nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ April 2021, GoS & NES ]  The crossings between Kurdish controlled areas and Government of Syria controlled areas re opened in early April, after two weeks of closure, under a new agreement including that the Kurdish authorities would provide the Syrian Government with 200 fuel tanker trucks each week.
[ 22 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Lack of electricity remains the key challenge, especially operating water systems relying on alternate secondary generators as their main source of energy. This is consuming more than 35 per cent of the WASH sector required funds. Reliable and consistent modalities to supply electricity must be prioritized.
[ 23 March 2021, Northern Syria ]  The sources of the Syrian Observatory confirmed that not only had the price of fuel increased, but that there had been a significant increase in the prices of basic materials such as vegetables, fruits, meat and others due to the decline of the Turkish lira against the US dollar, which caused a crisis for the entire population of Idlib and its countryside, especially with Ramadan is approaching, and civilians start to supply their homes with essential supplies.
[ 23 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Despite relatively favourable conditions for winter cereal growth, high prices of domestic and imported inputs are hampering agricultural activities. These are the result of the dramatic currency depreciation and high transportation costs stemming from fuel shortages.
[ 5 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  With the ongoing conflict, food prices have skyrocketed since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic. According to UN figures, the cost of staples – including vegetables, bread, oil and sugar – rose by almost 240 percent from 2019 to 2020. In the same period, about half the Syrian population reported losing one or more sources of income because of the economic downturn related to the pandemic.
[ 26 March 2021, Northern Syria, NES, GoS ]  The death toll from the virus has increased to 2,193. According to official data, 1,195 deaths were recorded in the regime held areas, 361 in SDF areas, and 637 in northern Syria.
[ 26 March 2021, Northern Syria and GoS ]  Medical sources confirmed to SY 24 that the vaccination campaign against the coronavirus will begin early next month in the regime controlled areas and the opposition held areas in northern Syria.
[ 23 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Recommendations: Urgently advocate for increased agricultural support to boost local crop and livestock production, especially while food prices remain high.
[ April 2021, NES ]  Access to water: Piped water network was the most commonly reported source of drinking water  ( reported by KIs in 40% of communities ) .
[ 6 June 2021, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry indicated that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 24,659 till now, of which 21,635 have recovered while 1,793 patients have passed away
[ 23 March 2021, GoS ]  Medical sources in Damascus told Sowt Al Asima that the Al Mouwasat, Al Mujtahid, Ibn Al Nafees, Red Crescent, and Al Assad University Hospitals have stopped admitting any positive cases, for they do not have any vacant beds in the coronavirus unit.
[ 23 March 2021, GoS ]  According to the medical sources, the new cases received in the capital's hospitals included children and adolescents, unlike the first and second waves of the virus.
[ 22 March, 2021, GoS ]  During the last week of February, the Ministry announced the start of giving the vaccine against the Coronavirus to health cadres most vulnerable to infection, who are working in isolation centers, with priority for the older age group.
[ Jan Feb, 2021, Overall Syria ]  Since livelihoods have been adversely affected by the prevailing economic crisis and many other contextual shocks, households were reported to be adopting various coping mechanisms  ( i.e. strategies ) , to deal with worsening food access. From the four regions, namely South, Homs/Hama, Northeast and Aleppo, there were reports of families already adopting food based reduced coping strategies  ( i.e. rCSI, Reduced Coping Strategies Index )  to cope with the dire situation. Ranked according to the most common coping strategy, most families were relying on less preferred and less expensive foods, limiting portion size at mealtime and reducing the number of meals eaten in a day.
[ 23 March 2021, GoS ] The medical sources added that the number of daily consultations has increased dramatically during the last two weeks, indicating that hospital administrations have issued instructions stipulating that the rotations of doctors and medical staff be increased twofold.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  Since the last situation report in 26 January 2021, eight COVID 19 Community based Treatment Centres  ( CCTC )  remain deactivated, which are critical for triage and case detection as they are the first contact points in the community. Further imminent funding gaps risk disrupting vital response services, in particular the referral system for patient transportation, manning points of entry with Infection Prevention Control and screening measures, and essential health services such as hospitals and primary health centres across the northwest in the coming months. 24 active CCTCs  ( with 1,088 beds )  remain in northwest Syria, while 12 hospitals that treat COVID 19  ( with 234 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds and 926 regular beds )  remain.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  The number of new confirmed COVID 19 cases in northwest Syria have declined significantly during the reporting period, with a more than 80 per cent decrease noted in new cases compared to its peak in the month of November. 93,713 tests have been conducted to date, with 21,164 cases confirmed as of 26 February – 11,552 cases in the Idleb area and 9,612 in northern Aleppo governorate. The test positivity rate during the reporting period also decreased to 6.9 percent compared with 23 percent in December. A total of 408 COVID 19 associated deaths have been reported to date with an overall fatality rate of 1.93 percent in northwest Syria. The percentage of current cases among medical healthcare workers are 7.4 percent, encompassing nurses, doctors and midwives, while a further 5.4 percent are auxiliary workers in the health sector. Some 10.5 percent of all COVID 19 cases are in IDP camps.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  As of 26 February, the total number of COVID 19 associated deaths were 408, with a case fatality rate of 1.93 %. The mean age of COVID 19 cases was 37.4 years, with 53 cases reported to be under the age of five and 2,172  ( 10.3% )  cases reported to be over the age of 60. Since the first case of COVID 19 was confirmed on 9 July, by 25 February some 94,000 samples had been tested via RT PCR, with a total test positivity rate of 24.0%. As of 25 January, the number of health care workers  ( HCWs )  and health facilities staff  ( physicians, dentists, nurses, midwives and various medical technicians )  who contracted COVID 19 disease reached 1,554  ( 7.4 percent )  and another 1,136  ( 5.4 percent )  were other staff working in healthcare facilities or community health workers.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  Access to safe water through piped systems remains a challenge, with only 130 out of 200  ( 65 percent )  systems in Idleb and 138 out of 244  ( 56 percent )  systems in Aleppo currently functioning. Meanwhile, 15 percent of the stations in Aleppo and 16 percent of the stations in Idleb are running without being chlorinated. Without electricity, partners continue to operate these water stations through diesel generators, with the cost of fuel accounting for an estimated 30 per cent of the total WASH cluster expenditure. Further support is needed for the repair and rehabilitation of water stations and networks in order to connect these stations to electricity grids and improve service delivery while at the same time reducing the cost.
[ 23 March 2021, NES ]  Covid 19 is another threat. As of February 16, the UN had reported 8,537 cases of the virus in northeast Syria, but humanitarians warn that rates are vastly under counted because of insufficient staff and supplies for extensive testing. At least 13 cases of Covid 19 had been reported in al Hol and Roj as of December 2020. A greater outbreak could disproportionately harm camp and prison detainees as most are malnourished with severely limited access to medical services.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  According to data from monthly nutrition surveillance and admission into programmes for treatment of acute malnutrition, the nutrition situation continues to deteriorate across northwest Syria with a 55 percent increase in cases of severe acute malnutrition  ( SAM )  in January 2021 compared to January 2020. Similarly, the proxy prevalence of chronic malnutrition  ( stunting )  in January 2021 increased by 5 percent compared to the same period in the year prior, affecting one third of children aged 6 59 months.
[ 26 Feb, 2021, NWS ]  recent WASH Cluster household level surveys have shown that 78 percent of people stated that they did not have access to sufficient water during the previous month, while only 49 percent of people living in camps have access to both soap and water and handwashing facilities, 22 percent have no soap at all and 18 percent have no handwashing facilities. The current lack of WASH services are already exacerbating the capability of humanitarian actors and affected populations as cases of water borne diseases such as diarrhoea are currently higher than in previous years  ( 17,386 cases compared to 13,118 in 2017 )  and are expected to increase significantly with the reductions in WASH services being experienced.
[ 1 April 2021, Overall Syria, GoS, NWS, NES ]  Approximately 50,406 COVID 19 cases and 2,284 deaths have been confirmed across all areas of Syria as of the 01 April. This includes 18,909 cases and 1,265 deaths reported in government controlled areas; 21,318 cases and 637 deaths reported in north western Syria, and 10,179 cases and 382 deaths reported in north eastern Syria.
[ 11 JUL, GoS ]  The Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection announced late Saturday night that it had amended the price of a liter of diesel to 500 Syrian pounds, after it was set at 180 pounds for most sectors and 135 pounds for ovens, an increase of more than 170 percent.
[ 23 March 2021, NES ]  Medical and other supplies are scarce in the camps and prisons, in part because of difficulties aid workers face in gaining access to the region.
[ 11 JUL, GoS ]  The day after the announcement of raising the prices of bread and diesel, President Bashar al Assad issued a decision to increase the salaries of civil and military workers in the state by 50 percent, and to raise the "general minimum wage and the minimum wage for professions for private sector workers" to 71,515 Syrian pounds, compared to 47,000 pounds in the past. Assad also issued a decree to increase pensions by 40 percent.
[ overall Syria ]  Islamic State militants shot and killed a nurse travelling between villages in Deir ez Zor governorate and damaged an INGO's medical mobile unit in an IED explosion in Al Hasakah governorate.
[ 2nd March 2021, GoS ]  Rural Damascus governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient to no service of isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  Exchange rate falls  ( Turkish Lira  ( TRY )  ) : The informal USD/TRY regional median exchange rate is at 8.33 TRY to 1 USD, which is an increase of 2% from previous month and a decrease of 1% since the last six months.
[ 8 July 2021, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 25,753 till now, of which 21,872 have recovered, and 1,895 others have passed away.
[ 2nd March, 2021, SDF ]  Aleppo, Ar raqqa, Al Hasakeh and Deir ez Zor governorate had little to no communities implementing COVID 19 mitigation measures such as awareness campaigns, closure of public spaces, social distancing, lockdown, prohibition of gatherings, temperature check etc.
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  The price of Eggs is at 5,600 SYP for 30 eggs  ( 1.8 USD ) . There is a 10% decrease compared to the previous one month and 11% increase in the last six months. % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 0%.
[ 3rd March,2021, GoS ]  Overall, while official numbers remain relatively low, it is clear community transmission in Syria is widespread. Epidemiological analysis indicates the emergence of a second wave in mid December, when the caseload was the highest reported to date in a single month  ( 3,547 ) . Given the limited/insufficient testing across Syria, it is likely the actual number of cases far exceeds official figures, with significant numbers of asymptomatic and mild cases in particular going undetected.
[ 3rd March,2021, GoS ]  Contact tracing also remains a challenge, including in more remote governorates and camps. In addition, for reasons including community stigma and individual reluctance to go to hospitals, it is further likely significant numbers of people with symptoms are not seeking tests or treatment. In addition to making actual numbers of cases difficult to ascertain, this may increase the risk of late referral of severe/complicated cases for treatment, negatively impacting the long term health prospects and survival of patients.
[ 4 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  Access to credit in the country is negligible. As the current supply capacity of the General Organization for Seed Multiplication  ( GOSM )  covers only 20 percent of the total wheat seed demand, most farmers used their own seeds saved from the previous harvest or had to purchase them on the markets at a price higher than the subsidized price of SYP 450/kg guaranteed by the GOSM.
[ 23 March 2021, GoS ]  The cost of a stay in the units designated for coronavirus patients in Damascus hospitals ranges between 500,000 to one million pounds per night, bearing in mind that this is only the accommodation cost and does not include the cost of medication and other costs. The administration of the Al Kindi Hospital in Damascus set the cost of stay at one million pounds per night, while the cost at Al Mahaini, Al Fayha, and Al Madina Hospitals is 700,000 pounds per night. It costs 500,000 pounds per night in Al Andalus Hospital in the Kafr Sousa area, according to the information gathered by the Sowt Al Asima correspondents.
[ 4 May 2021, NES ]  The true number of people affected by COVID 19 is believed to be much higher as people continue to struggle to access testing and health care. "It is shocking that one year into the outbreak, the region of Northeastern of Syria still struggles to find the essential COVID 19 supplies," said Crystal Van Leeuwen, MSF  ( Médecins Sans Frontières )  medical emergency manager for Syria. "There is a clear lack of laboratory testing, inadequate hospital capacity to manage patients, not enough oxygen to support those who need it most and limited availability of personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  for health workers."
[ 3rd March, 2021, NES ]  In NES, there are 23 planned COVID 19 treatment centres for moderate severe and critical cases, with 15 currently fully or partially operational  ( four in Al Hasakeh, six in Ar Raqqa, two in Deir Ez Zor and one each in Kobane and Menbij ) . The current total capacity is 963 beds for moderate severe cases and 80 for ICU. In November, a COVID 19 facility was activated in Ar Raqqa for pregnant women, including a dedicated delivery unit. An additional two facilities were also activated in Deir Ez Zor. Facilities in Al Hasakeh city, Deir Ez Zor  ( Kisreh ) , Menbij and Tabqa were activated in December. However, this dedicated hospital capacity remains under utilized, with less than five per cent of established beds occupied.
[ 16th ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  Aleppo governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient to no service of isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ 4 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  The Agriculture Bank provided granular nitrate fertilizer at the subsidized price of about SYP 200/kg  ( while the average market price in February was SYP 1 500/kg ) , with a substantial increase compared to SYP 108/kg last year and phosphate at SYP 240/kg  ( compared to SYP 1 175/kg on the market ) , compared to SYP 175/kg last year.
[ March 2021, GoS ] The last financial grant topping up salaries of civilians and military personnel in State departments to compensate for increased cost of living was made in March 2021 in the amount of SYP 50 000  ( corresponding to about USD 20 at the official exchange rate ) .
[ 3rd March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  Due to the prolonged crisis in Syria, the public health system is fragile and requires considerable support to reinforce its capacity to support a potential outbreak of COVID 19. Only 57 public hospitals  ( 64 per cent )  are fully functioning. There is also a considerable shortage of trained staff and a high turnover rate, all of which reduce its capacity to manage cases, and of medical equipment essential for case management, including ventilators. The crisis has also disrupted national routine surveillance with currently EWARS the only timely surveillance system for communicable diseases.
[ 3rd March, 2021, Overall Syria ]  Border closures, the volatility of the exchange rate  ( and banking challenges in Lebanon ) , and other factors that impact the import of certain medical supplies critical to an effective COVID 19 response are also a concern. Other materials are in short supply in the local market, including due to wholesalers withdrawing supplies due to current exchange rate volatility. Humanitarian staff are also impacted, with restrictions on movement and lengthy quarantine limiting the ability to deploy staff and contractors where needed, including international staff unable to cross borders. Evolving preventive measures also disrupt humanitarian programming, as do unforeseen events.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  The specific information on rollout of the vaccine remains limited, including location of vaccination points, access to areas currently unserved or under served by existing vaccination infrastructure, or eligibility for healthcare workers who cannot access the vaccines if they are provided from MoH Health Points.
[ 23 March 2021, Northern Syria ]  The sources of the Syrian Observatory added that most of the owners of shops of all kinds in northern Syria follow the same method every time a change occurs in the exchange of the Turkish or Syrian lira in the past, which is to determine their prices at the new exchange rate even though they obtained them at the old price, as some shopkeepers deliberately Fuel sales will be halted until the next morning, knowing that its prices will rise.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  By the end of Q4 2020 as seen in table 1 above, there was a remarkable increased in the functional health facilities: 12 PHCs and 5 mobile clinics, 2 specialized care centers. Out of total functioning health facilities reported from the North of Syria 236  ( 56% )  of them are in Idleb governorate and 166  ( 39% )  are in Aleppo governorate; while 21  ( 5% )  health facilities reported are from Northeast Syria  ( Al Hasakeh, Ar Raqqa, Deir ez Zor )  governorates.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  10% of the facilities reported without/with an interrupted water supply
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  Functionality has been assessed at three levels: fully functioning which means open and providing full package of essential services, partially functioning means open but not providing the full package of essential services, or not functioning. Out of 565 assessed health facilities, 65.5%  ( 371 )  were reported fully functioning compared to 62%  ( 360 )  in the previous quarter, 9.2%  ( 52 )  partially functioning compared to 6%  ( 36 )  in the previous quarter. Note that 3%  ( 18 )  of the facilities did not update their report. See Figure 2. Figure 2. Functionality status of Health facilities
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  423 HFs functional compared to 396 in 3rd quarter 2020. The breakdown of the functioning health facilities is as follows 63  ( 15% )  are Hospitals, 173  ( 41% )  are fixed PHCs, 83  ( 19.5% )  are mobile clinics, 53  ( 12.5% )  specialized care centers**, while 51  ( 12% )  others health facilities***. 51 health partners managing and supporting were reported. Out of total  ( 565 )  reported health facilities, 423 HFs functioning, 124 nonfunctioning and 18**** with no reports compared to  ( 577 )  reported health facilities, 396 HFs functioning, 157 nonfunctioning and 24 with no reports in the 3rd quarter 2020.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  The condition of the health facilities infrastructure has been assessed at three levels: fully damaged: major damage requiring complete reconstruction, partially damaged: requiring substantial to large scale repair, and not damaged, out of the total facilities assessed 10%  ( 58 )  health facilities were reported damaged  [ 24 fully damaged and 34 partially damaged ] , 60%  ( 345 )  were reported intact. See figure 3. Figure 3: Level of Damage
[ April 2021, NWS ]  63 days is the number of days the average day labourer would need to work to earn the monthly cost of basic SMEB items.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  The functioning health facilities have been assessed according to whether the health facility exists prior to the crisis or established after the crisis. Out of the functional health facilities 312  ( 73.5% )  were newly established, while 111  ( 26.5% )  of health facilities existed prior to the crisis in 2011. See figure 4. Out of the new established health facilities 30% were established in new building, 17.5% working in governmental buildings, 20% in Residential Building and 4.5% working in schools and 28% in other public structures.
[ Dec 2020, NWS ]  Out of the functioning facilities 84% health facilities are settlements/communities while 16% are in IDP camps. It's worth to mention that 77% of the functioning health facilities located in settlements/communities are serving both IDPs and residents.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  Hotline B was designed for medical staff at non COVID health facilities to report and refer individuals suspected of having COVID 19 for treatment at appropriate CTFs  ( COVID Treatment Facilities ) . March was the highest ever reported number of referrals through Hotline B with 304 calls made, compared to 111 and 116 in January and February, respectively. The majority of Hotline B calls came from Raqqa, making up 61% of calls to Hotline B. Among calls to Hotline B 45% were sent to the ICU, while the remainder were either sent to moderate or suspected COVID wards. This is an increase from the previous month when only 23% of cases were referred to the ICU.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  Due to the low number of cases in the late winter and early spring, the population in NES has reduced adherence to personal protective measures and have resumed life as normal.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  As the cases rose in March 97% of all calls to the hotline were persons reporting symptoms  ( who then were remotely triaged ) , while the remaining 3% were requests for information or other. Since September and October, where 3,403 and 3,052 calls were received respectively, the number of calls registered through hotline A has declined. In January 127 calls to hotline A were made, while in February this dropped to 55. In March however, the number of calls to the hotline began to rise in relation to the increasing number of cases and over the course of the month 380 individuals called hotline.
[ April 2021, NES ]  Access to Sanitation: 36% of communities where KIs reported waste removal services as a WASH priority need.
[ 4 April 2021, NES ]  COVID 19 testing capacity in NES is reaching a catastrophic situation as necessary supplies are nearing stockout as the number of new cases continue to rise, and the testing positivity rate rises at the same time. The report from the central laboratory in Qamishli on 4 April stated that the laboratory had ten days of remaining supplies before stockout of RNA extraction kits at which point the laboratory would no longer be able to process PCR tests.
[ 14 July 2021, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 25,806 till now, of which 21,896 have recovered, and 1,901 others have passed away.
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  The SMEB Food Component is at 251,524 SYP  ( 82 USD ) . There is a 11% decrease compared to the previous one month but 41% increase in the last six months.
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  Highest % of surveyed vendors reporting a SMEB food item as unavailable in their community/neighbourhood: 1% for chicken. Highest % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/neighbourhood for previous month: 2% for bread
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  The price of flour per kilo is at s at 1,200 SYP per kilo  ( 0.4 USD ) . There is a 14% decrease compared to the previous one month and 49% increase in the last six months. % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 0%. Flour is typically imported from Turkey and is thus affected by a fluctuating exchange rate.
[ 6 April 2021, NES ]  The funding status of Covid Treatment Facilities  ( CTFs )  will severely impact the ability of COVID service providers to respond to the continuous rise in cases. NES is currently seeing a peak in cases that has overtaken any point during the COVID crisis since the pandemic began one year ago, yet as the number of cases are reaching to new heights the number of facilities providing treatment is diminishing. Only six of 21 currently operational CTFs have NGO support after April, after which point their operationality will depend on the already overstretched local health committees to provide essential services. Of the current 821 available beds in CTFs, only 346 of them have funding beyond April 30th, and as outlined in the section above there have been 448 admissions to CTFs within the past seven days from reporting CTFs. Without essential funding to support COVID partners on their COVID response the facilities will soon become overwhelmed and treatment will not be available to persons suffering from moderate or severe cases of COVID. After April 30th there will be no NGO supported CTFs in Deir Ezzor, Kobane, and Derek, and no NGO supported treatment for severe cases in Raqqa, Tabqa and Manbij.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  Despite minor short term decreases, the first half of 2021 has seen the highest recorded SMEB in SYP in the Market Monitoring exercise, attributed to the protracted hyperinflation of the Syrian economy. The SMEB in USD is currently the highest since December 2019.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  Water trucking is the main source of clean water for most individuals. While prices at the regional level have dropped slightly due to the appreciation of the SYP, different water challenges in each governorate have lead to erratic prices across the region: • Ar Raqqa: 7,661 SYP • Aleppo NE: 11,250 SYP • Deir Ez Zor: 13,275 SYP • Al Hasakeh : 18,765 SYP
[ 11 JUL, GoS ]  The Syrian government raised the price of unsubsidized gasoline by 25 percent, after it had also raised the price of subsidized and unsubsidized gasoline by more than 50 percent in March. The increase in the price of diesel today will be reflected in several sectors, including agriculture and industry, as well as public transportation.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ] Low quality manually refined fuels are reported as widely available across NES, and REACH field teams report that they are often used as transport fuel as high quality fuels are rarely available. However, the price of manually refined fuels vary greatly across governorates.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  The price of high quality petrol is at 2,150 SYP per litre. There is a decrease of 4% from previous month but an increase of 43% from the last six months. % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 71%
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  The SMEB Bulk Foods is at 106,175 SYP  ( 35 USD ) . There is a 16% decrease compared to the previous one month but 32% increase in the last six months. Almost all bulk food items decreased in price: tomato paste decreased  ( 22% ) , bulgur decreased  ( 16% ) , rice decreased  ( 15% ) , red lentils decreased  ( 15% ) , sugar decreased  ( 16% ) , salt prices no change  ( 0% ) . According to REACH field teams, these items are typically imported, but their prices decreased due to appreciation of the SYP against the TRY and USD. They are rarely produced locally, subjecting them to import fees and fluctuations of the SYP.
[ Syria, July ]  On 7 July 2021, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2585  ( 2021 ) , authorizing the continued cross border delivery of humanitarian assistance from Turkey to northwest Syria, through the Bab al Hawa crossing. The Resolution extends the cross border operations for six months, with another six month extension contingent on a substantive assessment by the Secretary General.
[ 19 March 2021, GoS ]  Syria has recorded 16,776 cases of Covid 19, including 1,120 deaths in government held areas. But the World Health Organisation  ( WHO )  believes the number of cases could be much higher in view of limited testing.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  The price of manually refined petrol is at 500 SYP per litre. There is a increase of 5% from previous month and an increase of 54% from the last six months. % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 1%
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  The gap between the highest and lowest average food basket prices widened by 32 percent from SYP 42,109 in January 2021 to SYP 55,607 in February 2021. Moreover, the gap increased by 304 percent since February 2020 highlighting continued supply chain disruptions across the country.
[ April 2021, NWS ]  Shelter and repair materials being too expensive was the most commonly reported challenge for households to repair their shelter  ( reported by KIs in 84% of communities ) .
[ 3rd 10th May 2021, NWS ]  Exchange rate falls  ( USD ) : The informal USD/SYP regional median exchange rate is at 3,060 SYP to 1 USD, which is a decrease of 13% from previous month and an increase of 28% since the last six months. In May, the SYP continued to appreciate against the USD. This is typically attributed to earlier than expected improvements in the global economy and the knock on impacts for national economies. The highest exchange rate was recorded at 3,150 SYP for 1 USD in Azmarin community, in Idleb governorate.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  Customers' purchasing power was also reported by the traders to have been affected. The majority of the interviewed traders mentioned that customers purchased 10 to 25 percent less of all food groups compared to early 2021.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the cross border region reported the highest average price of Egyptian white rice at SYP 2,366/kg  ( up 18 percent m o m ) , followed by the coastal region at SYP 2,338/kg  ( up 15 percent m o m ) . While Syria's middle region reported the lowest price at SYP 1,917/kg  ( up 12 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 2,064/kg  ( up two percent m o m )
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  In February 2021, the national average retail price of bulgur increased by ten percent m o m and by 196 percent y o y, reaching SYP 1,635/kg. Tartous reported the highest bulgur retail price at SYP 2,113/kg  ( up 19 percent m o m ) , while Idleb reported the lowest price at SYP 1,472/kg  ( up 27 percent m o m ) .
[ 9 JUL, NWS ]  Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said failing to unequivocally re authorise for 12 months or increase the number of international routes into Syria would limit the ability of UN agencies and humanitarian actors to reach millions of people in northern Syria, including children, whose needs have never been so great after 10 years of conflict, an economic crisis and a global pandemic.
[ 10 JUL, NWS ]  Bab Al Salam crossing to the north west and the Al Yaroubiah crossing to the north east, both crossings have been closed over the last 20 months through different Security Council resolutions, putting further pressure on Bab al Hawa.
[ 13 APR 2021, GOS ]  Availability of education services  ( % of sub districts ) :   2% available   95% partially available   3% not available
[ June 2021, NES ]  83% of households reported to receive insufficient income from livestock.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  The SMEB Food Component is at 245,851 SYP  ( 81 USD ) . There is a 8% decrease compared to the previous one month but 42% increase in the last six months.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  Highest % of surveyed vendors reporting a SMEB food item as unavailable in their community/neighbourhood: 8% for bread. Highest % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood for previous month: 11% for bread
[ March 2021, NES ]  Prices have increased as pharmacies have been forced to purchase their supply in US Dollars  ( USD )  following the fluctuations of the Syrian Pound  ( SYP ) .To cope with a lack of access to medicines, households reportedly resorted to taking a lower than the recommended dosage of medication in one fifth of communities.
[ 2nd ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  Aleppo and Al Hasakeh governorate and it's subdistricts had moderate to insufficient provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Estimated median daily wage for unskilled labour: 4,500 SYP in Northeast Syria; 5,000 SYP in Aleppo, 4,500 SYP in Al Hasakeh, 4,000 SYP in Ar Raqqa and 4,500 SYP in Deir ez Zor.
[ 16th ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  % of SDs with insufficient COVID 19 medical services:   Testing provision for COVID 19: 57% Lack this service,   Quarantine space for diagnosed COVID 19 cases: 59% Lack this service,   Isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases: 57% Lack this service and   Provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases: 54% Lack this service.
[ 16th ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  54% of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 2nd March, 2021, SDF ]  Al Hasakeh governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ 2nd ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  % of SDs with insufficient COVID 19 medical services:   Testing provision for COVID 19: 67% Lack this service,   Quarantine space for diagnosed COVID 19 cases: 73% Lack this service,   Isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases: 69% Lack this service and   Provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases: 67% Lack this service.
[ 2nd March 2021, GoS ]  53% of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 16th ​March, 2021, NSAG ]  Aleppo, Ar Raqqa, Idleb governorate had little to no communities implementing COVID 19 mitigation measures such as, closure of public spaces, social distancing, lockdown, prohibition of gatherings, compulsory mask wearing etc.
[ March 2021, NES ]  48% of communities where KIs reported that the lack of recognised certification of education level completed was a barrier to accessing education services.
[ March 2021, NES ]  76 100% KIs reported lack of medicines/medical equipment at the health facility in Sur, Basira, Thiban, Hajin and Ein Issa.
[ 2nd March, 2021, SDF ]  % of SDs with insufficient COVID 19 medical services:   Testing provision for COVID 19: 96% Lack this service,   Quarantine space for diagnosed COVID 19 cases: 96% Lack this service,   Isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases: 96% Lack this service and   Provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases: 96% Lack this service.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Not enough consumers to support markets in the assessed location was the most commonly reported reason for why markets were not functioning  ( reported by KIs in 78% of communities where households were unable to access markets in their own location ) .
[ 2nd March 2021, GoS ]  % of SDs with insufficient COVID 19 medical services:   Testing provision for COVID 19: 98% Lack this service,   Quarantine space for diagnosed COVID 19 cases: 94% Lack this service,   Isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases: 90% Lack this service and   Provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases: 90% Lack this service.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Around 64% of the IDPs displaced in March arrived in camp locations. Out of these, the vast majority are staying in tents  ( 76% ) , makeshift shelters  ( 14% )  or refugee housing units  ( 10% ) . As for the IDPs that were displaced into non camp settings, some 78% are staying in finished apartments or houses, however, a considerable 8% have had to seek shelter in tents and another 8% in public buildings.
[ February 2021, NES ]  71 days Number of days the average day labourer would need to work to earn the monthly cost of basic SMEB items.
[ February 2021, NES ]  KIs in 21% of communities reporting on challenges for renting shelters cited that rent prices were unaffordable for the majority of people
[ February 2021, NES ]  KIs in 83% of communities cited the high cost of food as a common challenge
[ 7 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  91% of the households with returnee members with no disabilities are likely to remain in the place that they have returned to. 93% of the households with 1 returnee member with disabilities are likely to remain in the place that they have returned to and 92% of the households with more than 1 members with disabilities are likely to remain in the place that they have returned to.
[ February 2021, NES ]  High price of suitable foods formula was the most commonly reported challenge to feeding young children  ( reported by KIs in 96% of communities )
[ February 2021, NES ]  Most commonly reported coping strategies for a lack of food  ( by % of communities )  69 mentioned borrowing money to buy food, 63% mentioned buying food with money usually used for other things, 62% mentioned relying on less preferred food lower food quality.
[ May 13, overall Syria ]  As monitored by Enab Baladi, the revenues of the Jaber Nassib border crossing amounted to 9.8 billion pounds by the end of 2019, considered very low even though the SYP was traded at only 500 per USD. This crossing was a transit road for nearly 54 thousand trucks transporting goods between the two countries, 38 thousand tourist vans and passenger vehicles.
[ May 13, overall Syria ]  The volume of exports, during 2014 and until the closure of the crossing at the end of March 2015, reached 27 billion SYP. The value of imports amounted to 78 billion SYP  ( One SYP was equivalent to 150 per USD ) . In 2010, the value of Syrian exports through the Nassib border crossing was estimated at more than 35 billion SYP, while the value of imports was about 47 billion SYP  ( 1 USD equaled 50 SYP ) .
[ February 2021, NES ]  Access to Electricity 12 hrs per day was the most commonly reported range for hours of electricity accessible to households  ( reported by KIs in 22% of communities )  23% of communities where KIs reported the main network is partially or completely not functioning as a barrier for electricity access.
[ May 13, overall Syria ]  In an interview withEnab Baladi, Abdul Hakim al Masri, Minister of Finance and Economy of the Syrian Interim Government  ( SIG )  believes that the Syrian regime is not counting on any economic gains achieved by the ongoing commercial transactions through the crossing. The Syrian regime mainly intends to achieve two goals far from the financial gains.
[ February 2021, NES ]  Access to Water 58% of communities where KIs reported that not all households had access to sufficient water. Piped water network was the most commonly reported source of drinking water  ( reported by KIs in 38% of communities )
[ February 2021, NES ]  Going to the pharmacy instead of a clinic was the most commonly reported coping strategy for a lack of healthcare  ( reported by KIs in 90% of communities )
[ February 2021, NES ]  85% of communities reported in person education services when these were functioning and 0% online. 47% of communities where KIs reported that the lack of access to internet, electricity and/or equipment was a barrier to accessing online education services.
[ February 2021, NES ]  Heating fuel is unaffordable for 98% of communities and 98% of communities for winterisation items.
[ February 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported:  48% Overcrowding reported as a shelter inadequacy,  63% Schools are overcrowded reported as a challenge for students who access education,  30% Health facilities are overcrowded reported as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ February 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported:   6% Lack of necessary protective equipment or supplies at health facilities reported as a barrier to healthcare access,   8% Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access and   36% Lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility reported as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ February 2021, NES ] % of communities where COVID 19 related barriers to access to services were reported: 22% reported Access to markets was reportedly hindered because markets reduced opening hours or days because of COVID 19
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  The SMEB Vegetable Component is at 12,150 SYP  ( 4 USD ) . There is a 19% decrease compared to the previous one month but 59% increase in the last six months. Cucumbers decreased by 28%, Onions decreased 14%, Tomatoes decreased by 17% and Potatoes decreased by 4%. REACH field teams attributed these price drops to key vegetable items being in season and produced locally, alongside the SYP appreciation.
[ 10 July 2021, GoS ]  A price list published by the state news agency on 10 July 2021, night showed one litre of diesel fuel will now cost 500 pounds, up from the 180 pounds users in most sectors were paying previously.
[ 3 10th May 2021, NES ]  The price of Bread is at 275 SYP per 8 piece bundle  ( 0.1 USD ) . There is a 38% increase compared to the previous one month and 21% decrease in the last six months. % of surveyed vendors reporting item as unavailable in their community/ neighbourhood: 8%.
[ February 2021, NES ]  Child labour and early marriage were reported to prevent children from going to school in 54% and 17% of communities.
[ February 2021, NES ]  % communities where barriers to accessing income from agriculture to meet basic needs reported lack of access to resources  ( 22% among residents and 9% among IDPs )
[ February 2021, NES ]  Soap was unaffordable for 79% of the communities, adult hygiene items by 88%.
[ 11 July 2021, GoS ]  Diesel fuel in Syria is used to power vehicles and private generators that run for up to 20 hours per day in some areas to supplement an ailing power grid hampered by fuel shortages.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Unaffordability and shortage of medicines as a result of border closures and economic crisis forced patients to reduce their medicine intake. Medicines were a reported priority need in about half of assessed communities, while a lack of medicines and equipment was cited as a barrier to accessing healthcare in over 40% of communities. Health facilities have experienced a shortage of critical medicines after the closure of the Al Yarubiyah border crossing in January 2020 as reportedly neither crossline support nor NGO shipments through commercial crossings have been sufficient to supply the demand.
[ 13 April 2021, Damascus, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of infections recorded in Syria till now has reached up to 20,331 cases, of which 14,122 have recovered, and 1385 have passed away.
[ March 2021, NES ] According to HNAP, 98% of people in NES live in extreme poverty. Further, HNAP finds that the percentage of people living below the SMEB is highest among daily workers. REACH findings show that the average daily labourer would need to work 78 days, or roughly 3 months, to earn the monthly cost of the basic SMEB.
[ March 2021, NES ]  The spread of the disease is enhanced by poor sanitation conditions including the inadequate management of waste dumping places and dysfunctionality of sewage systems. KIs reported that a functioning sewage system and waste removal services were a priority need in over half and a third of communities, respectively.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Most commonly reported overall priority needs for residents  ( by % of communities ) : 65% said Healthcare and 53% said WASH.
[ 24 March 2021, GoS ]  The director of Al Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus, Dr. Ahmed Abbas, said in statements last weekend that it has been two weeks that the isolation units are witnessing a doubling in the numbers of patients, indicating that the third wave is more challenging than the previous one. He added that the current situation in the capital calls for caution, noting that the elderly are the age group that is in the most danger.
[ March 2021, NES ]  The top three most commonly reported winterisation needs for residents and IDPs  ( by % of communities ) : The top most commonly reported is Heating fuel for residents  ( 64% )  and floor mats for IDPs  ( 74% ) . Second most common is floor mats for residents  ( 56% )  and heating fuel for IDPs ( 53% )  and the third most common is winter clothes for both residents and IDPs at 53% and 51% respectively.
[ March 2021, NES ]  Reported hygiene item unaffordable for the majority of people  ( by % of communities ) : 84% Soap, 89% Adult hygiene items, 93% Household cleaning items.
[ March 2021, NES ]  76 100% KIs reported waste removal services as a WASH priority need in Jurneyyeh.
[ 7 April 2021, GoS ]  The phenomenon of selling organs has become widespread in all regions under the control of the regime, due to the difficult living conditions, with the price of one kidney going from 12,000 dollars  ( 15 million Syrian pounds )  to 8,000 dollars  ( 10 million pounds )  due to the mounting number of people want to sell their kidneys.  ( The official exchange rate is 1,250 pounds for one dollar but in the black market it may reach 4,000 pounds for one dollar ) .
[ 11 July 2021, GoS ]  The price hikes coincided with a decree issued by President al Assad on Sunday that increases public sector salaries by 50 percent and sets the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds per month  ( $28 at the official rate ) , up from 47,000 pounds  ( $18 ) . In a second decree, al Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 percent, according to SANA.
[ 11 July 2021, GoS ]  The price of subsidised bread doubled to 200 Syrian pounds. The state run Syrian Foundation for Bakeries said that the rising price of diesel fuel contributed to the increase, according to SANA.
[ Jan 2020 2021, NWS ]  Households reporting fuel as a priority need has also significantly increased across the country, most notably in NWS, where by January 2021 69 percent reported a need for fuel, compared to just 32 percent one year earlier. In NWS, the need for NFIs decreased from 32 percent in January 2020 to 14 percent by January 2021.
[ 12 April 2021, NES ]  The new lockdown follows a relatively high number of local coronavirus cases. The administration reported 201 new cases on 12 April 2021 . The Qamishli based Rojava Information Center said that the new lockdown was prompted by northeast Syria experiencing “its all time highest Coronavirus rates.
[ 12 April 2021, NES ]  The “full lockdown' will last until April 22 and is a complete ban on nonessential movement. There are some exceptions: Supermarkets can remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pharmacies, hospitals, humanitarian organizations and journalists are also exempt.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  In northwest Syria, COVID 19 cases increased at a slower pace. Around 21,318 COVID 19 cases were reported by the end of March 2021, with only 143 new cases in March.
[ March 2021, GoSyria ]  In March 2021, the highest proportion of households with poor or borderline food consumption was recorded in Hama, with two thirds of interviewed households  ( 66 percent )  reporting inadequate food consumption  ( representing a 13 percent increase compared to a month earlier ) , followed by Homs  ( 59 percent ) . The greatest monthly increase of surveyed households with poor or borderline food consumption was detected in Lattakia  ( up by 40 percent )  and Damascus  ( up by 32 percent ) , reaching 58 percent and 47 percent, respectively, in March 2021.