nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
On January 16, 2021, Lebanon signed its final deal for 2.1 million doses of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine. The cost will be covered by a World Bank loan. The vaccines are due to start arriving in batches in February. Lebanon also signed up for 2.73 million doses through COVAX. However, it is not clear when the shots will arrive.
Lebanese security forces opened fire in violent clashes Wednesday with dozens of protesters who took to the street in the country's north for a third consecutive day to denounce deteriorating living conditions amid a strict lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Red Cross, in a statement, said its volunteers transported 11 people to hospital, while 63 others were lightly injured and treated on the spot.
the government has imposed a nearly month long nationwide lockdown and round the clock curfew
The measures have exacerbated a crippling economic and financial crisis that preceded the pandemic in this small Mediterranean country of nearly 5 million people and over 1 million refugees.
Lebanese officials unveiled the national vaccination plan, saying the government aims to inoculate around 80% of the population by the end of the year.
The government resigned in August following a massive blast at Beirut's port, which killed over 200 people and injured thousands.
Lebanon hit a new daily record for COVID 19 fatalities, registering 76 deaths
Unemployment and inflation have skyrocketed and tens of thousands have been thrown into poverty.
Hospitals are struggling with COVID 19 patients, reporting near full occupancy in ICU beds.
Nearly 290,000 infections have been recorded since last February and 2,553 deaths.
The surge has overwhelmed hospitals and the health care system.
In the first 11 days of January alone, Lebanon's Red Cross said it has transported over 1,200 COVID 19 patients to hospitals.
Protesters pelted government offices with stones and blocked a main square.
Dozens also gathered in central Beirut, blocking two major thoroughfares in the city's east and north.
the cash strapped government wasn't prepared to provide assistance for struggling businesses or the unemployed
Many saw the relaxation as the reason for the worsening of a surge in infections already in full swing in December.
the government imposed a nearly month long nationwide lockdown
But 2020 brought a new cascade of problems. The country's financial system collapsed, and the prime minister resigned, ousted by protesters fed up with endemic corruption. Then the coronavirus hit, followed by the devastating Beirut port explosion, of which many Syrians were among the victims. In less than a year, the currency depreciated by more than 80 percent.
Following tensions and growing conflicts over the distribution of resources between poor Lebanese people and refugees from Syria in the past, the challenge here is to take both groups into account in equal measure.
There is still a shortage of medical equipment, other immediate relief and a great deal of money. Money for rebuilding the destroyed city.
Since the explosion, the public health system has also struggled to cope with the growing number of COVID 19 cases, which rose from less than 200 cases a day before the blast, to an average of 1,500 cases per day in December 2020
The explosion struck a debilitated country that had already been hit by a wide range of crises before this one.
Despite challenging operating environment, Lebanon's local commercial supply chains and retail network continue to be currently efficient. However, the country is facing several key market risks that can potentially further decreasing purchasing power, especially for vulnerable people, as well as to a market collapse. Those risks are:
The most important highlights from these crises are the rising inflation whereby, currency lost 80% of its value with commodity prices consistently increasing.
According to WHO, the occupancy rate of ICU beds in Lebanon across all hospitals is 87.6%  ( as reported on Nov. 4 ) , therefore capacity of hospitals to treat severe cases is at critical stage.
After the massive explosion, LRC was immediately mobilized, and 75 ambulance teams were active on the ground in the rescue operation and supported by 50 teams from EMS centers outside Beirut.
Charaf Abou Charaf, head of Lebanese Order of Physicians, called on the government to provide hospitals and medical centers with ventilators as the situation has become very difficult.
LRC provided temporary shelter for 1,000 families and organized distributions of hygiene kits, personal protective equipment, ready meals, and food parcels and initiated emergency cash assistance in September.
LRC has taken up a central role in the assessment phase  ( Damage and Needs Assessment – DANA and Multi Sectoral Needs Assessment   MSNA ) .
LRC and IFRC are also actively engaging in inter agency coordination mechanisms  ( like OCHA coordination and cluster working groups such as Basic Assistance working group, WASH, Shelter, Logistics, CASH etc. ) .
Lebanon is expected to receive the first batch of COVID 19 vaccines by mid Feb.
Since September 2020, the cost of the Food SMEB has been fluctuating between LBP 105,000 and LBP 111,000. The national average stands at LBP 111,457 in December 2020. Beirut and El Nabatieh governorates recorded the most expensive SMEB in December 2020.
The Consumer Price Index  ( CPI )  witnessed an annual inflation of 133% between October 2019 and November 2020, while Food Price Index  ( FPI )  registered an inflation of 423% – representing an all time high since CAS started price monitoring on a monthly basis in 2007.
Starting from the 1st of January 2021, WFP will be monitoring and reporting on the “new' food basket. This basket consists of 19 food commoditiesv. In governorate level, small increases were registered in October 2020 the cost of the “new' food basket was LBP Akkar, Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, North and the South.
However, it is also bringing the population back closer together again at the same time. Volunteers from across the country began the reconstruction work straight after the accident – at their own initiative, without any support from state or municipal authorities.
More than half of the country's population lives in poverty, while the Lebanese pound has lost 80 percent of its value on the black market.
Private hospitals, which say they are owed millions of dollars in dues from a bankrupt state, provide more than 80 percent of Lebanon's healthcare services.
The vaccine will arrive in instalments and will cover 15 percent of the population, according to the health minister.
As a result of the blast, three hospitals in Beirut are now non functional and two hospitals are partially damaged, leaving a critical gap in hospital bed capacity.
“We're now asking for customers to present a test to show they are Covid 19 positive as well as a prescription from a doctor,' she said.
Outgoing finance minister Ghazi Wazni on Monday said the government is dedicating 75 billion Lebanese pounds  ( around $49m at the official rate )  to struggling families hit hard by the lockdown.
Some of the country's smaller hospitals have treated patients on the streets or in their cars
“Any device that can provide oxygen is necessary and is becoming more scarce.'
9,800 families affected by Port Explosion receive Lebanese Red Cross  ( LRC )  financial aid
WHO is distributing the supplies to priority hospitals across Lebanon receiving and treating injured patients.
The new measures introduced on Monday include new travel restrictions as officials and health professionals warned that hospitals were quickly running out of beds, leaving many scrambling for treatment.
Overwhelmed by the influx of new patients, hospitals have had to turn people away, sending many families into a desperate hunt for hospital beds. One hospital at the weekend said it was treating patients in cars because it had reached capacity.
Private hospitals will be obliged to expand intensive care units dedicated to coronavirus patients to help a strained public sector, the statement said.
Lebanon, a country of more than six million, has recorded 222,391 Covid 19 cases, including 1,629 deaths, since February.
Outgoing premier Hassan Diab said the outbreak had "spiralled out of control" and warned the country's healthcare system could "collapse" under the pressure.
Private hospitals, which say they are owed millions of dollars in dues from a bankrupt state, provide more than 80 percent of Lebanon's healthcare services. Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars
Lebanon is set to receive its first shipment of coronavirus vaccines in February from Pfizer BioNTech
Dr Abiad said all hospitals were reporting full, or almost full, intensive care units   and many have patients stuck in emergency wards, waiting for a bed.
If you look at the sharp rise in cases you see that Lebanon is really seeing unprecedented COVID numbers which is even beyond our wildest predictions.
On 17 December, four days before a nationwide lockdown was due to end, the government decided to ease a series of restrictions for the holiday period.
But videos on social media over Christmas and New Year showed packed clubs and bars. No attempts were made to crackdown on the violations
At the same time we've seen that the number of deaths has also tripled and the number of patients in ICU has gone up by almost 100%."
Lebanon was already in a critical state economically.
In a well organised control room, a team of volunteers is juggling telephone calls from patients' families with radio calls to the ambulance teams on the ground.
For the past year, Lebanon has faced an unprecedented situation. A series of multiple and consecutive shocks has worsened the country's socio economic, political, and health situation. An ongoing political vacuum has further worsened the situation, jeopardizing the country's chances of accessing much needed financial assistance. A highly volatile currency, closely tied to the political developments, further fuelled inflation. The Gross Domestic Product  ( GDP )  is estimated to contract by up to 25 percent by the end of 2020i. This in turn severely hampers the ability of both Lebanese and refugee population to access basic goods and services.
Cereal, food and total imports Jan Sep 2019 vs. Jan  Sep 2020 in mt Wheat imports, which falls under the cereal category, continues to be subsidized currently by the central bank, which explains the stable import level compared to previous years. Until the end of November, Lebanon imported 588,043 tons of wheat in 2020ix. Between August and November 2020, Lebanon imported 227,471 tons of wheat, compared to 173,490 tons for the same period in 2019, a 31 percent increase that came following the Beirut Port explosion, along with the rush to cover any market shortages that might arise, given the lack of clear data on the available wheat supplies in August 2020. Results from the weekly assessments conducted by the WFP Retail unit with the network of contracted shops beginning of December showed that retailers in the Northern part of the country had the lowest stock coverage. Thirty six percent of stores in the North had a stock coverage of less than two weeks, compared with a national average of 18 percent during the same week.
In 2020, an independent group of technical experts from the humanitarian community in Lebanon analysed the minimum and survival expenditure baskets and subsequently recommended a revised composition of the food and non food items of the baskets to cover the actual consumption patterns of Syrian Refugees. As of 1st of January 2021, WFP Lebanon will be monitoring and reporting on the “new' Food Basket, which stands at LBP 129,605 in December
In October 2020, the central bank issued new directives limiting the ability of banks to access LBP banknotesxi. This in turn led banks to introduce limits on cash withdrawals in LBP. Such a measure can potentially curb the amount of circulating LBP banknotes  ( increased by 147 percent since the beginning of the year, nearly 15 trillion LBP in valuexii ) , leading to an artificial strengthening of the LBP value, similar to the one registered when the measure was first introduced in October 2020  ( see exchange rate section ) .
Years of accumulative economic mismanagement has led to a slow collapse in every sector of society.
The monthly average informal exchange rate remained stable at around USD/LBP 8,000 between September 2020 and December 2020. However, a high daily volatility was registered over the past three months, tied directly to the political developments. This is double the rate applied by banks for withdrawals in LBP from dollar denominated accounts  ( LBP3,900/USD )  • Between January and September 2020, total imports volume decreased by 38 percent compared to the same period in 2019, while total food imports volume  ( excluding cereals )  decreased by 18 percent. The volume of imported cereals slightly increased, at an approximate total of 1 million tons during the reporting period.
The price of the basic food basket increased by nearly 189 percent since October 2019, recording a cost of LBP 111,457 in December 2020; however, there was minimal change observed in the cost between September and December 2020, with the price fluctuating between LBP 105,000 and LBP 111,000. This follows a similar trend as the monthly informal exchange rate average, which has been stable around USD/LBP 7,700 7,800, despite daily high volatility. Similarly, the price of the non food SMEB basket increased by 185 percent since October 2019.
That was then exacerbated by the pandemic and thedevastating port explosionlast year.
The destroyed port area has also been given a partial all clear. The container terminal, which is so important for basic supplies, is not as damaged as feared. Since 85% of all of Lebanon's food is imported and comes through Beirut's port, there had been concerns over supply shortages.
Vulnerable Lebanese and other at risk groups, such as refugees and migrant workers, are increasingly unable to meet their basic needs.
The fourth of August changed everything – all over again.Even before the devastating explosion in the port area of Beirut, the situation for people in Lebanon was not particularly easy, as the office director Sascha Stadtler explains
For instance, the Lebanese population had only just started to believe that they were getting the coronavirus crisis under control. The first lockdown measures were imposed as early as March, which meant the number of new infections had fallen to zero by July. Now, five out of Beirut's twelve hospitals have been completely destroyed and the rest were already working at the limits of their capacity even before the accident. Since the explosion, the virus has started spreading again in an almost uncontrollable manner; numbers are rising and new record highs are announced on a daily basis. People currently have other things to worry about than social distancing or protective masks.
Programmes and operations ensure safe and equitable provision of basic services, considering different needs based on gender and other diversity factors
Salaries are withheld until further notice and the future is uncertain especially for migrant workers and refugees.
Sex, age and disability disaggregated data is collected.
Compounding the crisis, Lebanon is grappling with its worst economic downturn since the 1975 1990 civil war.
Overwhelmed by the influx of new patients, hospitals have had to turn people away, sending many families into a desperate hunt for hospital beds.
One hospital at the weekend said it was treating patients in cars because it had reached capacity.
The needs of affected salary earners include: salary adjustment, new job opportunities; and specialized training.
Private hospitals, which say they are owed millions of dollars in dues from a bankrupt state, provide more than 80 percent of Lebanon's healthcare services. Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars But many have refused to treat Covid 19 patients or expand the number of hospital beds available to coronavirus cases until the government settles its debt.
Lebanon, a country of more than six million, has recorded 222,391 Covid 19 cases, including 1,629 deaths, since February. Over the past seven days, it has seen a 70 percent increase in infections, placing it among the countries currently experiencing one of the world's steepest virus upticks, according to AFP data.
More than half of the country's population lives in poverty, while the Lebanese pound has lost 80 percent of its value on the black market. Outgoing finance minister Ghazi Wazni on Monday said the government is dedicating 75 billion Lebanese pounds  ( around $49m at the official rate )  to struggling families hit hard by the lockdown.
In addition to the human toll, the pandemic is exacerbating the economic crisis in the aftermath of the Port of Beirut explosion last August. This vaccine rollout will target priority groups: high risk health workers, population above 65 years of age, epidemiological and surveillance staff, and population between 55 64 years with co morbidities. By prioritizing these groups, the country's vaccination program has the potential to reduce the consequences of the pandemic, even in conditions of supply constraints.
Since August 2020, MSF has stepped up our efforts to respond to the COVID 19 pandemic response in Lebanon and support the national health system in dealing with the pandemic. We have temporarily turned our hospital in Bar Elias, in the Bekaa Valley, into a COVID 19 facility and are supporting an isolation centre in Sibline, in the south of the country.
On top of that, MSF teams are involved in testing, health promotion and training activities in different locations across the country. The lockdown measures, although necessary, have contributed to exacerbating people's economic difficulties.
The army was deployed to contain the rioters, who torched a vehicle parked in the area
• On 29 November, the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities  ( MoIM )  issued another circular on amendment of preventive measures and procedures, ending the two week lockdown started on 14 November; industrial and commercial institutions allowed to operate with some conditions stipulated in the circular; bars, coffee shops and night clubs remained closed, and any events and gatherings prohibited; and the curfew imposed between 23.00  05.00. The circular, which was initially effective for a week from 30 November, was extended for another week until 14 December.
Reached 6,058 people  ( 4,462 children enrolled in remote non formal education programs and 1,596 caregivers )  with COVID 19 preventive measures, including providing guidance to families regarding support services and answers to questions and concerns as needed.
Conducted COVID 19 related awareness sessions, reaching 5,618 people in Jazzine, Saida and Zgharta: 5,571 people reached through COVID 19 public awareness sessions entailing general awareness of COVID 19 signs and symptoms, transmission modes and precautionary measures to be adopted; four people reached through back to business awareness sessions; and 43 people reached through the dead body management awareness aiming at acquainting relevant personnel with the required knowledge.
A total of 600 beneficiaries were reached through the provision of required support for relevant entities to properly apply the precautionary measures to halt the viral transmission at testing sites in addition to the dissemination of COVID 19 key messages to community members in Hermel.
The MoPH activated weekly meetings of technical group four of the COVID 19 vaccine national plan, which UN agencies are part of. This group aims to develop a crisis communications plan to address fake news and rumours on vaccines, as well as supporting the spread of informative messaging.
In the absence of functional government support, citizens and residents havetaken on some of the post disaster recovery, including cleaning the streets of debris, cooking and distributing food to displaced people and volunteers, surveying damaged buildings, helping locate missing individuals and pets and donating material goods.
The blast occurred at a time when Lebanon is facingmultiple overlapping crises: financial, fiscal, political and health. These ongoing challenges have pushed an estimated55 per centof Lebanese citizens into poverty. In the absence of functional government support, citizens and residents havetaken on some of the post disaster recovery, including cleaning the streets of debris, cooking and distributing food to displaced people and volunteers, surveying damaged buildings, helping locate missing individuals and pets and donating material goods.
The humanitarian aid following the Beirut explosion is necessary and ongoing. It is still surveying and distributing immediate relief to affected communities. But this response is unequally distributed and reproduces racism and inequality. At this critical time, it is imperative to build genuine and egalitarian humanitarism.
According to recent estimates by the World Bank that include the impact of the COVID 19 crisis, poverty would rise from 30% in 2019 to 45% or more of the population by the end of 20201, while extreme  ( food )  poverty would more than double to 22%.
This led to an enormous shock wave that rippled through greater Beirut and surrounding areas, extending up to Bekaa area. The sound of the explosion could be heard as far away as the island of Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean Sea 240 km away. The blast flattened the city's port, surrounding structures and infrastructure have been heavily damaged. Many buildings have collapsed or at risk of collapsing, roads blocked due to fallen debris and open cracks in the ground, mass destruction of vehicles all over the city, shattered glass has been reported miles away from the port. It is reported that around 200 people lost their lives, more than 6,000 people are injured and around 6 people are still missing, it is estimated that around 300,000 people have damaged households.
This has a direct effect on the lives and livelihoods of those employed whether residing inside or outside Beirut. Those living in low income and underserved parts of Beirut are among the most vulnerable as they may have lost both their houses and source of income. The damage extends to health sector, whereby multiple centrally located public and private hospitals reported extensive damage and were not able to welcome patients after the explosion and until today.
The rate of Covid 19 infection cases has been rising since August 2020 and a significant increase has been observed in October whereby an average of 1,500 cases was reported daily in the last week of October and even higher number of cases in the first week of November  ( 1,800 )  in various clusters in the country compared to a daily average of 100 cases in July; the highest reported number is 2,142 cases on November 7.
LRC has initially launched its emergency appeal and a 3 month plan on August 5 with a funding requirement of 19,142,842 USD. Following that, LRC has prepared a longer term plan for 1 year incorporating the blast recovery phase, COVID 19, and the economic crisis in the country with a budget of 125 million USD.
The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement coordination in Lebanon is anchored in the Movement Cooperation Agreement  ( MCA )  outlining the functional co ordination mechanisms in Lebanon with regular meetings at leadership, operational and technical level.
Mohammad Haidar, advisor to the Health Minister, said on Tuesday that the need for ventilators has increased tremendously in the past few days with 50 to 100 patients in need of oxygen on a daily basis.
The functional Movement coordination mechanisms and practical application of the Strengthening Movement Coordination and Cooperation  ( SMCC )  process in Lebanon continue to reinforce a coordinated and complementary Movement response. The LRC jointly with IFRC, ICRC, and Partner National Societies have regular meetings to ensure coordination and to keep the Movement partners updated and informed about the situation and on LRC operations. At this moment Movement partners are mobilizing funds to provide multilaterally funding through this Emergency Appeal, as well as to channel bilateral funding in support of the LRC One Response Plan.
More specifically on IFRC support, on 5th of August the IFRC immediately released 750,000 CHF allocated from the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund  ( DREF )  to support LRC's response. Later, on the 9th of August a Emergency Appeal was launched for 20 million CHF. This appeal is in support of the LRC appeal first issued on the 5 th of August. The IFRC appeal provides an alternative funding channel for partners and donors who want to use the multilateral channel to support LRC response efforts. It is important to note that to date, LRC has been receiving strong bilateral support and contributions from national and international donors, governments and Movement and non Movement partners.
Multiple international and national actors are working in country and are actively involved in the response. These actors are mainly governmental disaster management bodies, the Lebanese military, UN agencies, INGOs and local NGOs. The latter were significantly active on the ground with youth groups and volunteers who were mobilized for clean up and relief efforts. The humanitarian sector has activated existing sector specific working groups  ( clusters )  and inter agency coordination mechanisms for coordinated assessments, effective management, and standardization of approaches.
The MSNA is ongoing and LRC is leading on the rollout through their volunteers trained in door  to door survey data collection. The MSNA is performed in coordination with UNHCR and OCHA, and with the participation of other shelter sector partners.
Specifically, for shelter, which is one of the pressing priorities, LRC is part of the Inter Agency Shelter Working Group  ( SWG )  co led by UNHCR and UN Habitat, where a sectoral emergency and recovery strategy has been drafted and Temporary Technical Committees have been set up to develop technical guidance for prioritized early recovery shelter interventions  ( Cash for Rent; Repairs and Rehabilitation of residential shelters; Housing, land and Property rights ) . Also, noteworthy, UN agencies particularly UNHCR and UNOCHA can be found working daily in the LRC operations centre in IM, other agencies are also regular visitors to LRC as they are the lead agency in assessment  ( MSNA ) .
Twenty tons of WHO health supplies was recently delivered to Beirut in part to help Lebanon weather the ongoing COVID 19 crisis
On the 5th of February 2020, LRC transported the first COVID 19 mission, and until this day through 48 responding EMS stations and 1,607 trained EMTs, LRC has succeeded in transporting 7,314 suspected and confirmed COVID 19 patients to hospitals. The number of COVID 19 missions increased post the Beirut blast in August whereby the number reached up 4,061 in comparison to 3,372 missions during February 5 and August 3. In addition, 166 volunteers have been trained on PCR transportation, and until the end of October, 53,398 PCR tests have been transported from and to hospitals across the 8 Lebanese governorates. Since February 2020, EMTs have used up to 5,702 advanced COVID 19 kits and 56,635 intermediate ones; a total of 62,337, half of which were consumed between August and October.
Throughout the past 9 months, LRC also supported quarantined households by providing 1,720 quarantine kits to 9,221 individuals. In addition, 32,840 vulnerable beneficiaries received in kind and food parcels in response to COVID 19. Moreover, 741 entities were disinfected by LRC and 193,908 PPEs, disinfection, hygiene as well as medical equipment were distributed to the targeted entities at the governorate level such as the Lebanese University, LRC centers, quarantine centers etc. Under the community engagement component, a package of innovative interventions was developed to address the different groups in the community. Different communication channels and tools were selected based on the needs and role of the targeted groups as well as the phase of the pandemic.
Lebanese Red Cross COVID 19 pandemic has been exacerbating in Lebanon, especially over the last 3 months after the port explosion on August 4. The Lebanese Red Cross  ( LRC )  plays a critical role in this response and is one of the key members in the Governmental committee formed to manage and follow up on the national response against COVID 19. In fact, when the first COVID 19 cases were announced in Lebanon, the LRC has been mandated by the Ministry of Health  ( MoPH )  to take the lead in transporting suspected and confirmed COVID 19 cases. Over the past months, LRC has been playing a distinctive role in effectively responding to this pandemic, and its response goes beyond the transportation of cases. The NS's response is built around six strategic objectives:
As part of preparing to the re opening of schools in Lebanon  ( hybrid learning ) , 74 Lebanese health supervisors at public schools aged above 30 years, with the majority  ( 73% )  being females, were trained on COVID 19 awareness dissemination specifically on effectively raising awareness at their respective entities and share the information and knowledge gained with the administrative bodies, teachers and students at schools. This would contribute to safe return and minimize the risk of transmission at educational institutions. LRC also contributed in the provision of masks, disinfectants and hand sanitizers at public schools.
This might lead to further expansion of the response with the possibility of fatigue and burn out at the level of staff and volunteers.
The affected area includes people from all socio  economic backgrounds who were affected in the same way and lost their properties, households, and source of income in many cases.
The IFRC secretariat, together with National Societies uses their unique position to influence decisions at local, national and international levels that affect the most vulnerable.
IFRC and NS are visible, trusted and effective advocates on humanitarian issue
Palestine Red Crescent Society – Lebanon Branch Palestine Red Crescent Society   Lebanon Branch  ( PRCS L )  was also heavily engaged in the COVID 19 response in the respective areas of operation within the Palestinian camps. The interventions focused on two levels: hospitals/health centers and community level; thus ensuring availability of the health services and well prepared staff coupled with awareness at community level. At the level of hospitals and health centers: Direct action taken in the 5 PRCS L hospitals was limiting admissions to the cases classified as emergency cases. Triage rooms have been created in the entrances of hospitals and health centers. In addition to that, isolation rooms have been prepared. Throughout the reporting period, there has been an emphasis on the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment  ( PPEs )  and the use of sterilization materials for staff and volunteers who are at higher risk of exposure. PRCS L staff  ( 88 up till end of September )  had participated in many trainings related to infection control and on how to deal with PPEs with the support of some other partners even from outside movement. Procedures were set and were being continuously updated, especially as more cases were being detected within the hospitals. Moreover, an understanding was established with the Lebanese RC to accompany them when there is a case inside the camp. Hospitals are always in communication with the Lebanese RC in case of receiving of suspected cases that need transportation. At community level: Since the end of February 2020, PRCS L has initiated tailored awareness activities to fit with COVID 19 related Awareness for the communities residing in the Palestinian camps and gatherings. Volunteers who are providing awareness were well aware and trained about the diseases.
The emerging needs according to ACAPS which triangulates data from different NGOs, UN agencies and Lebanese Red Cross, are shelter  ( rehabilitation ) , capacity and access to health services and livelihoods  ( including access to food ) . These prioritized needs are also confirmed by the results of the Multi sectoral assessment3 conducted by the Lebanese Red Cross where 80% of the assessed households prioritized Shelter Repairs, Medical Care, Medication, Cash and Food.
Few people have access to an adequate social safety net and as the situation worsens, many will be unable to afford the cost of even basic healthcare and other essentials.
UNRWA indicated that it had distributed instructions on how to deal with any suspected case of Covid 19 virus in schools and on the required preventive measures, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization. To date, no infection with Coronavirus has been confirmed among students, and UNRWA will deal with any case that appears transparently and will take the required preventive and health measures at that time
UNRWA indicated that it is making every effort to ensure that its services, especially health, are not affected by the agency's financial crisis. She confirmed that it is currently signing contracts with hospitals for the year 2021, including government hospitals and private hospitals, including hospitals that provide treatment for Covid 19 patients UNRWA indicated that it is providing the necessary beds for patients in these hospitals if necessary
Needs analysis and scenario planning Needs analysis After the explosion, several humanitarian agencies among which the Lebanese Red Cross initiated rapid assessments to identify the key priorities and quantify the needs and existing vulnerabilities. One secondary review published by ACAPS2  ( Assessment Capacities Project )  on August 12, highlights the profiles of the affected areas in Greater Beirut where there is a mix of poor underserved and densely populated neighbourhoods  ( e.g., Karantina, Karm el Zeitoun ) , other higher class modern areas  ( e.g., Saifi, Down Town )  in addition to residential and commercial hubs with restaurants, cafes, art galleries etc.  ( e.g., Mar Mkhayel, Gemmayzeh ) .
Vulnerabilities identified through this assessment are the following  ( as per the most updated results covering 29,560 assessments till Oct.27 ) : • 4.4% of the assessed households have pregnant or lactating women • 11% of the assessed households have physical or mental disability • 10% of the assessed households have disaster caused disability • 54% were reported as female headed household As for prevalence of chronic illness, 58% of households reported having at least one member with chronic illness. According to another assessment by HelpAge International, that was conducted in a number of neighborhoods close to the explosion site, major health concerns reported by households included mental health  ( 26% ) , respiratory problems  ( 11% )  and chronic diseases  ( 30% )  chronic diseases are a particular concern for older people  ( 36% ) . Furthermore, 54% head of households self reported chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. 45% also stated
This negatively impacts operations and payments to suppliers and their staff. The general population also suffers because of this challenge
As for prevalence of chronic illness, 58% of households reported having at least one member with chronic illness. According to another assessment by HelpAge International, that was conducted in a number of neighborhoods close to the explosion site, major health concerns reported by households included mental health  ( 26% ) , respiratory problems  ( 11% )  and chronic diseases  ( 30% )  chronic diseases are a particular concern for older people  ( 36% ) . Furthermore, 54% head of households self reported chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc. 45% also stated
difficulties in accessing medication. Looking ahead, the initial analysis indicates that interrupted access to essential health services and supplies of medicines are and will remain critical needs.
Several hospitals are damaged and/or inaccessible and were already stretched due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. When it comes to the physical damage in the households, results from LRC assessment show that 28% of the assessed households have collapsed or damaged balconies, 48% have minor damage, closable and repairable, and 64% have broken and shattered glass. Moreover, 8% of households so far have reported having unacceptable toilet conditions  ( un functional ) .
It is also important to note that household damages especially unsealed windows and doors also constitute protection risks and were concerning for 90% of women and 87% of older people as it affected their sense of safety in their homes, according to HelpAge assessment.
The ability to sustain services to communities all over Lebanon is also considered a risk especially if the scenario of having multiple crisis takes place  ( insecurity, covid 19, and economic crisis ) .
Finally, the socio economic status of the surveyed households was captured through the questions on income and savings. 37% of the households assessed mentioned that they had no source of income and 80% have exhausted their savings  ( as stated in OCHA Flash Appeal ) . This is a snapshot of the reality, noting that after the explosion many people have lost possessions, business premises both large and small, and hence their livelihoods, at a moment when the economic situation for the majority of Lebanese, as well as for Palestine and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, is desperate.
There are 3 different currency conversion rates i.e., official rate, bank rate and unofficial rate. The official rate of LBP against USD is 1,510, while the bank rate is 3,900 however the commodities in market are sold at unofficial rate which fluctuated between 6,500 to 8,800 LBP during last two months. In order to keep cash assistance relevant and to maintain the value of money, the LRC decided to deliver cash assistance in USDs through Banque Libano Française. In addition, many organizations as well as the general population have been restricted in accessing their money, present in local bank accounts, allowing only small amounts to be withdrawn.
LRC has actively engaged banks, seeking a viable solution for this issue especially after the blast and to ensure the availability of funds  ( USD )  for the successful implementation of cash based assistance.
The committee discussed the rumors circulating on social media about injuries in schools among students and called on parents to avoid broadcasting such news and obtain information from its official sources
Increased protection risks among vulnerable population, especially with the deteriorating economic situation which might increase rates of child labour, gender based violence, and sexual exploitation in the affected communities. Therefore, there is a need for strong emphasis on Protection, Gender and Inclusion  ( PGI )  in the response to ensure it is mainstreamed across the sectors at LRC in addition to effective coordination mechanism with all humanitarian actors and functioning protection referral pathway.
In October, the Lebanese Army Forces  ( LAF )  announced the launch of their cash assistance in the form of a one off payment in local currency LBP by the LAF to households, based on the assessed damage  ( only )  by the LAF. This cash assistance is considered compensation for shelter damages according to the degree of damage, the total amount of HH's assisted and the CASH payment is not known at the time writing. We are anticipating some confusion among families as many may prefer receiving one installment from the LAF directly instead of the already planned support of organizations who are offering different modalities of support, such as a staggered payment approach or lesser overall amounts. A risk of duplication is also present, in case of weak coordination at national level, between the LAF and all humanitarian actors. LRC senior management are following up closely on this matter with the LAF and will highlight any potential risk.
Programmes and operations prevent and respond to sexual  and gender based violence and other forms of violence especially against children.
Protection, Gender and Inclusion People reached: 105,600 Male: Female: Outcome 1: Communities become safer and more inclusive through meeting the needs and rights of the most vulnerable.
UNRWA indicated that there are some families whose members have died, refusing to admit that the death was caused by Covid 19 disease. The agency stressed that Covid 19 disease is not a shameful or flawed matter, and it is not permissible to conceal the injury for what is in the interest of the individual and society.
During the meeting, UNRWA clarified that the total number of people infected with Covid 19 among Palestinian refugees since the beginning of the crisis reached 3208 cases as of December 9. The number of active cases on this date reached 350 and the number of deaths 124 since the beginning of the crisis, most of them were elderly and people with chronic diseases
With regard to the vaccine for the Coronavirus, UNRWA indicated that the United Nations is working with the Lebanese authorities to ensure the provision of vaccines to all those in need in Lebanon in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. First priority will be given to health personnel, people with chronic diseases and the elderly
The Committee renewed its call for everyone in the Palestinian camps and gatherings to fully adhere to preventive measures, especially physical spacing, putting on masks and avoiding gatherings because the danger has become imminent and it affects everyone
In a stark interview with Sky News, Dr Firas Abiad said the government decision to relax coronavirus restrictions over a few fateful days at Christmas and New Year has led to a huge increase in cases and deaths over the past few weeks.
He allowed our cameras into the casualty department and the intensive care unit of the Rafic Hariri University Hospital in Beirut to see the pressure he and his staff are under.
It's clear that those were catastrophic  [ decisions ]  and what has happened is they've thrown the whole healthcare system of the country into a major abyss," said Dr Abiad.
Under intense pressure from businesses, they allowed nightclubs, bars and restaurants to open at 50% capacity while urging people to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
On the other side of the city, we're given access to the Lebanese Red Cross coordination centre. In a well organised control room, a team of volunteers is juggling telephone calls from patients' families with radio calls to the ambulance teams on the ground.
In addition to the financial aid, LRC has provided food parcels, hygiene kits, primary healthcare services, blood units and ambulance services to more than 200,000 persons since the 4thof August.
Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars
Oxygen tanks and concentrators are in high demand, with a list of suppliers shared online by Lebanon's Medical Equipment Importers Syndicate. But as fear surged across the country, so did sales of these machines.
The syndicate's president, Salma Assi, said that almost all their sales are made to hospitals and clinics, but under the current circumstances they are witnessing an increase in demand from a distressed population.
Assi told MEE: “Seventy percent of people bought them just to have them on standby at home. They are taking those machines away from people who need them.' She is now asking companies to only lease their remaining stock until more arrives.
The devaluation of the local currency by around 80 percent makes these machines extremely expensive, but Assi said there is “no other choice,' with skyrocketing shipping fees and the fact that this equipment is not subsidised by the country's Central Bank.
The families were selected after the assessment of more than 30,000 households, and based on specific vulnerability criteria such as families having difficulties in meeting their most urgent needs, people with special needs, families with damaged or destroyed apartments, injuries, problems in accessing healthcare and/or medicine, single female headed household and age considerations. In coordination with other humanitarian organizations and to avoid duplication of efforts, the LRC focuses its relief efforts on the following areas: Achrafieh, a part of Bourj Hammoud, Mdawar, Rmeil, Saifi, Bachoura, Zkak el Blat.
As a response to the 4thof August Beirut Port Explosion, the LRC committed to provide direct financial assistance of 300 USD per months, for a period of 7 months, to at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable affected families. This basic assistance is meant to help the families address their priority needs such as food, medication, winterization and healthcare. It is not meant to replace assistance for repairing damaged houses.
Until the 15thof November 2020, LRC had received a total of 27.1 million USD  ( confirmed and received donations )  in contributions from individuals, groups and companies, to respond to this crisis. 80% of these funds will be used to provide direct financial assistance to the families affected by the explosion, and 20% will be used to respond to the COVID19 pandemic and to sustain the vital free services that are provided to the population across Lebanon, mainly ambulance services and blood transfusion services.
20.5 million USD have already been committed to support the 9,800 families over 7 months, with more families being added as they are identified. LRC will continue doing assessments for until the end of the year to reach the maximum number of vulnerable families.
In its efforts to be as transparent and accountable to donors, partners and the population, the Lebanese Red Cross has also committed to an external financial audit, which will cover the period from the 4thof August 2020 until the end of the relief efforts in the 3rdquarter of 2021. The report will be published on LRC's websitewww.redcross.org.lband will be accessible to the public.
The implications of this disaster are further exacerbated by the multiple crises the country is currently witnessing starting with the refugees' crisis since 2011 and most recently the economic crisis, COVID 19 pandemic and civil unrest/security incidents.
The Lebanese Red Cross  ( LRC )  was established in 1945 as auxiliary to the government and is the primary provider for ambulance care and blood transfusion services in Lebanon  ( free of charge services ) . LRC is also known for providing other deliveries like medico social and disaster management services. The number of individuals supported is around 1 million annually through the existing network of over 12,000 employees and volunteers.
medication based on need. In addition, psycho social support services were provided to those affected by the blast to address the traumatic psychological effects  ( grief, panic attacks or even suicidal ideation ) .
Refugees and migrant workers living in severely damaged areas have become homeless. Refugees are sleeping on the street, as their homes are uninhabitable and no other shelters are available to relocate to temporarily or permanently. They tend to be excluded from damage assessment and relief assistance.
Host communities are witnessing rising tension among residents, in addition to discrimination non Lebanese. Host communities have expressed their frustration with the absence of State support while they see continuous assistance from UN agencies and CSOs funnelled to Syrian refugees.
Residents' injuries have sometimes led to a job loss. This “double loss' conflates several layers of hardship. While people are generally grappling with a severe economic crisis, healthcare expenses to treat injuries constitute a burden heavier than usual, on top of difficult living conditions. The problem is exacerbated when those injured victims are additionally penalized with job loss due to their temporary incapacity to work, and their recovery from this double loss seems unmanageable.
PAGEPAGE Some residents who have lost their homes, had also lost their jobs prior to the explosion due to the economic meltdown, or they have lost their jobs and source of income after the explosion. Consequently, these people are facing high levels of hardship