively impacting the availability of materials on the market. o Traders' expectations about potential extra purchasing value of their goods in the immediate future are causing a slowdown of trade dynamics.
Major humanitarian needs persist across all sectors while the vulnerability of the people is exacerbated by the devaluation of the Syrian Pound and the impact of COVID 19. Increasing protection issues continue to be reported, including genderbased violence such as early marriages, short term marriages, forced abortions and domestic violence.
• Rehabilitation work of 45 km of road and 6 drainage systems in Dana in Idleb governorate and A'zaz in Aleppo governorate was carried out. Rehabilitation of agricultural roads in Maaret Tamsrin and Mhambal in Idleb governorate is ongoing. • Recommendations were provided to ERL members for mitigating the risk of COVID 19 transmissions while implementing activities. • A specific Guidance Note, developed by a Cluster member, on the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in COVID 19 Response in general and in ERL activities was provided to ERL members.
There are 2,546 people still in isolation centres out of 16,015 who have been isolated since the beginning of the pandemic. The government has only five laboratories with PCR test devices in the Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Lattakia governorates, meaning that the actual number of people infected is likely much higher.
[ GoS, September ]  The Ministry of Health has announced 4200 cases, 35% of which has happened in September,. Along with 200 deaths, 44% of which has happened in September.
On July 19, the government organised parliamentary elections, which likely spread the virus further, while on July 22 it began a new round of tests on people living in Ras Al Maraa near Damascus in a bid to lift the quarantine that was imposed on the town two weeks ago. Three days earlier, the quarantine on the town of Jdaidet Al Fadl in Quneitra was lifted.
The cabinet also announced on July 21 that Syrians can travel outside the country, provided they conduct PCR tests in one of four private laboratories in Damascus. The cost of the test, which will be paid by the travellers, is not yet known.
Findings suggest that access to education was primarily hindered by the closure of schools as a result of preventative measures against the spread of COVID 19 taken by local authorities. However, KIs in 49% of communities with school closures reported that students were able to access education online, using improvised methods such as WhatsApp.
On July 21, reports from private banks indicated that the pandemic was spreading among the sector's staff. ATMs have not been working for over a month, meaning bank branches are overcrowded and cash operations are conducted face to face.
( NW 09/2020 )  KIs in more than 90% of communities cited low wages as a barrier to fulfilling basic needs.
Despite the surge in cases, the government has said that the economic situation did not allow for a new lockdown of the country, although it decided once again to close places attracting crowds, such as wedding and funeral venues.
the conflict related economy has exhausted public financial resources and made de facto authorities unable to adapt to the new economic situation or to compensate the economic loss that emerges from the closure of borders and businesses due to COVID 19 related measures.
The SIG said on July 21 that it has conducted 3,071 tests so far. No deaths have been recorded.
Policy Recommendations: Transparent Coordination Mechanisms, Supporting the Health Sector, Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges , Altering International Funding Mechanisms, Comprehensive Humanitarian Solutions.
In Idlib, the Syrian Salvation Government did not publish new data on the spread of the virus except for two recoveries. However, on July 18 it imposed new restrictions on the use of playgrounds.
The deteriorating economic status in all Syrian regions is also among the main challenges for containing COVID 19. The living conditions have sharply worsened in terms of housing quality, access to heating fuel, drinking water, and to appropriate sewage system. Internal displacement and the destruction of residential areas have led to an increase in the number of average members per household. Moreover, almost all the country's de facto authorities are unwilling or unable to impose and sustain the necessary measures and policies to contain the spread.
The situation in the areas under the control of the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria remained the same after last week's closure of all land crossings with regime areas.
Although the number of the officially declared COVID 19 cases is relatively low, our in country team's field observations and key expert interviews indicate a severe outbreak of COVID 19 and a surge in the mortality rates, which are not documented or officially registered by Damascus. Most of these outbreaks are located in Damascus and its countryside, such as Eastern Ghouta, specifically Douma, and Western Qalamoun areas, such as Yabroud, Qara and al Nabik. There are increasing news as well about an outbreak in northwest Syria, mainly Idlib and northern Aleppo.
To date, a total 51 confirmed cases of COVID 19 have been reported, including 23 from Idleb and 28 from Aleppo governorates. No deaths have been reported.
This move is all the more appalling given yesterday's confirmation of the first COVID 19 case in Idlib   a moment agencies like the IRC have feared since the pandemic began.
The removal of crossing points from Jordan and Iraq earlier this year, including Yaroubiya into Northeast Syria, has already left millions bereft of essential medicine and health supplies in the midst of the outbreak.
Four million people in the Northwest rely on cross border aid to survive; in Idlib, civilians beleaguered by a decade of war live in cramped conditions and are in extremely poor health, putting them at increased risk of the worst effects of this disease. The only way to reach them and spare lives and livelihoods is through the cross border response, set to expire today.
In NES  ( as of 16 August ) , local authorities formally announced the closure of all land border crossings into NES from both KRI and GoS areas in all but emergency cases as of 23 July. The weekly exemption for NES NGOs to cross into/out of NES via the Fishkabour Semelka crossing will remain in place. In addition, as the main commercial hub, the Walid crossing remains open to transport imports into NES.
Rather than increasing what little access remains in the Northwest   the two existing crossings of Bab al Hawa and Bab al Salam are already near maximum capacity   Russia and China have sought to reduce it even further, with just one border crossing remaining. Any further reductions would cut essential health supplies to one million people, and leave the UN unable to scale up in response both to COVID 19 and deteriorating food security.
The poor nutrition situation is largely attributed to continued exposure of children and PLW to unsafe living conditions, diseases  ( including impacts of COVID 19 ) , suboptimal infant and young child feeding  ( IYCF )  practices, high maternal malnutrition, low purchasing power, poverty, food insecurity, family separations and poor care practices, early marriages, and destruction of infrastructure causing limited access to health services, and inadequate sanitation and water supply
To date, WHO has provided enzyme kits  ( 31,240 reactions ) , extraction kits  ( 47,250 reactions ) , screening kits  ( 62,992 reactions )  and confirmatory testing kits  ( 1,920 tests ) , 52,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, five PCR machines and two extraction machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 21,000 bags for samples, and PPE for staff.
The IRC is working tirelessly on infection prevention and control across northern Syria, and ensuring our health workers can continue their life saving work. We urgently however need more funding, more medical supplies and, critically, cross border access to stave off this disaster in the making. The alternative is unthinkable.
( NW 09/2020 )  Child labour was utilized to cope with a lack of sufficient household income, and this coping strategy was most commonly reported in Daret Azza and northern Idleb.
WHO continues to bolster PPE supplies in Syria, with a focus on protecting health workers. To date, WHO has delivered more than 4.4 million PPE items, including 1.5 million medical masks, 67,848 N95/FFP2 respirator masks, 1.3 million gloves, 7,500 reusable heavy duty aprons, 83,869 gowns, 662,600 headcovers, 464,800 shoe covers 4,769 goggles and 18,406 coveralls, 3,500 face shields 308,407 alcohol hand rubs and 75 PPE kits.
( NW 09/2020 )  Lack of transportation to markets was cited as primary barrier to food markets among resident and IDP populations  ( 62% and 59% respectively ) , along with unaffordability  ( 78% for residents and 81% for IDPs ) .
UNICEF rehabilitated four pumping stations in Idleb Governorate securing safe drinking water for 63,000 people, and provided sodium hypochlorite to disinfect water across the country. Training in IPC and use of PPE also continued.
To date, UNICEF has supported light rehabilitation of WASH systems in 15 quarantine and isolation facilities across the country, including Al Hol, with plans to rehabilitate WASH facilities at a new isolation centre at the Al Assad hospital in Damascus underway. As previously reported, additional light rehabilitation of WASH facilities was also completed in the Dweir quarantine centre.
Immediate actions by all parties must be taken to prevent further tragedies,' said Khush* “UN cross border operations in North East Syria must be reinstated immediately and access inside the camp must be urgently improved.
As of 25 July, 23 people with COVID 19 have been identified in northwest Syria, with the first positive result recorded in Bab Al Hawa on 9 July. Of these cases, some are in the Idleb area while the remaining are in northern Aleppo governorate.
In April, WHO, UNHCR and UNICEF completed a COVID 19 awareness campaign covering the five formal IDP camps, 74 collective shelters, 43 IDP settlements in Ar Raqqa and Deir Ez Zor and two informal camps in Menbij.
For COVID 19: There is an urgent need to increase the testing capacity by bringing more PCR kits, extraction kits and viral transport equipment. There will be more demand on testing in the next period as a result of people fearing being infected, for tracing contacts and for active screening to contain the virus
While health partners are working intensively to ensure provision for all basic health services and resume operations, the restrictions in movement across the camp and the limited availability of skilled personnel to replace those who fall ill of COVID 19, such as health workers who may be quarantined, is a daunting challenge,
Following the hibernation of Emergency Programme Immunization  ( EPI )  activities at some centres, WHO guidelines were shared with implementing partners and health directorates in order to monitor rigorously the routine vaccination and to apply infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  measures. Health Cluster members working in vaccination will continue providing services. While six to 22 teams out of 132 suspended their vaccination activities for three days as following the confirmation of the first positive COVID 19 case, all teams are now operational and apply full IPC measures. All EPI teams are trained on using preventive measures and social distancing and they are monitored by supervisors.
[ November 9 2020 Overall syria ]  The ministry added that this brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,147, of which 2,302 cases recovered and 313 passed away.
WASH sector partners continue to deliver increased quantities of water to particularly vulnerable communities. In the reporting period, UNICEF continued to support water trucking, including 800 m3 daily to around 77,400 people in Eastern Ghouta; 900 m3 daily to 25,000 people in the Al Hol IDP camp and Al Hasakeh city; and 200 m3 daily to five camps in northern rural Aleppo.
41% of older people have difficulty accessing humanitarian assistance, especially for people not living in camps  ( 48% ) . It is interesting to note that older people in their 50s report more difficulty  ( 53% )  in accessing humanitarian assistance than people in their 60s or 70s.
In partnership with MoSAL, and as part of COVID 19 response, UNFPA has identified a total of 477 men, women, boys and girls hosted in 4 social care boarding centers, including homeless persons, persons living with disabilities. UNFPA started the first distribution of female and male dignity kits and sanitary napkins according to the needs in late June and will continue in July to cover all 4 boarding centers. UNFPA will continue to re assess the needs to continue supporting through distribution of dignity kits.
A further four workshops were conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Health targeting 120 trainees from public hospitals on IPC including waste management, monitoring and evaluation of the COVID 19 response and national guidelines for COVID 19 awareness and prevention measures.
The rapid devaluation of the Syrian Pound over the last months has deteriorated the purchasing power of local population. Moreover, the ongoing conflict in Northwest Syria continues to undermine the security of the local populations.
[ November 9 2020 Overall syria ]  On Saturday evening, the Health Ministry announced that 45 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Syria and that 48 people have recovered, while four patients have passed away.
In NWS  ( as of 16 August ) , during this reporting period, a WHO partner conducted IPC specialized training for 200 medical and non medical staff working at four CCTCs.
A COVID 19 outbreak in the area can be devastating considering the vulnerability of the local population and the under preparedness of the health system. Only 7% of the sub districts have a COVID 19 testing capacity. Only 153 ventilators and 148 beds for COVID 19 are available for a population of 4.1 million.
GBV awareness raising activities continue to be provided through social media platforms across 14 governorates by UNFPA implementing partners, covering topics related to COVID 19 prevention measures. Additionally, the messages have a GBV focus on intimate partner violence during lockdown, mental health awareness sessions, economic violence in relation to COVID 19, and GBV risk factors associated with COVID 19. 8713 people were reached by awareness raising messages through social media channels/platforms.
Since March 2020 GOAL has supported communities across Northwest Syria with COVID 19 prevention information, including social distancing and infection control education, and the provision of PPE.
GOAL said news of a COVID 19 case comes as a major blow for the conflict affected people living in densely populated and often unhygienic conditions in Idlib, with limited access to clean water, food and basic services.
One health partner provided two ventilators to Kafr Takharim hospital in addition to ICU beds and accessories.
In NWS, individual crossing to and from Turkey remains restricted while humanitarian and commercial deliveries are authorized. Bab Al Hawa  ( BAH )  and Bab Al Salam  ( BAS )  crossings remain partially closed, while facilitating measures have been granted for humanitarian supplies since the start of the health crisis. Therefore, UN cross border shipments continue and have in fact increased since March while commercial trucks  ( used by most NGOs )  were partially impacted. Humanitarian and commercial shipments, and NGO staff movements, continue through BAS and BAH from Turkey to Syria.
It was confirmed late on Thursday that a doctor contracted the virus at a hospital in a town in Idlib near the Turkish border. The doctor is reported to be self isolating and hospital he worked in has been closed.
During the first 2 weeks of July, 350 suspected cases were referred to the referral hospitals and to the CCTCs, of which 120 from the points of entry  ( PoE )  and 230 from the health facilities inside.
GOAL is one of the biggest NGO's operating in Idlib, supporting more than 1.1 million displaced people in the region. Since March GOAL has reached more than 800,000 displaced with vital COVID 19 messaging and provision of water, soap and hygiene kits.
The first case of COVID 19 in North West Syria is a major blow to the millions of civilians – mainly women and children – living in this area.
Irish humanitarian aid agency, GOAL, has expressed concern for the war torn population in Idlib in Northwestern Syria following confirmation of the first case of COVID 19 in the region.
GOAL Regional Director for the Middle East, Lorraine Marriott, said humanitarian aid groups have been hugely concerned about the risks of a coronavirus outbreak in north western Syria.
A wider COVID 19 outbreak would see families who are already fighting for survival – many without clean water or nutritious food – battle this highly infectious disease in overcrowded camps and shelters.
53% of the older people surveyed do not know where the nearest facility is for testing & treating for COVID 19. This is slightly higher among women  ( 56% )  compared to older men  ( 50% )  and this lack of knowledge is high for older people with disabilities  ( 58% ) .
UNFPA continues to conduct awareness raising sessions on COVID 19 in RH static clinics and mobile teams, targeting women, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women. The sessions are being conducted in: Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Sweida, Quneitra, Hama, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, Tartous, Aleppo, Al Hassakeh and Deir ez Zor. The awareness raising methods varied from conducting individual sessions, distributing awareness brochures issued by WHO and broadcasting messages
She said news of the first COVID 19 case in Idlib comes on the July 10th deadline for the UN Security Council vote to ensure continued access to the four million residents of Idlib with life saving humanitarian assistance.
Among the older people who are aware of where the facility for testing COVID 19, 45% reported that they cannot access them. This is higher among women  ( 50% )  compared to older men  ( 39% )  and for those living in Aleppo governorate  ( 62% )  and those not living in camps  ( 48% ) .
At the Sexual Reproductive Health Technical Working Group, Health Cluster members are receiving increasing reports of families giving pre pubescent girls hormonal medication to speed up puberty, so that they can marry and bear children. It is believed that this is a result of the desperate economic situation and the stresses/impact of COVID 19
UNFPA continues to provide family planning counselling and services. Contributing to the COVID 19 operation response plan, UNFPA has engaged key line ministries such as Ministry of Health  ( MoH )  and Ministry of Information  ( MoI )  to jointly develop media campaigns to raise awareness on COVID19 and reproductive health services. UNFPA has prepared and published posters, flyers in addition to short videos in collaboration with MoH and MoI to raise awareness on COVID 19 prevention measures, especially for pregnant and lactating women
Across Northwest Syria, GOAL teams provide lifesaving food, water and emergency response to approximately 1.1 million host communities and displaced persons. GOAL, along with its key partners Ishan and Big Heart, provide water to one million people and monthly food supplies to almost 41,000 households.
UNFPA is ensuring that implementing partners' staff members adhere to precautionary and preventive measures against COVID 19 by using hand gloves, masks and hand sanitizers when providing services. In addition, RH clinics are being disinfected and sterilized and measures are being taken to avoid overcrowding and protect women and girls from the risk of infection.
At short notice, an NGO has stepped in to cover this gap through its Mobile Medical Unit  ( MMU ) , initially comprising 1 doctor and 1 nurse but with capacity to scale up.
29% of the older people surveyed, including 32% of those with a disability, could not access their medication since the COVID 19 outbreak. The situation is worse in camps, where 43% of older people could not access their medications. This is further concerning given that 65% of older people surveyed have at least one health condition. Access to medications for chronic diseases is an ongoing challenge in North West Syria, which was exacerbated by the Covid 19 context.
Over the past week, local authorities in NEShave established its own PCR testing capacity. While undisclosed number of samples have been collected by local health authorities for testing, as of 24 April a total of 18 PCR tests have been administered. These tests were administered to people already in isolation in Qamishli with suspected symptoms. All tests came back negative.
WHO continues to support the CPHL in Damascus to enhance diagnosis and prioritize increased testing capacity. To date, two air conditioners and two refrigerators have been procured; two air conditioners and four refrigerators have been fixed; and the laboratory generator has been repaired. Further rehabilitation of the CPHL to improve conditions of the designated laboratory for COVID 19 continues.
Moreover, to respond to the COVID 19 situation, the UNHCR cross border operation has been putting in place mitigation measures and has increased, prioritized and expedited transshipments and distributions of hygiene kits.
48% of older people reported that they cannot afford to purchase COVID 19 preventive materials such as masks and soap. This was slightly higher for older people living in Idlib  ( 51% )  and living out of camps  ( 51% ) . Furthermore, 10% of older people surveyed said these protective materials were unavailable in local markets, especially those who live outside of camps  ( 14% ) .
In terms of community transmission in NES, efforts are underway to establish a surveillance database to track suspected and confirmed cases, case contacts, and generate a line list for outbreak investigation. This will help to inform active surveillance, including contact tracing.
In the north west  ( as of 25 April ) , out of 12 cross border/cross line entry points, nine points of entry  ( PoE )  are partially open, of which five  ( Alhamam, Ar ra'ee, Bab Al Salameh, Ghazawiyet Afrin, Deir Ballut )  are anticipating significant movement and have measures in place to screen travelers, suspect and refer cases.
36% of older people have difficulty accessing medicine; this is higher for women  ( 42% )  than older men  ( 30% )  and even more so for persons with a disability  ( 46% ) . Among people over 80 years old, 54% reported having difficulty in accessing medicines. People living in camps have more difficulties accessing medicine  ( 46% )  than people living outside camps  ( 32% ) .
WHO continues to support the CPHL in Damascus. To date, two air conditioners and two refrigerators were procured; two air conditioners and four refrigerators were additionally fixed; and the laboratory generator was repaired.
34% of older people have difficulty accessing health services. Access to health services is more critical in camps, where 53% of older people have difficulty in accessing services, and in Aleppo governorate, where 44% report difficulty in accessing health services.
WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February. During the reporting period, WHO delivered 17 enzyme kits  ( 1,700 reactions ) , 22 extraction kits  ( 1,500 reactions ) , 20 screening kits  ( 1,920 reactions )  and four confirmatory testing kits  ( 384 reactions, in addition to PPE for laboratory staff.
27% of older people have difficulty accessing drinking water, especially in camps  ( 37% ) . The situation is more concerning for people over 80 years old where 40% of them reported difficulty in accessing drinking water.
The increased capacity and decentralization of testing, including the need for a laboratory in NES, continues to be a priority for the UN to support implementation. As of 21 April, the CPHL has tested approximately 1,500 cases for COVID 19, with a current average of 60 90 tests per day. Support is ongoing to scale up this capacity and increase geographical coverage.
Through funds received by the OCHA COVID 19 reserve SHF allocation, WFP, as lead agency of the Logistics Cluster, is now providing access to an UNHAS service, including air cargo transport, from Damascus to Qamishli.
New reinforcement messages were shared in the field targeting authorities and highlighting the seriousness of the outbreak. The community health workers  ( CHW )  circulated the new messages to focal points in the community such as local councils in order to suspend the social gatherings, which resulted in the suspension of the local bazaar last weekend following the announcement of first confirmed COVID 19 case
When older people were asked what they feel are the increased risks for older women during this time, the top two risks were neglect  ( 62% )  and isolation  ( 54% ) . Older women rated neglect as a higher increased risk  ( 66% )  for older women compared to how older men rated it  ( 57% ) . The risk of isolation is considerably higher in Idlib  ( 66% ) , where there are more IDPs, than in Aleppo  ( 35% ) . The same risks were reported for older men  ( 55% for neglect and 52% for isolation ) .
In the north west  ( as of 25 April ) , The Idleb laboratory operated by a health partner and also supported by WHO has remained instrumental in testing samples from suspected cases of COVID 19. As of 29 April 2020, so far 226 samples have been tested for COVID 19 using PCR. All results came negative.
In the targeted locations of the North West of Syria, 14% of older people reported that they had reduced quantity of food since the COVID 19 outbreak. This can also be linked to the recent increase in prices which is impacting the purchasing power of the population
A youth led initiative titled ‘Safe Distance' was implemented in Masyaf, Hamah. Young people, in collaboration with locals, produced media tools and messages to raise awareness on social distancing in a variety of places such as bakeries, grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. The initiative aimed to encourage people to practice social distancing as a crucial preventive measure to avoid COVID 19 infection. The initiative took place over 10 days, targeting approximately 1,200 individuals in total.
The planned COVID 19 Community Treatment Centres  ( CCTCs )  are still delayed due to local councils' agreement, donor agreements and the difficulty to recruit needed human resources.
In addition, many older people have limited supplies in the house. 53% of older people surveyed had food available in the house that could last for less than 2 days while 29% had 6 food available for two days to one week and only 12% of older people surveyed had food for more than a week. The lack of food available in the house is particularly noticeable for people living in Idlib, where 62% of older people have food for less than 2 days.
As per restrictions related to COVID 19, global procurement shortages and shipment, some key laboratory supplies were delayed as well leishmaniasis supplies and medicines.
As preventive measures have been lifted across Syria   increasing community engagement opportunities   the RCCE is working closely with partners to also ensure any interventions are planned and executed with appropriate safety precautions for staff, volunteers and community members.
3 short videos were produced by young people and posted on a social media platform  ( Facebook )  in order to raise awareness on COVID 19 preventive measures and on activities that young people can participate in and invest their time on during self quarantine.
The main challenges for older people with WASH facilities are the lack of facilities  ( 20% ) , in particularly in Idlib  ( 25% )  and in the camps  ( 42% ) . Also, 17% of older people surveyed stated that lack of privacy was a challenge for them particularly in Idlib  ( 22% )  and in camps  ( 32% ) . Some older people, from both Idlib and Aleppo, noted that drinking water is costly, and not easy to secure since it comes from trucks.
Since 9 July, five patients have recovered while other cases remain active. Contact tracing is ongoing for all positive cases and health partners are focusing on interrupting virus transmissions and reducing secondary infections
GBV, RH and healthy lifestyle awareness raising activities were provided through social media platforms by UNFPA IPs. The sessions covered topics related to COVID 19 prevention measures and GBV with a focus on the young people's role in raising awareness on COVID 19 amongst their peer groups. Additionally, awareness raising session were conducted in the Youth Friendly Spaces  ( YFS ) 7 , and through outreach teams, targeting young people while adhering to all precautionary and social distancing measures. 8,000 people were reached by awareness raising messages through social media channels/platforms.
In addition to support detailed in previous reports, WHO in collaboration with health partners and the Ministry of Education  ( MoE )  supported a series of 20 national workshops from 2 June for 500 health and medical school staff on protective and precautionary measures. In addition, in the reporting period, WHO supported MoH with a tobacco control programme in the context of COVID19 awareness campaign, including distribution of IEC and a 4 June workshop for 25 health educators. WHO also continues to provide technical support for the MoH COVID 19 Dynamic Infographic Dashboard for Syria, in Arabic and English.
79,142 mothers and caregivers received information and prevention measures related to COVID 19; 48,888 mothers and caregivers counselled on breastfeeding in context of COVID 19
20,969 beneficiaries received masks, IEC materials related to COVID 19  ( posters, WhatsApp videos, etc. ) ; 723 staff of members trained on COVID 19 IPC measures
UNFPA also continues to conduct awareness raising in its reproductive health clinics and mobile teams in 13 governorates. UNHCR report that 40 community led initiatives were approved last month, which will reach more than 46,000 people in eight governorates, with 87 per cent of the initiative directly addressing and responding to COVID 19, including in awareness raising.
65,000 water, sanitation and hygiene kits were procured for COVID 19 response. Each kit consists of: soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, wet wipes, and hand sanitizing gel.