nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
The UN supported the construction of a 600m flood retention wall in Police District in Kandahar city which protect 300 households from floods. A UN agency provided warm clothes to 300 vulnerable children in Tirinkot district, Uruzgan province.
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF )  and a non state armed group  ( NSAG )  continued in Hilmand, Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces. In Kandahar province, fighting was reported in Arghandab, Panjwayi and some parts of Maywand and Dand districts. According to government officials, 800 families  ( approximately 5,600 people )  were displaced by fighting in Arghandab district in the past month. The Operational Coordination Team in Kandahar is working with local authorities to assess the needs of the internally displaced persons  ( IDPs ) .
Armed clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Balkh, Faryab, Sar e Pul, Jawzjan and Samangan provinces.On 30 January, seven cases of measles among children were reported in Faryab and Jawzjan provinces. A measles outbreak was expected in the north as routine immunisation has been interrupted in Faryab, Jawzjan and Sar e Pul provinces
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in the north east mainly in Shenwar and Kharuty areas of Kunduz city, Kunduz province, Nahr e Khushk, Dahna e Ghory and Dand e Shahabuddin areas of Pul e Khumri district of Baghlan province and Baharak district of Takhar province.
104,470 Number of people affected by natural disasters as of 31 January 2021.
3,430 People displaced by conflict as of 31 January 2021.
104,470 Number of people affected by natural disasters as of 3 January 2021.
344,750 People displaced by conflict as of 3 January 2021.
Interagency assessment teams identified 1,743 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Balkh, Faryab, Jawjan and Sar e Pul provinces. A total of 3,332 people affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Faryab, Sar e Pul and Jawzjan provinces.
The security situation in the Centre remained unstable mainly in Logar, Kabul, Maidan Wardak, Khost and Paktya provinces with continued reports of IED attacks.
This week  [ 28 December 2020  3 January 2021 ] , 6 mobile health teams provided nutrition support to people affected by conflict and natural disasters in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Among 7,074 children under five screened, 242 children suffered from severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  and 772 children suffered from moderate acute malnutrition  ( MAM ) . The severe cases were admitted to the therapeutic feeding centres for treatment.
Some 7,340 returnees, IDPs and people from host communities were reached with emergency outpatient health services and 7,966 children were vaccinated to protect them against polio and measles by Interagency assessment team.
Another seven interferences related to requests for better or additional equipment, with NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  mainly targeting health partners with these demands.
Interagency assessment teams identified 4,277 people to receive immediate humanitarian assistance. A total of 22,499 people received humanitarian assistance   among them are 609 newly displaced people, 1,022 people in protracted displacement, 400 farmers in need of food security/livelihood support and 20,468, people who received unconditional seasonal support/food rations in response to COVID 19.
Clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued and the number of security incidents affecting civilians increased compared to the previous week.
Humanitarian assistance including cash for food and winter support reached 13,286 people affected by conflict in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces. Assessment teams identified 532 people displaced by conflict in Baghlan and Kunduz provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  intensified in the north east mainly in Eshkashem, Raghestan and Yaftal eSufla districts, Badakhshan province. On 25 December 2020, two civilians were reportedly injured in Raghestan district and Yaftal e Sufla district in Badakhshan province due to ongoing fighting.
In Uruzgan province, the security situation deteriorated in Gizab district with ongoing clashes between an non state armed group  ( NSAG )  and Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF ) . In Dehrawud district, one child was reportedly killed and another injured by an IED detonation.
Also, interagency assessment teams in Tirinkot and Gizab districts, Uruzgan province identified 6,990 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.
During the reporting period, interagency assessment teams recommended 1,908 people displaced by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in Hilmand and Kandahar provinces.
In conversation with partners, NSAG TB often referred to a security fee rather than asking for taxation or levies. The claim that they were ensuring security for humanitarian partners during their responses often went hand in hand with an indirect threat that nonpayment would result in safety issues for partners.
Levy requests were reported across the country, with the Southern and Western regions logging most requests  ( 10 and 11 respectively ) .
In Q4, the HAG recorded six interference attempts with staff recruitment, compared to 13 such incidents logged in Q3. NSAG TB interfered with recruitment in five instances, with GOA authoring one incident, a decrease compared to the six recruitment interferences in Q3.
Raise awareness about the increased risks of VAWG and services available at the national, sub national and local level through media, partners, local leaders and community volunteers
Slow bureaucratic processes within GOA GoA  ( Government of Afghanistan )  departments causing delays in project implementation were worrying, especially for emergency response activities. Partners also raised the issue of some provincial GOA departments requesting for confidential documents that were either already shared at a national level or should not be shared at all, including beneficiary data.
In Q4, the HAG recorded 11 instances of interference with the beneficiary selection of partner organizations, compared to 12 such incidents in Q3Most of these interferences were initiated by NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  and community members with the objective to shift assistance to different locations and/or add additional beneficiaries to the lists.
The HAG also reported at least five instances, where NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  opposed the presence of female staff members as well as at least three cases of opposition to the collection of beneficiary data.
In at least nine instances, NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  requested partners to register with them, often asking for sensitive documents, including budget details or donor contracts. These registration requests continued to put partners in a difficult situation and while engagement with NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  is recommended, the HAG advises against the sharing of sensitive documents such as budgets as these are likely to lead to levy requests
Interagency assessment teams identified 1,428 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Balkh, Faryab, Samangan, Jawzjan and Sar e Pul provinces.
A total of 3,227 vulnerable people including IDPs received winter support in Balkh and Faryab provinces.
This week  [ 25 – 31 January 2021 ] , 1,379 people displaced by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Paktya province. Interagency assessment teams identified 700 IDPs to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Logar province.
According to initial report, 7,000 people were newly displaced from insecure districts of Zadran, Jaji, Sayed Karam and Zurmat to Gardez city in Paktya province
The security situation remained unstable with continued reports of IED attacks, illegal checkpoints and military operations in Badghis, Hirat, Farah and Ghor provinces.
This week  [ 25 – 31 January 2021 ] , 12 mobile health teams provided nutrition support to people affected by conflict and natural disasters in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Among 4,857 children under five screened, 151 children suffered from severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  and 503 children suffered from moderate acute malnutrition  ( MAM ) . The severe cases were admitted to the therapeutic feeding centres for treatment.
As a result of the COVID 19 lockdown, 43 per cent of women in Afghanistan report that their partners help them more with household chores and caring for the family. However, almost 83 per cent of males reported an increase in such help from their partner ( s ) . Men are also more likely to receive help from other family members.
Among host communities, more men than women noted an increase in the amount of time spent teaching their children since the outbreak of COVID 19.
In the case of IDPs, returnees and members of host communities, more women than men are noting drops in the amount of food produced for household consumption, as well as in income from paid jobs.
Among informal workers, a similar pattern exists, with more than half working reduced hours and an estimated 18 per cent of men losing their jobs.
Survey results show that women in formal employment, in particular, are more likely to see their working hours reduced  ( 48 per cent ) , whereas the largest share of men noting decreases in hours are informal workers.
85% of the female returnees and 53% of the male returnees stated that radio/television/News were the sources of COVID 19 information. Also 83% of the female returnees along with 76% male returnees stated that the main sources of COVID 19 information Radio/television/News
Since the outbreak of COVID 19, less than half of the population have had the option of seeing a doctor when necessary.
43% of the female respondents and 42% of the male respondents stated that radio/television/News were the sources of COVID 19 information while 26% of the female respondents along with 12% male respondent stated that the main sources of COVID 19 information was community.
Women IDPs reported the highest rates  ( 96% )  of mounting stress and anxiety since the crisis began. Substantial gender gaps in terms of mental and emotional health also exist among returnees.
Interagency assessment teams identified 4,368 people to receive immediate humanitarian assistance. A total of 31,213 people received humanitarian assistance   among them are 637 newly displaced people, 1,085 people affected by natural disasters, 4,312 vulnerable people in host communities and 25,179 people who received seasonal support and food aid in response to the COVID 19 pandemic
The number of bureaucratic impediments  ( 7 )  were again on the level of Q1 and Q2, after Q3 saw a coordinated effort by humanitarian coordination bodies to measure the extent of bureaucratic impediments in Afghanistan. The decrease in interferences with staff recruitment is more difficult to explain, with Q4 logging the lowest quarterly number in 2020.
Reducing wasting to acceptable levels in Afghanistan is within reach. However, stronger commitments from the government and donors are key to complement ongoing efforts and make this possible.
5% of respondents from Iran and 46% from Pakistan stated that they intend to go back to the Country of Prior Residence  ( CoPR ) : for employment, to join family or to collect property. Close to 4% of the respondents from Iran stated that they intend to go back to Iran to move on to a third country.
Only 115,518 of people receiving emergency shelter assistance, including through cash for rent support out of 2,968,053 , targeted population was 3,083,571 where 96.25% gap remained for response.
Clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in the east mainly in Khogyani, Sherzad, Hesarak districts of Nangarhar province. On 28 January, a civilian was reportedly killed and another wounded by an IED detonation in the Joi 26 area in Shinwar district, Nangarhar province.
Assessment teams identified 1,032 people displaced by conflict in Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.
Humanitarian assistance reached approximately 30,653 people affected by conflict in Badakhshan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces.
The security situation remained volatile with the most security incidents occurring in Faryab and Balkh provinces. In Samangan province, 22 health facilities have remained closed since 4 November 2021 which is hindering the provision of health and nutrition services in the province.
In Q4, the HAG  ( Humanitarian Access Group )  recorded 86 interferences in the implementation of humanitarian activities, compared to 113 incidents recorded in Q3. While interferences with beneficiary selection and programming remained on par with numbers recorded in Q3, the number of bureaucratic impediments as well as interferences with recruitment decreased significantly
The main road connecting Lashkargah to Grehk remained closed to all movements. Also, the threat of IEDs along main roads hindered civilian movement across Hilmand province. During the reporting period, two civilians were reportedly killed and 15 others wounded when their bus was hit by an IED on highway 1 connecting Hilmand to Kandahar provinces
In Hilmand province, fighting between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Nahr eSaraj and Nawa e Barakzaiy districts. Targeted killings continued to be reported in Lashkargah city.
In Kandahar, fighting continued mainly in Arghandab, Zheray and Panjwayi districts. Ongoing fighting displaced hundreds of people in Kandahar province, but the exact number of internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  is yet to be confirmed.
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF )  and a non state armed group  ( NSAG )  continued in Hilmand, Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces.
Accommodation arrangement after return: Upon return, Half of the interviewed returnees  ( 50% )  stated that they will live on relatives house and 27.8% of the interviewed returnees stated that they will live on rental house.
Upon return, the majority of the interviewed returnees ( 38.1% )  planned to spend the cash grant on paying transportation cost and  ( 32.5% )  planned to buy food and other commodities. Only 0.3% of the interviewed returnees planned to buy livestock through the cash grant.
The main reasons for return to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran stated by interviewed returnees were UNHCR assistance package ( 30.5% and 32% )  and Reunion with family/relatives in Afghanistan ( 29.9% and 24% )  in 2020.
The main reasons for leaving Pakistan and Iran stated by interviewed returnees were high cost of living ( 37.3% and 32.8% )  and lack of employment opportunities ( 37.0% and 24.9% )  in 2020.
Majority of the interviewed male returnees  ( 67.5% )  stated that they received information about COVID 19 while they are in Encashment Centers  ( ECs ) .Similarly, Majority of the interviewed female returnees  ( 66.8% )  stated that they received information about COVID 19 in Encashment Centers  ( ECs )
Majority of the interviewed male returnees  ( 66.7% )  stated that they received information about COVID 19 while they are in country of asylum  ( CoA ) .Similarly, Majority of the interviewed female returnees  ( 67.4% )  stated that they received information about COVID 19 while they are in country of asylum  ( CoA ) .
Source of information on place of origin and Voluntary Repatriation Program : Majority of the interviewed returnees  ( 70% )  stated that they received information from the Afghan communities in the country of asylum  ( CoA )  at place of origin while only 0.9% interviewed returnees stated that they received information from newspaper at place of origin.
Awareness about the situation in the country: 92.1% male respondent were aware about the situation in country of origin where as 78.4% female respondent were aware about the situation in country of origin.
Awareness about cash grant : 80.7% male were aware about cash grant where as 70.5% female were aware about cash grant.
In addition, 3,857 people including vulnerable families from host communities, IDPs in protracted displacement and returnees from Iran received cash for health care and 337 people received basic health assistance in Maymana city, Faryab province. Furthermore, 1,519 people displaced from Khwaja Sabz Posh, Qaysar, Kohistan, Shirin Tagab, Almar, Andkhoy and Bilcheragh districts of Faryab to Maymana city in the past 6 months received cash for protection.
Interagency assessment teams identified 2,002 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Balkh, Faryab, Jawjan and Sar e Pul provinces. A total of 2,275 people affected by conflict including returnees and deportees received humanitarian assistance in Faryab province.
Armed clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Balkh, Faryab, Sar e Pul, Jawzjan and Samangan provinces, with the number of security incidents affecting civilians increasing compared to the previous week.
Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP requirements and funding  1.28B Requirements  ( US$ )  – HRP 2021 and 39.4M  ( 3% )  funded  ( US$ )  in 2021.
After a rapid price surge from March to May, most food prices stabilized around July, although they have not dropped back to pre COVID 19 levels.
WFP disbursed US$760,610 and distributed 1,429 mt of food to 148,064 participants of ongoing asset creation activities, benefitting more than 1 million food insecure family members.
As part of its nutrition programme, WFP distributed 688 mt of specialized nutritious foods for 159,752 children aged 6 59 months and 62,706 pregnant and lactating women.
As part of general food distributions, WFP distributed 87 mt of specialized nutritious foods to prevent the malnutrition of 18,847 children aged 6 59 months and 4,178 pregnant and lactating women.
A total of 29,141 people received humanitarian assistance including: 1,862 new IDPs; 11,072 vulnerable people from the host community and 16,208 people who receive unconditional seasonal food rations.
In 2020, NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  not only significantly expanded their range of operations, including fortification of their influence along major supply roads, but also attempted to establish centralized structures to control operations of humanitarians, manifesting in repeated requests to humanitarian partners for registration and sharing of information.
The security situation remains volatile. Avalanches in Badakhshan province reportedly killed 14 people and injured four others. Three civilians were wounded in Takhar province at an illegal checkpoint. Traveling to hard to reach areas remained a challenge for humanitarian and health care workers. Humanitarian assistance reached 682 families displaced by conflict,  ( 4,774 people )  and winterization assistance reached 872 vulnerable families  ( about 6,104 people ) .
A total of 266 IDPs received humanitarian assistances in Kabul and Kapisa provinces, while needs assessments are ongoing for a reported 3,430 IDPs in Kapisa and Bamyan provinces. Furthermore, 6,426 people received winter assistance in Kabul, Ghazni and Daykundi provinces.
The security situation remained volatile with security incidents reported in Kabul, Logar, Maydan Wardak, Kapisa, Khost, Ghazni and Paktika provinces. Main highways linking Kabul to Jalalabad, Logar and Ghazni remained insecure. Five civilians were reportedly killed and ten injured in Kabul and Ghazni provinces.
This week  [ 1 7 March ] , 11 Mobile Health Teams provided nutrition aid to people displaced by conflict and natural hazards in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Of the 1,789 children screened, 33 suffered from SAM and 90 suffered from MAM. A total of 602 pregnant and lactating women received counseling services. A UN agency provided 257 hygiene kits to recent IDPs from Sherzad, Hesarak and Khogyani districts.
An NGO distributed cash aid for shelter to 120 vulnerable displaced families  ( 840 people ) . The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority provided 1,017 IDP families  ( 7,119 people )  with relief items and cash aid in Arghandab, Zharey and Panjwayi districts, Kandahar province. Provincial authorities in Zabul started cash based assistance for 450 families  ( 3,150 people )  in protracted displacement in Qalat district.
The overall security situation in the east especially Jalalabad City remained volatile. Ongoing ANSF military clearing operations and airstrikes continued with reports of newly displaced people continuing to arrive in safer places in Khogyani, Surkhrod, Behsud districts and Jalalabad City. As of 4 March, local authorities in Nangarhar reported a cumulative 10,837 families  ( 75,859 people )  as displaced. To date, about 36,000 people have been assessed by interagency teams   about 13,000 have been recommended to receive immediate humanitarian assistance.
In Kandahar province, military operations continued in Panjwayi and Zheray district and Arghandab district. Airstrikes and clearing of improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs were reported in Deh Lahore, Nagahan and Samy Qalacha area in Arghandab. According to health partners, IEDs and artillery fire have been hindering access to health services in contested district. On 1 March, an IED reportedly detonated next to a health centre in Panjwayi which resulted in damages the building. A rocket reported landed in another health centre in the same district causing damage to the doors and windows. On 1 March, an ambulance reported came under gunfire while travelling from Hadira to Kondalan in Arghandab distric
Close to 95% of the interviewed returnees/deportees from Iran and 34% from Pakistan stated that they will try to find a job in their province of origin.
In addition, the Protection team conducts regular COVID 19 protection monitoring surveys in collaboration with the Afghanistan Protection Cluster. This week, 134 households were surveyed, all of whom received specific WHO information and RCCE (  Risk Communication and Community Engagement )  messaging on COVID19 awareness and prevention relevant to their location.
In 2020, 549,418 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response.
Animal Feed  ( Concentrate ) : The average price increased by 0.1% compared to the fourth week of January 2021. The increase only occurred in Badakhshan  ( 3% ) , high demand due to winter. Prices where highest in Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Panjsher and Wardak  ( AFN 3,667, 3,600, 3,567 and 3,417 per 100 kg bag, respectively ) . Prices were lowest in Kunduz, Kandahar, Baghlan and Faryab  ( AFN 1,800, 1,800, 1,800 and 2,000 per 100 kg bag, respectively ) .
Tomato: The average price decreased by 3.2% compared to fourth week of January. The decrease sharply occurred in Nangarhar  ( 33% ) , Takhar  ( 20% ) , Laghman  ( 17% ) , Badakhshan  ( 14% ) , Kunar, Baghlan and Jawzjan  ( 11% )  and Nimroz  ( 10% ) , due to improved availability in the market compared the last week. Meanwhile prices increased in Kandahar  ( 4% )  and Urozgan  ( 2% ) , due to reduced seasonal supply and mostly from import source availability during the cold seasons.
Rice  ( Low Quality ) : The average price slightly decreased by 0.1% compared to the fourth week of January and remained 19% higher than 14 March. Zabul  ( 4% )  and Takhar  ( 3% )  reported decreased priced due to improved supply meanwhile price increased in Urozgan due to shifted demand stemmed from rise in the price of high quality rice. Prices were highest in Bamyan, Wardak, Badghis and Daykundi  ( AFN 80, 72, 70, 70 Per kg, respectively ) . Prices were lowest in Kunar, Kandahar, Panjsher and Hirat  ( AFN 35, 36, 38 and 38 per kg, respectively ) .
Following a pattern observed throughout the year and in line with ANSF taking a defensive approach, in Q4, NSAG TB initiated the predominant number of kinetic incidents affecting humanitarians  ( 90 ) , with five incidents resulting from ANSF  ( Afghan National Security Force )  activity.
Shelter and NFI beneficiaries of February month is 137,041.
Only 128,250 people receiving winterization standard package for insulation out of 6,610,959 targeted population was 6,739,209 where 98.10% gap remained for response.
IDPs  ( protracted & displaced in 2020 )    177,695
Vulnerable people with humanitarian needs   82,230
Shelter and NFI beneficiaries of January month is 129,656.
Conflict affected non displaced beneficiaries  4,890
9,900 People displaced by conflict as of 14 February in 2021.
Armed clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Balkh, Faryab, Sar e Pul, Jawzjan and Samangan provinces. Interagency assessment teams identified 2,625 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Faryab and Jawzjan provinces. A total of 1,904 people affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Balkh, Samangan, Sar e Pul Jawzjan and Faryab provinces.
Some 11,605 returnees, IDPs, and people from host communities were reached with emergency outpatient health services; and 14,069 children were vaccinated to protect them against polio and measles. This week, 16 mobile health teams provided nutrition support to people affected by conflict and natural disasters in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Among 4,633 children under five screened, 113 children suffered from severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  and 355 children suffered from moderate acute malnutrition  ( MAM ) . The severe cases were admitted to the therapeutic feeding centres for treatment
Humanitarian assistance reached approximately 2,212 people affected by conflict in Kunduz province. Also, approximately 25,109 vulnerable people were reached with winter assistance in Baghlan, Badakhshan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces.
Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF )  and a non state armed group  ( NSAG )  continued in Hilmand, Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces. In Kandahar province, fighting was reported in the Arghandab district, Charkhab, Zalakhan and Shekh Qalandar areas in Panjwayi district and the Pashmol and Ashoghi areas in Zheray districts. Ongoing fighting and the presence of improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  affected farmers' access to their land, adversely affecting the livelihoods of people in agricultural areas.
Forecast on Temperature: The North American Multi Model Ensemble  ( NMME )  forecast for March May with February initial conditions indicates high probability of above average temperatures across the country . The above average temperatures have already led to below normal snowpack development due to rapid snowmelt in most basins across the country. The first crop cultivation, especially in the south and southwestern parts of the country, may be vulnerable to temperature and moisture stresses. Further, rainfed crop production and rangeland vegetation conditions are likely to be affected by the below average precipitation and above average temperatures in the coming months.
81% stated that they will stay in their own house, close to 11% stated that they will rent a house, and 7% will stay with relatives.
Close to 1%  ( 129 respondents )  of the interviewed deportees  ( 15,718 )  stated that they went through a legal procedure and were deported after receiving a court order, while 99% of the interviewed deportees stated that they were deported in the absence of a court order.
Since 01 January, UNHCR assisted the return of 2,045 Afghan refugees from Pakistan  ( 1,055 ) , Iran  ( 890 )  and other countries  ( 100 )  including Tajikistan, India, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation, under its facilitated voluntary repatriation programme. After a temporary suspension of voluntary repatriation between 04 March and 29 April due to COVID 19, UNHCR resumed its facilitated voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran as of 30 April and from Pakistan and other countries as of 10 August.
Key informants estimate that, since 2012, an astounding 323,581 Afghans moved abroad from Faryab, likely due to years of ongoing conflict and resultant underdevelopment, loss of livelihoods and ensuing poverty
2020 appears to be on track to reach 1 million IDPs, with over 451,000 IDPs recorded by mid year.
In addition to many temporary ad hoc checkpoints, NSAG TB also established permanent checkpoints to tax commercial vehicles as well as to search for GoA and ANSF personnel. One of these permanent checkpoints was located in Bala Buluk District along the Hirat Farah Road and while humanitarian partners were not the main target, the HAG in December recorded two incidents of an IO convoy stopped at gunpoint at this checkpoint
The number of incidents relating to movement restrictions remained relatively stable over the year. In Q4, the HAG recorded 52 movement restrictions, of which 43 related to humanitarian movement being impeded through the presence of checkpoints, with all except one established by NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban ) .
During the last month of Q4, the overall conflict dynamic saw a gradual decrease, which can be predominately attributed to the weather conditions. It is expected that in the absence of an agreement on reduction of violence coming out of Doha, kinetic activity will remain high in Q1 and Q 2021. Limited ANSF capacity as well as the withdrawal of US Forces even raise concerns that the level of hostility might surpass 2020 levels. While it is not expected that humanitarians will become a target in 2021, the continuing high level of conflict activity makes it extremely challenging for humanitarian organizations to operate in a safe and secure manner.
In Q4, in at least 16 instances, humanitarian workers were unable to proceed with their operations due to presence of IEDs along main supply routes as well as in their areas of operation. This resulted in at least seven temporary suspensions and two relocations of project activities. Seven of these incidents occurred in the Southern Region, with NSAG TB planting IEDs along the roads to obstruct ANSF movement.
Out of the 95 security incidents recorded in Q4, 58 incidents were related to ongoing fighting in areas with humanitarian operations. While humanitarians were not a direct target of conflict parties, 90 per cent of these incidents resulted in the temporary suspension or halt in programming activity, with humanitarians unable to continue programming in a safe and secure manner during ongoing fighting. The predominant number of these incidents was concentrated around Kandahar  ( 23 incidents )  and Hilmand  ( 10 incidents )  provinces, with the Southern Region seeing a number of NSAG TB offensives in Q3 and Q4.
The expansion of NSAG TB in 2020 significantly affected humanitarian operations in multiple areas around the country. As a result of intensifying armed confrontations, multiple organizations were forced to significantly limit their presence in the field, especially in contested areas.
NSAG TB started expanding towards the mains roads to disrupt the main supply chains, thereby limiting ANSF  ( Afghan National Security Force )  capacity to support their personnel in remote areas.
Engagement with NSAG TB at a national level is slow and replies can take several weeks. While some partners have become skilled in operating in a void, using the absence of a definitive reply to continue their implementation, others require more certainty for their operations, with slow replies or lack of clarity from the NSAG TB Commissioner resulting in sometimes month long suspensions of activities with devastating impacts for beneficiaries
While it is not uncommon for implementing partners of IO agencies to be approached for taxation, with seven such incidents on record for Q4, HAG logged the first incident of an IO directly approached for taxation in December 2020. When the IO operating in a Southern Province rejected the levy payment, the NSAG TB NGO Commissioner ordered the suspension of their activities, with negotiations continuing in January 2021.
The real number of indirect levy requests is likely significantly higher, with NSAG TB having systematized taxation of commercial transport companies, including those contracted by humanitarian partners, along the major highways in the country
There is a continued perception of NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  that health services in their areas of control are not sufficient to meet the needs of beneficiaries.
Most of the water points in Afghanistan get clear water  ( 78 per cent of the country's water has a nephelometric turbidity unit  ( NTU )  of less than 53 – considered “clear' as per global quality scales ) . Chlorine tablets, clarification sachets or family filters can be used to treat turbid water. Awareness of the importance of using these water treatsment must be emphasised when water levels are low and water quality is reduced.
The Cluster has 23 partners operating in the 25 provinces anticipated to be most affected by the dry spell. The Cluster is confident it can further scale up its presence if required, with 13 additional partners indicating their capacity and willingness to operate in the most needy areas, provided funds are made available.
Insecurity and access constraints continue to affect protection partners' ability to provide services in some hard to reach areas, where protection needs are more pronounced.
Using funds carried over from 2020, the Cluster has enough in country stocks of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food  ( RUTF )  to treat 47,000 children with severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM ) .Similarly, the Cluster presently has enough Ready to Use Supplementary Food  ( RUSF )  stocks in country to support close to 47,000 women and children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition  ( MAM ) .
The ES NFI Cluster's in country stockpile is presently able to cover 129,000 people with emergency shelter, 634,500 people with emergency NFIs and 106,000 people with shelter self construction/ repair toolkits. However, given the likely scale of needs, it is critical that the pipeline is constantly replenished and that funding is provided in enough time to allow for procurement.
The Cluster has a stockpile of supplies in 45 locations across 27 provinces. With current stocks in hand and in the pipeline, the Cluster can reach 600,000 people for one month with chlorine tablets to enhance access to clean water and reach 80,000 people with PUR water purification sachets
Complex case management activities are also at risk of being discontinued.
COVID 19 precautionary measures have not only limited group activities and partners' ability to reach large numbers of people at once but have also created limitations in accessing services.
There will be an increased risk of evictions if the economic situation tightens.
42% returned to Afghanistan to reunite with family members, 19% due to lack of employment opportunities and 11% due to denial of access to health services.
Child Protection and Mine Action confirmed that they have technical resources available to scale up on short notice, if resources are urgently provided. Similarly, GBV partners are present in most of the ‘at risk' provinces although bureaucratic impediments continue to challenge their operations in NSAGcontrolled areas. HLP partners have the capacity to respond in the 14 provinces identified as high and medium priority.
76%of the respondents went to Iran from Afghanistan in search of livelihoods opportunities, 15% due to conflict, 4% to visit family/relatives, 2%  ( mainly deportees )  to move to Turkey and onward to Europe, 1% for medical treatment, 1% due to drought, and 1% for other reasons
In line with UNHCR's protection monitoring objectives, and in the context of increased incidence of COVID 19 across the territory of Afghanistan, UNHCR made the decision to expand its protection and return monitoring activities to the official entry points with Iran  ( Islam Qala and Zaranj/Milak crossing points )  and with Pakistan  ( Spin Boldak/Chaman and Torkham )  by establishing the border monitoring activities mostly focusing on inflows.
Since 01 January, UNHCR assisted the return of 2,147 Afghan refugees from Pakistan  ( 1,092 ) , Iran  ( 939 )  and other countries  ( 116 )  including Tajikistan, India, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and the Russian Federation, under its facilitated voluntary repatriation programme. The figure of refugee returnees in 2020 was 73% lower than 2019 when 8,079 refugees returned and 86% lower than 2018 when 15,699 refugees returned.
The 2020 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan remains significantly underfunded at just 48% of requirements, leaving a gap of $585m, with only a month of the year remaining.
With screening staff operating at the Herat and Nimroz border crossing points and case workers in 11 provinces of return, the Protection team caseload this week included case management assessments for 60 new PSN households in Nimroz, Ghor, Balkh, Kunduz, Herat, Badakhshan, Takhar, Badakhshan and Sar e Pol. These cases included 8 children at risk, 5 people with serious medical conditions, 4 women at risk, 3 persons with disabilities, and 3 older persons at risk. Across all provinces, 2,062 cases are ongoing. 130 PSN individuals  ( and their households )  were identified at the Milak and Islam Qala border points by Protection screeners in coordination with DoRR.
In addition, the Protection team conducted regular COVID 19 protection monitoring surveys in collaboration with the Afghanistan Protection Cluster. This week, 125 households were surveyed, all of whom received specific WHO information and RCCE messaging on COVID 19 awareness and prevention relevant to their location.
During the past week a total of 11,166 patients were served by IOM's 7 mobile health teams, inclusive of 3,945 outpatient consultations, health education sessions for 11,166 persons and psychosocial counselling sessions for 1,016 patients.
IOM support is primarily focused across 4 of WHO's Global Response Pillars include 1. Coordination; 2. Risk Communication and Community Engagement; 3. Surveillance/DTM; and 4. Points of Entry. Activities include training for frontline health workers, deployment of staffing to areas of need including placement in health facilities, secondment of staff to cross border surveillance, material support of PPE and other equipment, ambulance based referral services, distribution of MOPH WHO IEC materials and community level awareness raising and sensitization efforts through health education sessions including within Displacement Tracking Matrix focus group discussions in over 12,600 settlements across 34 provinces.
After increasing from October to December 2020, the number of daily new COVID 19 cases in Afghanistan has been generally declining in January 2021, although underreporting of cases remains a concern. According to the Ministry of Public Health, 234,453 individuals have been tested for COVID 19 as of January 21, 2021, while 54,672  ( 23 percent )  have tested positive, suggesting limited testing capacity.
The Afghanistan government and its borders are all open, facilitating normal trade of food items. Overall, while significant additional negative impacts on food security are not expected in the coming months, prolonged impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic are still visible in Afghanistan. In particular, below average numbers of migrant workers in Iran are expected to be contributing to below average remittances for both rural and urban households.
As implementation of the COVID 19 relief program progresses, households receiving humanitarian assistance are likely to improve to Stressed!  ( IPC Phase 2! )  until they exhaust the assistance. According to available information as of January 29, a total 3,020 urban households  ( around 21,000 people, representing less than 1 percent of the population )  across 13 provincial capitals have so received this assistance.
Without early funds, the Cluster is warning of imminent pipeline breaks, complicated by longer procurement and transport lead times fueled by COVID related import delays and lengthy customs and border clearance processes.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, food prices in main markets in December 2020 remained above average, mainly due to higher prices of imported food items in source markets including, notably, wheat in Kazakhstan. At the national level, wheat flour prices in Afghanistan were stable from November to December 2020, though at levels 11 percent higher than last year and 27 percent higher than the three year average
Socio economic impacts: Food prices are already at elevated levels due to COVID 19. According to WFP's market monitoring, the average wheat flour price  ( low price and high price )  increased by 13 per cent between 14 March and 20 January, while the cost of pulses, sugar, cooking oil and rice  ( low quality )  increased by 23 per cent, 21 per cent, 46 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively, over the same period. This price increase is accompanied by declining purchasing power of casual labourers and pastoralists – which have deteriorated by 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively  ( compared to 14 March ) .
The revised Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP )  for 2018 2021 was published on 9 January. The HRP identifies 18.4 million people – nearly half the population – are 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.
According to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation  ( DoRR ) , a total of 11,903 Afghanistan nationals returned from Iran through the Milak and Islam Qala border crossing sites between 8 and 14 January. 6,198 people returned voluntarily and 5,705 were deported. IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 414 people or 3 per cent of all undocumented Afghanistan nationals returning from Iran at its transit centres in Hirat and Nimroz during the past week.
■ So far in 2021, FSAC has received only $7.5 million of $553.8 million required in 2021. The livelihoods funding situation is especially grim with very few resources available for this vital part of the response. Timely funding is critical for the implementation of seasonal and time sensitive activities  ( such as lean season, animal feed and seed assistance ) .
Reduction in water availability may further erode livelihoods for those who rely on livestock as their primary productive assets. Death or selling of livestock often requires multiple years to recover.
■ Lack of access to land and HLP rights may drive the creation or expansion of existing informal settlements, prolonging suffering for those who remain in these sites, often in undignified living conditions.
Shocks anticipated over spring are likely to disrupt already fragile access to education for many children. Children often drop out of school in times of financial and displacement shock, placing them at higher risk of being forced to work.
Of the 10 high priority provinces, EiE partners have pre positioned supplies in 6  ( Ghor, Faryab, Badghis, Kunar, Badakhshan and Hirat )  which can be quickly distributed to address children's immediate education needs in these areas. s. WASH in Education supplies are, however, only available four of the provinces  ( Ghor, Faryab, Kunar & Badakhshan ) .
While clusters currently have $126 million in carryover funds from 2020, this is mostly earmarked funding that may not be available to meet new drought related needs. Several clusters have virtually no carryover funds at all  ( Health, WASH, Nutrition ) .
The total requirement to meet urgent needs over the spring period and prevent worsening humanitarian need is $390 million. The 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan is less than 4 per cent funded.
The Marastoon Social Centres – which provides humanitarian support to the poorest of the poor in the local community, especially underprivileged women, by offering shelter, food, education, vocational training and medicine – piloted a project on mask production and income generation by the female residents.
Following the reported tragic incident in May 2020 where a group of Afghan workers trying to enter Iran were reportedly forced into a river, UNHCR established an incident monitoring system at all official entry points. This is aimed to record possible human rights violations as well as protection risks and challenges during the border crossing  ( outflow and inflow ) . During the reporting period, no incident was reported.
Close to 23% of respondents from Pakistan and 40% from Iran stated that they intend to go back to the Country of Prior Residence for employment. Similarly, close to 34% of respondents from Iran and 64% of the respondents from Pakistan stated that they intend to go back to Country of Prior Residence to join family or to collect property. 3% of the respondents from Iran stated that they intend to go back to Iran to move on to a third country.
Interviewed returnees from Iran were travelling to 33 provinces, with the majority  ( 70% )  stated that they were intending to return to Herat, Nimroz, Faryab, Takhar, Ghor, Ghazni, Badghis, Farah, Sar e Pul, and Kunduz provinces.
71% of the interviewed returnees/deportees stated that have no education,  ( 83% female and 67% male ) . 9 % stated that they have minimal education  ( up to grade 6 ) , 8% up to grade 9, 7% up to grade 12, 2% went to madrasa, and 3% went to university.
Government of Afghanistan should increase efforts to protect religious leaders, as well as religious minorities, such as the Shi'a Muslim and Sikh religious minority population from sectarian motivated attacks, human rights defenders and media personnel, including through theenhancement of existing protection and security measures, strengthening preventative mechanisms, and ensuring better coordination and communication with affected communities;
The Taliban should ensure that all directives and orders comply with international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality and hold accountable those conducting indiscriminate attacks or attacks deliberately targeting civilians and civilian objects. Apply a definition of ‘civilian' that is consistent with international humanitarian law; enforce statements by Talibanleadership that prohibit attacks against civilians and in civilian populated areas; implement directives ordering Taliban members to prevent and avoid civilian casualties; and publicize Taliban civilian protection policies;
All Pro Government Forces should strengthen post operation reviews andinvestigations following allegations of civilian casualties with a view toidentifying broader patterns of harm,improving operational practice, and ensuring accountability; prioritize the finalization oftheimproved Government civilian casualty review mechanism and ensure it has adequate resources to function properly;
All Anti Government Elements should immediately cease the deliberate targeting of civilians, provide immediate and clear instructions to all combatants concerning the protected statusof civilians,including members of the civilian government administration,members of the judiciary, journalists, schoolteachers, first responders, aid workers and human rights defenders,including the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission so that it may continue to carry outits work unimpeded and unharmed
Government of Afghanistan should put in place mechanisms for re integration of children formerly associated with parties to the conflict,including those detained on national security related charges and children rejected through the Afghan National Police Child Protection Units;