nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
All positive cases still under health care are people who were repatriated: 61 are in Damascus, four in the Damascus countryside province, and two in Suweida. This week was the first time positive cases were recorded in the Suweida province.Since February, the number of people who were quarantined has reached 9,478, although only 1,440 are still in that situation.
Populations of concern: All groups are susceptible. However, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions are particularly at risk; as are vulnerable IDP and refugee populations and healthcare workers with inadequate personal protective equipment  ( PPE )
Of the cases announced to date by the MoH, 69 are reported to be healthcare workers, the majority in Damascus. As of 10 August, the MoH has reported approximately 21,070 tests have been performed in laboratories in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates
As detailed above, the GoS committed to establish laboratories in all 14 governorates. The increased capacity and decentralization of testing, including in NES, continues to be a priority for WHO to support.
In NWS, individual crossing to and from Turkey remains restricted while humanitarian and commercial deliveries are authorized.
WHO also continues to provide technical support for the MoH COVID 19 Dynamic Infographic Dashboard for Syria in Arabic, and MOH established their dashboard for COVID 19 which includes the status of isolation and quarantine facilities.
UN agencies, specific sectors and partners continue awareness raising activities during existing programmes  ( such as distributions )  and/or as separate initiatives, including through social media campaigns. UNFPA also continues to conduct awareness raising in its reproductive health clinics and mobile teams in 13 governorates.
With a total budget of EUR 2,024 million, the SRTF seeks to support health service providers with the equipment and medical staff needed to confront the threat of the spread of COVID 19. This intervention is expected to directly benefit about 51,276 patients and positively affect the lives of about 1,950,000 residents of the targeted communities in Ar Raqqa Governorate.
In As Sweida, a new awareness campaign targeting university campuses commenced, utilizing UNICEF supported youth volunteers. In other areas, UNICEF's support to utilizing entertainment for children continued, as did outreach in Homs and Hama governorates. Activities included, small group awareness sessions inside health centres, markets, and with doctors and religious leaders.
The MoH has also announced 64 fatalities – an increase of 29 since the last report – and 417 recoveries. Of the cases, 105 cases were announced as imported and 203 as a secondary case  ( exposure/contact with a known case ) . According to available MoH data, nearly 24 per cent of cases presented as severe/critical requiring hospitalization, including, in some cases, oxygenation or mechanical ventilation in ICU units.
According to the eleventh round of a COVID 19 rapid assessment released, the proportion of respondents who would ‘stay home' as the ‘main course of action' has remained static, with respondents from 51 per cent of sub districts suggesting that they would stay home as the main course of action.
WHO continues to bolster PPE supplies in Syria, with a focus on protecting health workers. To date, WHO has delivered more than 2.5 million PPE items, including surgical masks, gloves, reusable heavy duty aprons, gowns, headcovers,alcohol hand rubs, medical masks, goggles and coveralls, and alcohol hand rubs.
[ September 2020, Syria ]  Compared to February 2020  ( before the COVID 19 related governmental measures ) , prices of all COVID 19 related items skyrocketed. By September 2020, plastic gloves had recorded the highest increase of 398 percent, while soap recorded the lowest increase of 150 percent.
Health actors operating in NES continue to advocate for the enforcement of such measures by local authorities, particularly following the total relaxation of the lockdown at the beginning of June. With COVID 19 likely to remain a significant risk a long period of time, “COVID proofing' the economy and society remains critical in helping avert the imposition of more stringent measures, including a total lockdown, at a later stage.
Today, as part of the SRTF's intervention, "Emergency Response for COVID 19 in Ar Raqqa**", the SRTF announced the delivery of medical and laboratory equipment to combat the spread of COVID 19 in the governorate
In the reporting period, UNICEF also provided PPE to hospitals in Damascus and Rural Damascus, including 77,500 surgical masks, 4,850 hands sanitizers, 7,200 disposable non woven surgical caps, and 1,550 boxes of 100 glove pairs.
The delivery included 20 artificial respirators with beds, as well as 140 medical beds and associated supplies, a laboratory analysis device, and other laboratory equipment and supplies. Additionally, medicines, sterilization materials, and personal protective equipment were delivered. Intervention activities are ongoing with rehabilitation works in a major hospital and the establishment of four community isolation centers, as well as seven examination and temporary isolation points that will be operational during the next few days.
In NWS  ( as of 26 June ) , recommendations regarding the use of non medical  ( fabric/cloth )  facemasks and messages regarding the necessity of the continued application of COVID 19 preventive measures were finalized and disseminated based on recent WHO guidance. Both messages were developed by the RCCE and IPC working groups. These messages were distributed to the awareness raising teams to be shared with community members, and were posted on Telegram groups. The message related to fabric facemasks was also announced in the past Humanitarian Information Sharing Meeting in Arabic  ( HISMA )  meeting to reach non health actors.
To date, UNICEF has supported light rehabilitation of WASH systems in 15 quarantine and isolation facilities across the country, including Al Hol, with plans to rehabilitate WASH facilities at a new isolation centre in Damascus underway. As previously reported, additional light rehabilitation of WASH facilities was also completed in the Dweir quarantine centre.
As of May 2020, a total of 189 online consultations were provided through the mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  helpline.
Four cases of COVID 19 have been identified in northwest Syria, with the first positive result recorded in Bab Al Hawa on 9 July. Of the four cases, two are in the Idleb area and two in northern Aleppo governorate, and all four patients are health professionals. Contact tracing was activated upon the return of the first positive result from the polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  test on 9 July
Protection issues are reportedly on the rise as the situation for people in northwest Syria grows more desperate, with increasing psychosocial stress, poverty and lack of employment opportunities compounded by the effects of COVID 19 related limitations. Significant increases in different types of gender based violence  ( GBV )  are being reported, particularly incidences of domestic violence such as marital rape, physical and emotional violence and denial of resources, with girls and women with disabilities and pregnant women especially vulnerable
The COVID 19 outbreak and economic downturn could potentially cause a further deterioration of the nutrition situation during the second half of 2020 attributed to dysfunctional markets, limited livelihoods opportunities, inflation, low purchasing power, increasing food insecurity, and disruption of access to health and WASH services.
Sharp decrease in people's purchasing power. This has consequent negative impact on shops and businesses  ( compounding impacts of COVID 19 related restrictions ) . The number of people in need of assistance is rising, creating new gaps in the humanitarian response.
Some 12 million people have been reached by television and radio awareness campaigns and printed IEC materials. Over six million people have been reached through social media, which partners continue to actively utilize for awareness raising. Direct awareness raising through teams at distributions and door to door is continuing, as is engagement of religious leaders in mosques, and with church networks
Response: 1,376 people were employed through the creation of short term work opportunities, in light rehabilitation works of road and drainage systems or in COVID 19 awareness raising campaigns.
UNHCR reported 2,131 outreach volunteers reached approximately 20,052 people across 13 governorates on awareness raising. Child protection partners also continued to incorporate COVID 19 awareness in their responses, including for students at national examination accommodation centers. In addition, UNICEF provided IEC materials specific on key recommended practices during national immunization days and provided support to workshops at primary healthcare centers to implement awareness raising.
• Recommendations were provided to ERL partners for mitigating the risk of COVID 19 transmissions while implementing ERL activities. • A specific guidance note on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the COVID 19 response, in ERL activities and in general was developed by an ERL Cluster partner and shared with other ERL partners.
As a result, many Syrians have adopted negative coping strategies, such as purchasing food on credit, relying on cheaper or less preferred foods, limiting portion sizes, and restricting adult food consumption to allow children to eat.
Training in IPC and use of PPE also continued. WHO supported a further four workshops on IPC measures in Damascus, with 100 healthcare workers trained on triage, IPC/PPE measures and case management for SARI cases when COVID 19 is suspected
Health workers still lack sufficient personal protective equipment and several facilities have suspended operations due to a lack of capacity and staff falling sick from the coronavirus, he said.
o Restoration of essential services and basic infrastructure to prioritise activities that would support the preventive and curative health response to COVID 19, including rehabilitation of health centres and facilities, retrofitting of designated quarantine facilities, equipping of isolation centres, waste management, restoration of water and sanitation services and provision of energy to these facilities, in close coordination with other sectors and local governance structures.
WHO is supporting a designated COVID 19 hospital in Idleb city with a capacity of 10 ICU beds, 10 ventilators, and the required ICU equipment to provide specialized care services; allowing for confirmation of COVID 19 infection patients with severe symptoms and those underlying chronic conditions  ( lung, heart, renal failure, or an immunocompromising condition ) . The hospital currently has an inpatient medical section with a capacity of 15 hospital beds for severe COVID 19 cases not requiring ICU intervention.
Points of Entry Status: On the 3 September, the SA announced that people who are originally from NES  ( proof required )  who want to return or visit their communities will be permitted to cross into NES via POE from GoS areas without any restrictions.
On 20 April, NGOs opened the first phase  ( 60 beds )  of a 120 bed hospital in a repurposed factory building outside Al Hasakeh. Due to lack of demand, the hospital has been closed, but can quickly reinstated should circumstances necessitate.
To date, the Syrian MoH has reported 847 people with COVID 19. Of these, Damascus reported the highest number of cases  ( 463 ) , followed by Rural Damascus  ( 181 ) ; Aleppo Governorate  ( 41 ) ; Quneitra Governorate  ( 40 ) ; Lattakia  ( 36 ) ; AsSweida Governorate  ( 28 ) ; Homs Governorate  ( 25 ) ; Dar'a Governorate  ( 12 ) ; Tartous Governorate  ( 11 ) ; as well as Hama Governorate  ( 10 ) .
WHO continues to bolster PPE supplies in Syria, with a focus on protecting health workers. In the reporting period, WHO delivered more than 29,000 PPE to MoH hospitals and in NES. This included 438 coveralls, 500 N95 masks, 1,300 medical masks, 14,950 gloves, 470 gowns, 90 goggles, 439 coveralls and 2,980 alcohol hand rubs
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ]  Lastly, in terms of communication channels, television continues to be reported as the most widely used  ( 92% of respondents )  and trusted source of information, with ‘word of mouth'  ( 84% of respondents )  the second most mentioned means of receiving information about COVID
Additionally, disruption of commercial and airfreight services due to the closure of airports in KRI until at least 22 May have left partners unable to mobilize pipeline capacity at short notice, although over recent weeks some cargo shipments have been received. While partners continue to negotiate access to bring supplies into NES, they face challenges in accessing global markets to procure supplies due to their relatively limited size and centralized supply chain response mechanisms that are predominantly UN centric.
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ] The limited adjustment to behaviour among these groups  whether wearing face coverings, not shaking hands, not eating communally or implementing screening protocols outside public buildings  has contributed to low risk perception and complacency among the population
Also as previously detailed, WASH sector partners continue to deliver increased quantities of soap and hygiene kits. In the reporting period, UNICEF in collaboration with SARC continued distribution of family hygiene kits in areas of Idleb governorate, including 3,250 people in Abo Al Dohur, and an additional 12,092 people in Sinjar
In addition, UNICEF continue support to water trucking, including 800 m3 daily to IDPs in Eastern Ghouta, an increase of 200 m3 daily to five camps in northern rural Aleppo to support increased hand washing, and 1,000m3 daily to Al Hol and Al Hasakeh city
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ]  RCCE challenges: As mentioned, adherence to personal preventative measures remains low across NES, contributing to a ripe environment for widespread transmission. There are multiple factors which are contributing to low risk perception on COVID 19 and limited adherence to personal preventative measures
WHO has established the Supply Chain Coordination Cell to improve information management and coordination to support strategic guidance, operational decision making, and overall Supply Chain monitoring
Training in IPC and use of PPE also continued. WHO supported eight one day workshops targeting 136 trainees at 79 primary health care facilities in Damascus, Rural Damascus and Deir ez Zor on triage, IPC/PPE, case definition and referral pathways. In addition, 100 health care workers were trained on triage, IPC/PPE measures and case management for SARI cases when COVID 19 is suspected through workshops at four Ministry of Higher Education university hospitals in Damascus.
Access: Movement restrictions remain in place across Northeast Syria, with activities being adapted to comply with restrictions while maintaining response capacity. Although partners have continued to face ad hoc challenges with the movement of staff and supplies, procedures communicated by authorities inside Northeast Syria have gradually become clearer, with more consistent enforcement across different areas.
WASH partners further supported health awareness teams to conduct orientation sessions at the accommodation centres and provided relevant IEC materials. WHO provided sanitizers, PPE, and 92 infrared thermometers, while UNFPA provided dignity kits.
Fears of a possible COVID 19 outbreak following a spike in cases across North East Syria, coupled with reduced humanitarian access since the beginning of the year due to the restriction in cross border points, has reduced the capacity of operational health facilities by 40%.
From January to May alone, the UNSC authorization allowed nearly 6,800 trucks to transport UN food, nutrition, shelter, and WASH assistance from Turkey to northwest Syria through Bab al Hawa and Bab al Salama. The nearly 1,800 trucks that utilized the crossings in May mark the highest recorded monthly figure since the UN cross border aid operation began in 2014, underscoring the volume of need. The majority of cross border assistance is emergency food support, reaching an estimated 1.3 million people in northwest Syria each month, the UN reports.
Coverage: most food security activities are ongoing, and the agriculture response has largely resumed following the Syrian Authorities' decision to waive curfew restrictions on farmers and agricultural workers.
Both crossings into northwest Syria play important roles in delivering assistance. While the transshipment capacity of Bab al Salama is approximately one half of Bab al Hawa's, Bab al Salama crossing provides direct humanitarian access to an area of northern Aleppo Governorate with a high number of IDPs. The Bab al Salama crossing enables the UN to provide assistance to an estimated 1.3 million people in Aleppo, more than 60 percent of whom are displaced, the UN reports.
In Syria, 1,677 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported by the MoH to date: four in Deir ez Zor; 15 in Al Hasakeh; 29 in Dar'a; 38 in Hama; 63 in Quneitra; 73 in Tartous; 76 in As Sweida; 134 in Homs; 154 in Lattakia; 210 in Aleppo; 237 in Rural Damascus; and 644 in Damascus. In total, 1,069 new cases have been announced since the last report.
[ 22 Oct 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 263 | Total cases: 3761 | New tests: 844 | Total tests: 20607| New recoveries: 37 | Total recoveries: 1488 | Total active cases: 2239 | New deaths: 0 | Total deaths: 21
An estimated 4.6 million children and pregnant and lactating women are in need of nutrition assistance, including an estimated 3.7 million people in acute need. The UN estimates that approximately 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line defined by the World Bank as living on less than $2 per day as of June 2020, compared to an estimated 80 percent of Syrians prior to the COVID 19 and economic crises.
UN cross border shipments continue and have been amplified since March while commercial trucks  ( used by most NGOs )  were partially impacted. The two crossings between the Idleb area and northern Aleppo governorate to Afrin  ( Deir Ballut and Ghazzawiyeh )  remain open for civilian movement and humanitarian shipments and staff with screening measures in place. Movement remains restricted between Afrin, Azaz, Jarablus and Albab, while the crossings to NES and to GoS controlled areas continue to be closed for all movements and commercial shipments.
Food prices continued to increase countrywide during June with the SYP devaluation, reaching the highest recorded levels since 2011. According to WFP, the price of basic food items increased by nearly 210 percent countrywide from June 2019 to June 2020, or more than 20 times higher than pre crisis levels.
In north east Syria  ( NES ) , the lockdown/ curfew completely ended as of 15 June. This follows significant relaxations of the curfew in previous weeks and limited adherence since the end of April. However, the Executive Council of NES Self Administration has announced a new decree imposing movement restrictions, which was to enter into force on 13 July, foreseeing the closure of all crossings into NES without exceptions
WFP continues to track the increase in food prices, modifying programs accordingly to meet the needs of vulnerable populations across Syria. With USAID/BHA support, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance sufficient for approximately 4.3 million people across Syria including 1.3 million people in northwest Syria during May.
We need to act quickly to make sure we can limit the outbreak while minimizing the negative impact of the control measures on the children as well – such as isolation measures or the closure of education facilities.
Since July, the epidemiological situation in Syria has rapidly evolved. In July, 532 cases were confirmed, compared to 157 cases in June and 79 cases in May. At the time of writing in August, authorities have confirmed more than 920 cases. Given the limited testing across Syria, it is therefore possible that asymptomatic and mild cases are going undetected and the actual number of cases may far exceed official figures.
Direct awareness raising through teams at distributions and door to door continues, as does UNICEF's support of the Ministry of Awqaf to engage 1,000 religious leaders working in 3,600 mosques. Church networks are also being utilized, with 14 educational and religious centers and nine volunteer groups mobilized to engage in awareness efforts, including through 29 existing church WhatsApp groups.
WFP reached an estimated 196,500 people in northwest Syria with emergency food assistance through ready to eat rations, portable food rations designed to meet the food needs of a family of five for five days. In partnership with UNICEF and the UN Population Fund  ( UNFPA ) , WFP food assistance distributions also included soap for handwashing to mitigate the spread of COVID 19. During the Brussels Conference, USAID/BHA announced nearly $156 million in additional funding to WFP for the response inside Syria
As previously reported, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor  ( MoSAL ) , more than 320,000 people registered for the National Campaign for Emergency Social Response for assistance due to work lost as a result of COVID 19 preventive measures. Of these, 91 per cent are daily labourers, 10.9 per cent are older persons, and 8 per cent are peoplewith disabilities. In early June, MoSAL reported one time payments of SYP 100,000 had been disbursed to 5,000 people; and later, on 24 June, announced a second tranche of payments to 18,731 people would occur on an unspecified date
The USAID/BHA partnership with UNICEF contributed to reaching more than 20,200 pregnant and lactating women and children ages five years and younger with micronutrients and screened more than 36,000 people for acute malnutrition during May
The crossing of students to sit ninth grade exams has continued to be facilitated by the humanitarian community since 9 August. To date, 10,229 students have reportedly crossed into Aleppo  ( 3,054 )  and Ar Raqqa  ( 7,175 )  from non government controlled areas to sit their exams. Tartous and Lattakia ports remain operational, with precautionary measures in place which have slowed down operations, including mandatory sterilization procedures, and minimum staff.
By the time a ceasefire in Idlib was brokered between Turkey and Russia in March, which provided a temporary respite to some extent, for civilians to recover from months of bombing and displacement, COVID 19 had already been declared a global pandemic. This proved deeply problematic for Syria, whose medical infrastructure was decimated and severely under resourced after years of living under siege by the regime and the Russian military.
Over the reporting period, WHO delivered a further 7,500 IEC materials to public and private health centers in Tartous. As detailed in prior reports, UN agencies, specific sectors and partners continue awareness raising activities during existing programmes  ( such as distributions )  and/or as separate initiatives, including through social media campaigns.
In NES, awareness campaigns and trainings of partner staff, including in camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters are ongoing. In the reporting period, UNICEF trained 14 third party monitors and 15 community volunteers at the Al Hol IDP camp on RCCE. The RCCE committee also supported contact tracing training for 30 volunteers, while a rumour tracking system was established with two anti rumour messages aimed at dispelling widespread myths and misconceptions disseminated to the camp population via WhatsApp.
Thousands of families cannot return to their homes because the regime's forces have captured their hometowns. These same familiesare finding themselves at huge risk as COVID 19 affects Syria; having to live in camps that are at four times their full capacity, and lacking hygiene, clean water and basic healthcare
In the reporting period, WHO supported the 25 active surveillance teams to conduct 450 visits, in addition to active finding of suspected cases. In addition, WHO further supported a session for health worker teams on case definition and prevention measures.
In northern Syria, USAID/BHA is supporting several NGO partners to provide emergency water trucking services for IDP camps, rehabilitate key WASH infrastructure, and distribute emergency hygiene items to newly displaced persons. NGO partners are harmonizing the activities with appropriate COVID 19 messaging, preparedness, and prevention efforts.
Damascus: since the relaxation of COVID 19 restrictions, partners have reported increased access to operational areas. However, insecurity in some locations continues to affect access, such as in Dara in southern Syria, which has delayed implementation of food security and livelihoods projects by some partners.
More recently, the economic shock, the COVID19 pandemic and country measures adopted to contain the spread of the virus, while necessary from a public health perspective, have greatly exacerbated the vulnerabilities these children and young people face in terms of their access to education, health and protection, including civil documentation.
As the UN supports national preparedness and response in Syria, the specific country context poses considerable challenges. This includes: a fragile health system lacking sufficient personnel; infrastructure and existing essential equipment; insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure; significant existing vulnerable populations reliant on humanitarian assistance; challenges accessing certain areas including due to ongoing hostilities; challenges for humanitarian workers to move freely to support and implement humanitarian programmes due to preventive measures including border restrictions; challenges procuring supplies including due to border restrictions, a deteriorating economy and competition for local supplies, as well as sanctions. As the response expands, there is a need to both increase and decentralize testing, in order to accommodate more timely diagnosis of more samples from a greater range of geographical locations including NES.
As of August 16th, there were 51confirmed cases of COVID 19 in northwest Syria.
As preventive measures have been lifted across Syria, the RCCE is working with partners to continue to engage the public on the ongoing risks of COVID 19 and to continue to promote behavioral initiatives such as hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing and voluntary quarantine/isolation where feasible and appropriate. While cumulative RCCE efforts to date have reached an estimated more than 12.5 million people, survey information, in addition to anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk perception across Syria is very low and there has been considerable lack of adherence to individual preventive measures observed in some communities.
For COVID 19, there remains a need to secure personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  and hygiene items for community health workers  ( CHW )  and volunteer teams. Hygiene items such as soap will be distributed during COVID 19 awareness sessions. The risk of contamination during door to door awareness raising activities is high.
During the reporting period, a new public awareness campaign was launched by the MoH and MoI supported by WHO and UNICEF aimed at promoting specific behaviours and practices including regular handwashing, social distancing, physical distancing, use of face masks and reporting of symptoms to health facilities. Messages will be conveyed through a range of mediums, including radio, TV and social media. The campaign also aims to de stigmatize COVID 19, reinforce home care for the elderly and provide communities with mental health and psychosocial support.
[ 9th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced that 50 new coronavirus cases have been registered in the country, and that 23 patients infected with the virus have been recovered while 3 others have passed away.
In response to the recent uptick in violence in northwest Syria, UNHCR and its partners conducted more than 21,500 protection interventions, reaching nearly 14,000 IDPs and host community members in eight sub districts of Aleppo 6 and Idlib, from June 8 to 21. Protection services included cash assistance for protection items, hygiene kit distributions, psychosocial support, and referrals to basic health and shelter services.
After earlier cases of COVID 19 among health workers in Al Hol Camp, the first reported case of COVID 19 of a resident of the camp was confirmed today, Save the Children can reveal, as the number of cases reported across North East Syria rises to over 100.
This situation has been no less exacerbated by the lacking response from theWorld Health Organisation  ( WHO )  to one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.
To improve planning and coordination of local and global procurement related to the COVID 19 response, an online needs assessment tool is available for partners to reflect current stock, pipeline and needs for PPEs and infection prevention and control  ( IPC )  kits.
International repatriation flights have not taken place since 16 July when 260 Syrian nationals arrived from Erbil in northern Iraq. In recent weeks, a reported 2,000 Syrian nationals residing in Lebanon have also reportedly returned through land crossings, mainly through the Maasna border point. On 16 August, the Government of Syria  ( GoS )  announced new entry requirements for individuals arriving from official border crossing points with Lebanon following presentation of a negative PCR certificate at the border. Tests must have been conducted within the past 96 hours at accredited laboratories in Lebanon. Those unable to present such documentation would be quarantined.
Since May 2019, State/PRM partner UNHCR has quadrupled its emergency support to IDPs and host community members in northwest Syria as of May 2020, despite COVID 19 related restrictions. During May, UNHCR supported nearly 202,000 IDPs and host community members in northwest Syria. UNHCR reached approximately 146,000 people with relief commodity kits containing blankets, kitchen items, mattresses, and soap, and an estimated 55,000 people with emergency shelter support or rehabilitation in northwest Syria.
In April, the Syrian Civil Defence  ( The White Helmets )  and Idlib'sHealth Directorate launched Volunteers Against Coronavirus, an initiative to organise and coordinate efforts to respond to the pandemic. Several civil society groups and volunteers have joined the initiative to help raise awareness, disinfect public spaces and promote protective measures such as wearing masks,staying at a distance, and ensuring hygiene among civilians, especially in displacement camps.
As detailed in previous reports, development, printing and distribution of information, education and communication  ( IEC )  materials in addition to awareness raising on social media, WhatsApp, radio and television channels, and direct community engagement/person to person, including during distributions and in mosques and churches is ongoing. Other channels, including through the Smart Card/Takamol application and online interactive quizzes, are also being utilized, with an estimated cumulative reach of approximately 12.5 million people. Direct awareness raising through teams at distributions and door to door continues, as does engagement at universities, of religious leaders in mosques, and with church networks.
[ 10th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Saturday that 57 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Syria , and that 36 persons infected with the virus have been recovered while 3 others have passed away.
After weeks of denial, the Syrian regime declared the first case of COVID 19 in its areas of control in late March.
Despite procurement delays due to COVID 19 mitigation measures, UNHCR also organized 14 transshipments through Bab al Hawa and Bab al Salama crossings in May, transporting approximately 27,500 relief commodity kits and 4,100 tents, which will support up to 162,100 people. From January to May 2020, UNHCR reached more than 1 million people with relief commodities and provided an estimated 580,000 people with shelter assistance in northwest Syria.
Northeast Syria: total funding gap is USD 6.7 million  ( HRP non COVID 19 related is USD 1 950 105 and COVID 19 related critical funding is USD 5 097 193 for 4 months.
In NES, awareness campaigns and trainings of partner staff, including in camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters are ongoing. In the reporting period, UNICEF trained 14 third party monitors and 15 community volunteers in Al Hol camp on RCCE. The RCCE Committee also supported contact tracing training for 30 volunteers, while a rumour tracking system has been established with two anti rumour messages aimed at dispelling widespread myths and misconceptions disseminated to the camp population via WhatsApp
The emergence of COVID 19 and the need for remote learning has added an additional layer of complexity to the education system, with a risk that some children, particularly the most vulnerable, will not come back once schools reopen. Refugee and stateless children, adolescents and youth, as well as those from internally displaced and returnee communities, are at great risk of exclusion and miss out on distance/homebased education, in particular children with disabilities and children from families challenged by extreme vulnerabilities, including poverty
If an outbreak of coronavirus were to extend into Assad's dungeons, thousands of lives would be put at risk, and the impact could be catastrophic.
[ 10th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  In a statement to SANA, the Ministry added that these numbers bring the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country to 4673 , and raise the number of the recoveries to 1271 and the number of deaths to 221.
As of 20 June, 62 swab samples  ( Hassakeh 3, Deir ez Zor 33, Raqqa 26 )  were collected in response to alerts received through the EWARN system, managed by a partner in Turkey. These samples were all been transferred to Idleb for testing  ( with one sample tested in Turkey ) . All samples were confirmed negative.
As previously reported, samples continue to be collected by RRTs and sent to the CPHL or regional laboratories in Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia with WHO support. In June at the time of writing, 2,581 samples had been collected from 12 governorates, including one case from Al Hasakeh and four from Deir Ez Zor.
Of the 571 emergency health kits delivered to date, over 70 per cent was delivered to health facilities in cross line areas. An additional 17.4 tons was delivered to other partners including SARC. Distribution of the remaining 33 tons covering more than 40 primary health care facilities is ongoing
Since the first cases were identified on 9 July, COVID 19 has disproportionately impacted health care workers, who comprise 23  ( 43% )  of all 54 identified cases reported by WHO.
Of these, six samples have confirmed as positive. One case was via MoH testing capacity in Damascus  ( having been identified through an alert through the EWARS network ) , two cases were via PCR testing capacity locally  ( both of which have since recovered, having recently received a negative PCR test result and positive antibody test result ) , while a further three cases were confirmed via positive antibody tests administered locally indicating a previous infection.
Many challenges, including disrupted health systems, shortages in medical personnel and supplies, testing and reporting, fragmented approaches and inconsistent mitigation measures across territory, economic strain.
• Inside Syria, two thirds of children are in public schools. However, the quality of education is affected by a lack of basic teaching and learning materials, unsafe spaces and teachers who are not trained in addressing learning challenges of children affected by psycho emotional stress or trauma. If we are to provide Syrian children with the skills to have a better future, we need to reinvest in schools and teachers to rebuild the education system.
Ten years of crisis, repeated attacks on health care, death and displacement of health care workers, and an increase in hostilities towards the end of 2019 have all posed significant challenges for the ability of the health system in northwest Syria to respond to COVID 19
As of 24 June, at least 142 swab samples  ( Hassakeh 114, Deir ez Zor 26, Raqqa 2 )  were collected in response to an undisclosed number of alerts received through the MoH/WHO EWARS system. The significant increase in the number of samples reported since the previous update is due to a reporting lag, and should not be interpreted as reflecting an increase in suspected cases in NES.
Although the number of children with COVID 19 remains very small, there is no question that the pandemic is having a serious impact on children. It is safe to say that every single child in the region has been impacted one way or another by the strict measures to control the spread of the virus.
Damascus: The HRP funding gap for partners operating from the Damascus hub including key UN agencies, FAO, WFP and UNRWA is USD 389 million. Of this, the WFP funding gap is USD 288 million while FAO and UNRWA have a funding gap of about USD 9 million and local NGOs a gap of USD 3million
During the reporting period, northwest Syria was impacted by intensified shelling south of the M4 highway, the continued depreciation of the SYP against the USD, and the spread of COVID 19.
In addition, sectors have completed an isolation centre in Al Hol. In Ar Raqqa, an isolation ward is being set up at the National Hospital, and a quarantine center at Hawari Bu Median school in Ar Raqqa city.
This has placed significant pressure on the already fragmented health infrastructure across the region  ( nearly 30% of health facilities are considered nonfunctional ) , including in Idleb and Aleppo governorates, which have been strained by years of crisis.
The impact has been double for vulnerable children including Syrian. This is manifested in emotionaldistress, particularly during prolonged periods of school closure and restricted movement, with increased parental anxieties and frustrations caused by social isolation and fears around livelihoods and financial difficulties, which exacerbate and increase protection risks within the family.
[ 11th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  The Ministry added in a statement to SANA that this brings the total number of Coronavirus cases in the country to 4718 , the number of recoveries to 1296 and the mortalities to 224.
As of 26 June, 89 swab samples  ( all in Al Hassakeh ) , an increase of 12 over the last two weeks, were taken by local authorities and transferred to Qamishli for testing. Of these 87 samples were confirmed as negative, with two samples coming back positive  ( on 29 April )
The densely populated Internally Displaced People  ( IDP )  camps in northwest and northeast Syria present a frightening scenario for the coronavirus to spread unabated due to the lack of medical infrastructure and supplies. Similarly, the approximately 100,000 Syrians locked away in government prisons and detention centers are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Further, International Medical Corps  ( IMC ) , in collaboration with SARC, conducted COVID 19 awareness sessions on disease prevention, COVID 19 symptoms and handling of suspected cases to 344 households in Deir Ez Zor Governorate benefiting 889 individuals. Additionally, in Mjed Shmeat IDP shelter, IMC distributed 170 bottles of hand sanitizer gel to 85 families.
The COVID 19 outbreak has increased the levels of stress and anxiety among children and adults, and has had a great impact on adolescents who feel isolated, as they have seen their connections with peers, so important at this age of transition, even more limited and curtailed than before the pandemicThe provision of age and gender appropriate MHPSS services has become even more crucial for people/communities to adapt and cope with the situation.
He stresses the critical work spearheaded by local health care workers to mobilize COVID 19 preparedness and response efforts in collaboration with the WHO Emergency Field Programme in Gaziantep, Turkey, and the coordination of the Turkey Hub Health Cluster's COVID 19 Taskforce, established in March 2020.
Even before there were cases identified in northwest Syria, health care workers were technically and logistically mobilizing local response efforts to combat COVID 19
o Not all the Points of Entries  ( PoE )  are functional in line with the northwest Syria COVID 19 preparedness and response plan  ( PRP ) . Only seven of the 13 cross border/crossline PoEs are operational. It is vital that all PoEs are on boarded to avoid importation COVID 19 into northwest Syria.
Fear, worry and stress is commonplace among children, adolescents and young people. Deprived from the traditional community support they enjoyed back home, it has led to significant long term mental health and psychosocial consequences among families. Children, adolescents and youth were identified as particularly at risk regarding MHPSS concerns
A substantial number of sentinel sites remain closed due to curfews, attacks, insecurity and various other constraints. Due to COVID 19 related restrictions  ( e.g. movement, social distancing etc. ) , in person trainings for health staff have mostly been replaced by virtual trainings.
HIHFAD worked closely with WHO to establish isolation and treatment centres for suspected cases of COVID 19, ensure access to proper personal protective equipment for health care workers across health facilities, and scale up training for community health workers to disseminate public health advice.
The poor nutrition situation is largely attributed to continued exposure of children and PLW to unsafe living conditions, diseases  ( including impacts of COVID 19 ) , suboptimal infant and young child feeding  ( IYCF )  practices, high maternal malnutrition, economic downturn, low purchasing power, poverty, food insecurity, family separations, poor care practices, early marriages, destruction of infrastructure causing limited access to health services, and inadequate sanitation and water supply.
As of 8 May, some 2,700 tests have been conducted by the Central Public Health Laboratory  ( CPHL )  in Damascus. Of the three fatalities in Government of Syria  ( GoS )  controlled areas, two were in Damascus and one in Rural Damascus.
Further in the reporting period, IMC in collaboration with SARC distributed 3,118 bottles of hand sanitizer to families at 32 IDP shelters in Al Hasakeh. Distributions are ongoing to cover 63 shelters overall. ADRA also distributed 667 sanitization kits in northern rural Homs for 3,335 individuals.
Leading training efforts for community health workers is another of Dr Altwaish's roles. “I provide 1 day trainings for community health workers to engage local communities in COVID 19 prevention efforts as well as provide them with the skills to train other non medical staff in how to distribute and disseminate these messages.'
Training in IPC and use of PPE also continued in the reporting period. WHO supported four workshops on IPC measures in Damascus, with 100 healthcare workers trained on patient safety, IPC measures, use of PPE and case management
In north west Syria, 58 cases were confirmed, as of 19 August, with the first death reported in Harim district in Idleb Governorate on 18 August
A record amount of US$127 million dollars has been generously contributed by 15 donors since the beginning of the year. As of 23 July, the 2020 Syria HRP remains underfunded with 31 per cent of the total requirement funded halfway through the year, similar to the level reported earlier in July.
UNICEF supported training for 72 health workers from a partner NGO in Aleppo, and training for a new partner in Ar Raqqa, with 36 health workers in total trained. INTERSOS further supported training for 51 health care workers from SARC in June
As of 7 May, there have been six reported cases in NES, including one death, two active cases and three recovered cases. These cases are all reportedly from the same cluster in Hasakeh city.
The UN remains concerned about the rising numbers of COVID 19 cases across Syria. As of this morning, the Syrian Ministry of Health has confirmed that 1,927 people tested positive, including 78 deaths and 445 recoveries.
An outbreak of COVID 19 in Al Hol camp is going to be challenging to control considering how overcrowded the camp is and how little access families have to water, personal hygiene items, tests and protective equipment, with more than 65,000 people living in the camp at the moment.
On 16 April, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean  ( EMRO )  shared information indicating that a 53 year old man from Al Hasakeh City who hadbeen admitted to Qamishli National Hospital on 27 March had died on 2 April. A test for the virus subsequently tested positive.
The protection of health care workers continues to be a priority for WHO and local implementing partners in northwest Syria.
UNDP continues to support municipalities in solid waste collection and removal activities. In Al Hasakeh 342 workers have been recruited to support solid waste removal and collection, and support to rehabilitation of wells and pumping stations in also continues.
WHO has also established three buyers consortia – a PPE Consortium, a Diagnostics Consortium, and a Clinical Care Consortium – to ensure that some critical supplies are reserved to meet the requests of countries most in need.
Attacks on health care – a hallmark of the conflict in Syria – have brought the number of health facilities down further and deprived civilians of basic access to medical care. Now, with COVID 19 on the rise, stigma and barriers to care have added new challenges for the health care workforce.
WHO continues to deliver case management trainings  ( resuscitation and ventilation management ) . In the reporting period, WHO support one workshop for 25 healthcare workers from six governorate.
The COVID 19 supply needs from all hubs have been shared with WHO EMRO for compilation and submission to the Global COVID 19 Supply Chain Task Force for consideration, a multi stakeholder body to coordinate demand, procurement and allocation of supplies for low  and middleincome countries
On 29 April, authorities in NES announced they had detected two further cases – a man and a woman – tested positive in Qamishli after reportedly coming in contact with the first individual after testing them through their own laboratory capacity – located in Qamishli with polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR ) . Further information available at the time of writing indicates that local authorities in NES have also confirmed an additional three cases through antibody   not PCR testing   who have since recovered
The RC/HC has also designated a dedicated Supply Chain Task Force Coordinator for within Syria who will oversee and validate related requests for Damascus based partners uploaded onto the system.
As of 11 May, 563 samples have been collected from Aleppo and Idleb governorates through the Early Warning, Alert and Response Network  ( EWARN )  system, and tested in a laboratory in Idelb. Of these, all tested negative. WHO and cluster partners will establish two additional labs in NWS, as well as continue to increase capacity at Idleb laboratory, in order to expand overall testing in NWS.
WHO in coordination with the Health Sector has developed an online COVID 19 Supplies Tracking System to monitor the items procured, distributed and in the pipeline in real time by health sector partners
To date, humanitarian partners have been informed by local authorities of 34 identified quarantine facilities and 50 isolation spaces in 13 governorates. At the central level, the MoH has announced 17 isolation centres are currently running, with a cumulative capacity of 681 beds, including 555 isolation beds, 129 ICU beds, and 100 ventilators. The 37 quarantine centres are reported to have 4,865 beds
At all PoEs, the MoH has stationed at least one ambulance with medical personnel. To date, WHO has supported screening efforts by providing PPE, infrared thermometers, guidance notes, registration forms and one thermal scanner camera.