nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ 24 December 2020   5 January 2021, GoS ]  Diesel fuel was the first commodity to be subsidized using the smart card method  ( where holders are authorized to buy a certain amount of a certain commodity at a reduced price during the year ) . The Syrian regime government has set a limit of 400 liters at the subsidized price, which in 2020 was 180 SYP per liter. However, our data shows that 20% of respondents do not have this card in the first place. This percentage includes Syrian Palestinians who did not receive this card at all. Most respondents indicated that the smart card has no significant positive impact on securing their basic needs; 39.7% expressed a moderate positive impact of the card. But we found it interesting that 39.3% said it actually has an adverse impact on their ability to secure basic needs.
[ 28th JUN, GoS ]  Director of Hasaka Water establishment, Mahmoud al Akla stressed  the need for the intervention of all parties and international organizations to stop the crime committed by the Turkish occupation against one million people who depend on  Alouk water station  as the only source of drinking water.
[ 9 May 2021, NES ]  More serious still is that some of the available water stations feed into others, called lift stations. For example, the al Jrafat Station feeds into the main Tabqa Water Station, and the Jaabar Station feeds the al Mahmoudli and al Tarkah Stations in the northern Tabqa countryside. The Shamseddin Water Station feeds the al Jarniyah and Tal Othman Stations northwest of Tabqa. This means that these stations, too, are impacted by the water level of the Euphrates Dam and go out of service alongside the mother stations that feed into them.
[ May 2021, NES ]  74% of CFPs in rural settings said community/family care for children/dependents would be available  ( vs. 67% in urban ) ; a higher percentage of CFPs from urban settings reported that family/community members would be available to help with the recovery process compared to CFPs in rural settings  ( 92% vs. 68% )
[ 9 May 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry added that the total number of coronavirus infections recorded in Syria till now has reached up to 23,379 of which 18,737 have recovered, while 1,657 have passed away.
[ November 9, NWS ]  According to Bakkour, “whoever can afford a mask in Idlib is wearing it because it has become trendy.' He added, “They remove it whenever they run into a relative or acquaintance on the street to kiss them.'
[ 7 May 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry added that the total number of coronavirus infections recorded in Syria till now has reached up to 23,256 of which 18166 have recovered, while 1,639 have passed away.
[ November 9, NWS ]  But while “changing social behavior is a complicated process,' Dr. Taleb said, “it is not enough only to give out awareness raising brochures. We first need to change people's beliefs around how dangerous the virus really is so that they receive the information that we're spreading positively.' “When an individual learns the magnitude of the danger, their behavior changes, and they start to implement precautionary measures more seriously,' Taleb added.
[ November 9, NWS ]  “Despite having experienced symptoms of the coronavirus more than once, I could not stay at home and isolate myself,' al Suweid toldSyria Direct, because “if I did, my children would have died of starvation instead of coronavirus.'
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents who are aware of COVID 19: Everyone 77%, Most 23%, About half 0%, A few 0% and Nobody 0%.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents with access to soap within the assessed settlements: Everyone 74%, Most 19%, About half 0%, A few 3% and Nobody 3%.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents who consider COVID 19 an important issue: Everyone 7%, Most 13%, About half 0%, A few 52% and Nobody 29%.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Reported reasons for difficulties in understanding COVID 19 information:  ( no difficulties reported ) .
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Reported proportion of residents aware of social distancing: Everyone 23%, Most 29%, About half 0%, A few 19% and Nobody 29%.
[ May 2021, NES ]  27% of CFPs in Al Hasakeh reported that they did not think the majority of members in their community were comfortable reporting symptoms if they thought they had COVID 19  ( 5% in Al, 17% in AR, 19% in Dez ) .
[ April 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average price of carrots increased by 14 percent m o m and by 230 percent y o y, reaching SYP 910/kg. Northeast Syria recorded the highest price at SYP 1,036/kg  ( up 23 percent m o m ) , followed by the middle region at SYP 1,002/kg  ( up 14 percent m o m ) . The southern region recorded the lowest price at SYP 721/kg  ( up 20 percent m o m ) , followed by northwest Syria at SYP 771/kg  ( up 32 percent m o m ) .
[ May 2021, NES ]  22% of female CFPs reported that members of their community were not comfortable reporting symptoms if they thought they had COVID 19, in comparison to 18% of male CFPs.
[ April 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national non skilled labour wage, representing construction, off loading and agricultural labour, averaged SYP 6,191/day  ( up seven percent m o m )  in April 2021. Moreover, the wage rate was 107 percent above its y o y level and 40 percent above levels recorded in October 2020
[ November 28, Syria ]  After almost ten years of a brutal civil war, economic catastrophe, rising poverty, the COVID 19 pandemic and now the fatal winter months – misery is compounded again and again in Syria, and the UK's decision to cut its aid budget will only add to the suffering of Syrians.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 1 | Symptoms only: CFPs in urban settings reported a higher rate of seeking medical care at 67%  ( vs. 52% in rural ) .
[ May 2021, NES ] General usage costs  ( resource being too expensive ) , resource affecting the ability to work, and the cost of transportation to medical facilities being unaffordable were cited by CFPs as the three main reasons for a lack of satisfaction at the available and used health facilities.
[ MAR 2021, NWS ]  At the community level, the Sarmada community in Idleb governorate received the largest number of displaced people, with around 1,700 movements, followed by 1,400 IDP movements received by the Shamarin community in Aleppo governorate. Idleb city center and Shekh Bahr community in Idleb governorate received round 800 IDP movements each while Marma Elhajar community in Aleppo governorate and the Ariha community in Idleb governorate each received around 600 IDP movements in March. These movements are estimated to mostly be incentivised by access to services and livelihoods.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 1 | Symptoms only: 88% of CFPs in Aleppo reported that community members sought medical care  ( vs. 47% in AH, 38% in AR, 70% in Dez ) ; CFPs in Al Hasakeh  ( 52% )  and Ar Raqqa  ( 61% )  reported higher rates of self isolation post symptoms, as opposed to seeking medical care
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 1 | Symptoms only: 81% of CFPs reported that families described their overall experience of seeking care for COVID 19 as good, and 43% reported that others were more likely to seek treatment as a result of hearing about their experience  ( 41% in AH, 58% in Al, 45% in AR, 36% in Dez ) .
[ MAR 2021, NWS ]  At the sub district level, the Dana sub district in Idleb governorate received the largest number of displaced people, with around 3,400 movements in March, followed the Maaret Tamsrin in Idleb and Raju sub districts in Aleppo governorate which received around 3,000 IDP movements each. The Azaz and The Sharan sub districts in Aleppo governorate also received some 2,300 IDP movements each. The Afrin and Bulbul sub districts in Aleppo governorate each received around 2,200 movements, while the Ma'btali subdistrict in Aleppo governorate received some 1,600 IDP movements.
[ MARCH, 2021, NWS, GoS ]  At the community level, the Kom Elwisseh   Marj Barghut community in Quneitra governorate received some 8,000 returns, the highest number of spontaneous return movements in March, while Aleppo city in Aleppo governorate received some 1,200 return movements. The Khan Shaykun, Jisr Ash Shugur and Tal Khanzir communities in Idleb governorate each received around 500 return movements, while the Sarja and Kansafra communities in Idleb each received around 400 return movements this month.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 2 | Hospitalisation: 21% of CFPs in Aleppo reported community members sought medical care immediately  ( vs. 10% in AH, 8% in AR, 8% in Dez ) .
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 2 | Hospitalisation: CFPs in urban settings reported a higher rate of seeking medical care at 22%  ( vs. 10% in rural ) ; 24% of CFPs from rural settings also reporting taking no action prior to hospitalisation.
[ 7 June 2021, NES ]  As of 7 June, authorities in northeast Syria  ( NE Syria )  have reported 18,036 COVID 19 cases, including 732 deaths. New daily cases have declined in NE Syria, which may be due in part to recent lockdown measures.
[ May 2021, GoS ]  While daily confirmed case numbers have decreased, concerning signs remain, including test positivity rates above 50 per cent in Homs, As Sweida and Tartous. Actual cases likely far exceed the number of confirmed cases due to limited testing throughout the country.
[ 28 June 2021, GoS ]  The sugar and rice price hike came just two days after the Ministry of Domestic Trade's director of consumer protection, Mohammed Marwan Bagh, said that he had proposed at the ministry to officially raise the price of sugar and rice on the smart card.
[ 15 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The financial hardship in Lebanon has damaged what was left of the Syrian economy and triggered the current currency devaluation, domestic economic mismanagement, profiteering, and sanctions have had a far greater impact overall. These factors have created a major disparity between the small elite ruling class and the rest of the population that actually has to endure the harsh and ever worsening financial difficulties.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Eastern Syria is currently experiencing drought conditions with several governorates reporting rainfall levels in 2020 2021 significantly lower than the long term average while many locations received no rainfall during critical months for crop development  ( January to March ) . In NE Syria, these conditions are being further compounded by the reduced rate of water flow in the Euphrates River, the main source of drinking water for an estimated 5.5 million people in Ar Raqqa, Aleppo and Deir ez Zor.
[ 4 April 2021, Overall Syria ]  Across the country heating solutions and fuel remain an urgent need.
[ November 27, Syria ]  The £2.9bn aid cut, of which about £2.8bn has already been made, combined with the focus on the coronavirus response, has also meant a significant decrease in funding to the UK's largest aid recipients, including Syria, which has seen a 56% drop in British aid this year. There are large falls – of 30% or more – to the world's poorest and most fragile countries, including Somalia and Afghanistan.
[ APR 2021, Overall Syria ]  33,802 IDP movements within 589 communities.
[ 20 April 2021, NES ]  While on April 20, the pumping of drinking water at Alouk Station stopped in the areas held by Turkish forces and their proxy factions, from which Alouk Station supplies the city of al Hasakah and areas in its countryside, while water from several wells could not reach civilians' homes
[ 30 March 2021, GoS ]  Syrian bankers and traders considered that the government restrictions on controlling and reviving the pound were poorly planned, warning of adverse results. After recording a noticeable improvement during the past two days, the pound started declining today again.
[ May 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average price for the standard food basket decreased by two per cent in April 2021, the first decrease since August 2020. The decrease is believed to be tied to improvements in the informal exchange rate. The national average price remains 247 per cent higher than in April 2020. The overall price decrease also hides monthly price increases from March to April in four governorates, including an 11 per cent increase in Damascus and 9 per cent increase in Rural Damascus.
[ May 2021, GoS, NES & NWS ]  COVID 19 vaccines accessed through the COVAX facility have been provided to 46,397 people over 55 years of age or with pre existing chronic diseases in government controlled areas  ( results are not yet available for NE Syria )  while 17,593 health and social workers  ( 3,272 female )  have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in NW Syria. Meanwhile, 69,528 health workers have received vaccines provided through other donations.
[ APR 2021, Overall Syria ]  At the community level, the Darayya community in Rural Damascus governorate and Khan Shaykun community in Idleb governorate each received some 600 returns, the highest number of spontaneous return movements in April, while the Homs community in Homs governorate and Aleppo city centre each received some 500 return movements. The Al Mayadin community in Deir ez Zor governorate and Tiba Elemam community in Hama governorate each received around 300 return movements, while the Rasm Hara mcommunity in Aleppo governorate received around 200 return movements in April.
[ 28 June 2021, GoS ]  On social media, Syrians have speculated that the price of sugar and rice may be increased, especially because registration for the new May / June session has been delayed. Allocations are still distributing the February, March, and April sessions, which caused sugar prices in the open market to reach 2,700 Syrian pounds. Ahmed Najm, general manager of the Syrian Trade Corporation, told Athr Press that the reason for the delayed distribution is due to several factors. They include users who receive a message but come late to receive their share. There might also be an error by the user in identifying the correct location.
[ 9 May 2021, Northern Syria ]  Early in May, the Syria Vaccination Team initiated the campaign in Aleppo countryside, Idlib, and its countryside. Phase 1 involved giving the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID 19 vaccine to health and humanitarian professionals in the northern part of the country. This 25 day phase targets to cover 53,000 health and relief workers in 82 facilities.
[ 5 May 2021, Northern Syria ]  The first COVID 19 infection in northern Syria was reported in August 2020, and the first wave reached its peak in November 2020. Until 5 May 2021, the total number of confirmed cases is 21,995, including 655 deaths, according to the statistics of WHO and the UN Health Cluster in Gaziantep, Turkey.
[ May 2021, NES ]  49% of CFPs view there to be discrimination/stigmatisation against community members who may have/have had COVID 19 and their families, the overall community, and healthcare workers. The highest % are in Ar Raqqa ( 66% ) , Al Hasakeh ( 54% )  and the lowest in in Aleppo ( 25% ) . 37% said Yes, towards community members who may have/ have had COVID 19 and their families, 11% said Yes, towards the overall community and 11% said Yes, towards healthcare workers.
[ 28 June 2021, GoS ]  These increases in price coincide with the Corporation confirming that rice and sugar backed materials have been widely available for several months, contracts are already in place, and new supplies will be procured for future cycles.
[ May 2021, NES ]  The main drivers of hesitance related to vaccination in the camp are: a )  concerns about vaccine safety b )  using the AstraZeneca vaccine in Syria while it was stopped in other countries c )  infertility concerns associated with the vaccine and d )  the perception that Health Sector is conducting experiments on the IDPs, because they are marginalized groups, and the vaccine is deadly. Clarifying concerns around these issues are then looped back into on going demand generation efforts.
[ 24 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  Though many refugees show immense resilience in the face of the conflict, we also know that far too many children are experiencing major disruptions to their development. If left untreated, this can cause mental, emotional, and physiological problems that follow them throughout their lives. Providing mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  for younger individuals is a critical part of long term recovery for Syria's next generation.
[ 26 May 2021, Overall Syria ] The Syrian pound remains at over 3,000 to the dollar and food prices, partly as a consequence, remain at historically high levels.
[ 26 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  More than two households in five – more than 40 per cent – report not having sufficient, or sufficiently nutritious, food. Nearly half of Syrian families who were surveyed in April said that adults are eating less themselves so that the children in the family can be fed.
[ May 2021, GoS, NES & NWS ]  The final Grades 9 and 12 certificate exams for the 2020 2021 academic year started from 30 May and will continue up to 22 June. Among the 518,670 students who registered to sit the exams, 16,507  ( 8,557 girls )  registered from areas outside government control. As of 31 May, 5,783 students  ( 2,993 girls; 4,495 Grade 9 and 1,288 Grade 12 )  had travelled crossline and cross border and are staying in the accommodation centres in five governorates, including Aleppo  ( 4,632 ) , Ar Raqqa  ( 625 ) , Dier ez Zor  ( 131 ) , Hama  ( 134 )  and Rural Damascus  ( 261, all Syrian students living in Lebanon ) . Other students  ( 55 students from newly accessible areas of Idleb and 9,120 students from NE of Syria )  are travelling crossline daily rather than staying in the accommodation centres.
[ 26 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  Following the artillery strikes on Atareb Surgical Hospital on 21 March, , the hospital remains largely out of action, even though staff have gone back to work. Before the attack, the hospital was carrying out over 200 consultations and procedures a day. That number has dropped to around 50. Potential patients are worried about another attack and so they are reluctant to go to the hospital.
[ November 12, Syria, hospitals are filling up ] “reports of health care facilities filling up, of rising numbers of death notices and burials, all seem to indicate that actual cases far exceed official figures'. Mr. Rajasingham added that the cases could not be traced to a known source, which also indicated weak testing and surveillance systems to control outbreaks of the disease.
[ November 12, Syria, people at risk ] Thousands of lives, including those of health workers, continue to be at risk with no transparent and effective information, or testing.
[ November 12, Syria ] The outbreak of COVID 19 has added more pressure on Syria's health care system, which has been decimated by almost a decade of conflict. According to the World Health Organization, only 50% of hospitals across Syria are fully functioning, 25% are partially functioning due to a shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage to hospital buildings, while the remaining 25% are not functioning at all.
[ November 12, Syria, information gap ]  Nearly eight months into the COVID 19 pandemic, the Syrian government is failing to adequately protect its health workers, still lacks a robust response to the spread of the disease, and is refusing to provide transparent and consistent information about the country's COVID 19 outbreak, Amnesty International said today.
[ November 12, Syria, social discrimination ]  The Ministry of Health publishes a daily data report on the number of confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries; however, the data excludes the number of tests carried out per day. Relatives of people infected, humanitarian workers and a doctor in Damascus, told Amnesty International that testing is only available to people travelling outside Syria.
[ November 12, Syria, inadequate distribution of PPE ] “Syria's crumbling health system was already at breaking point before the pandemic. Now, the government's lack of transparency about the scale of the COVID 19 outbreak, its inadequate distribution of personal protective equipment, and lack of testing is further endangering health workers and the general population,' said Diana Semaan, Amnesty International's Syria researcher.
[ November 12, Syria, access/ economic ] One doctor told Amnesty that after his grandfather showed COVID 19 symptoms around mid July, his family took him to two public hospitals in Damascus but there weren't any available beds. He died two weeks later. The doctor said: “The hospital only ran tests and told my family he would need an oxygen tank. With some difficulty, we managed to rent an oxygen tank but three days later he died. My family was barely able to pay for the oxygen tank because prices have significantly increased as more and more people are in need of oxygen tanks and ventilators.'
[ November 12, Syria ]  According to the UN, there are five laboratories to process COVID 19 tests for the 15 million people living in all of the areas under the government's control. There continues to be no testing sites in Daraa and north east Syria where infection rates have significantly increased in past months.
[ November 12, NES ]  In Daraa, residents and a doctor told Amnesty International that testing has not been available since June, and when testing was available the results took up to a week as all tests were sent to the Central Public Health Laboratory in Damascus for processing. In the north east, the UN reported that cases are believed to be higher than 4,164 due to significant gaps in detection and testing capacity.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Symptoms that would need to change to encourage community members to seek medical care, 77% of CFPs in Aleppo cited difficulty getting out of bed and moving as the third most important change in symptoms; only 9% cited high fever, 87% cited severe chest pain.
[ June 2021, NES ]  Rapid Assessment Findings  ( by % of 237 KIs in communities affected by water station functionality ) : Most commonly reported coping strategies used to deal with insufficient water:   57%: Reduce water consumption  ( non drinking )    43%: Rely on less preferred water sources  ( non drinking )    41%: Spend money on water that would be used for other things   25%: Rely on less preferred water sources for drinking
[ June 2021, NES ]  Barriers to accessing electricity  ( by % of communities ) :   67%: Rationing electricity by local authorities   58%: Solar panels too expensive   48%: Fuel for generators too expensive   47%: Batteries too expensive
[ May 2021, NES ]  12% CFPs in Aleppo and Al Hasakeh reported that they did not think the majority of members in their community knew how to report symptoms if they thought they had COVID 19  ( 25% in AR, 17% in Dez ) .
[ 26 May 2021, NWS ]  the Security Council authorization for UN cross border assistance into the north west expires in just over six weeks. A failure to extend it would immediately end direct cross border deliveries by the UN. That means food deliveries for 1.4 million people every month, millions of medical treatments, nutrition assistance for tens of thousands of children and mothers, education supplies for tens of thousands of students – all of those things would stop.
[ May 2021, NES ]  12% CFPs in Aleppo and Al Hasakeh reported that they did not think the majority of members in their community knew how to report symptoms of covid 19  ( 25% in AR, 17% in Dez ) .
[ May 2021, NES ] 22% of female CFPs reported that members of their community were not comfortable reporting symptoms of covid 19, in comparison to 18% of male CFPs
[ 28 APR, NES ]  WASH partners have activated emergency water trucking deliveries of approximately 3,231m3/day. This is however insufficient to cover needs; at full production capacity, Alouk water station supplies approximately 4,000m3/hour.
[ 28 APR, NES ]  Much of north east Syria, including Al Hasakeh Governorate, remains in a COVID 19 preventive lockdown in response to a reported significant and concerning increase of COVID 19 cases, including at Al Hol and Areesha camps.
[ June 2021, NES ]  Most commonly reported coping strategies for lack of sufficient water  ( by % of communities ) :   36% said Spend money on water usually spent on other things   33% said Rely on drinking water stored previously   30% said Do laundry less frequently   28% said Bathe less frequently  18% said Receive water on credit/borrow water
[ June 2021, NES ]  There was a sharp decrease in access to electricity from January 2021 and May 2021 in communities around the Euphrates. The proportion of communities where electricity access through the main network was reported across NES is 81%, but over 99% of assessed communities in Ar Raqqa and Aleppo governorates are relying on the main network, which is mainly supplied by Tishreen's hydroelectric power. Al Hasakeh governorate experiences extremely low reports of electricity more consistently, so little change is seen, while the access is still low.
[  November 19, Idlib ]  The area, battered by repeated military offensives from the government of President Bashar Assad, is home to nearly 4 million people, most of them displaced and living in tent camps or unfinished buildings.
[ May 2021, GoS ]  The Covid 19 CFR  ( Case Fatality Rate )  is 7.2 %. 169 cases  ( 0.69% )  are travel related cases, 1 840 cases  ( 7.51% )  are contacts of confirmed cases, and 22 486 cases  ( 91.80% )  are community infection. Clinical presentation of cases: 1,805 of cases  ( 7.37% )  were asymptomatic, 9,579  ( 39.11% )  had moderate symptoms, 13,111  ( 53.53% )  were severe. 55% are male and 45% are female. The average age is 53  ( ranging from 1 to 110 ) . A decrease in cases reported in May by 54% compared with April cases.
[ November 19, Idlib ]  Infection rates jumped nearly twentyfold between September and October, the U.N. said. Since then, it has climbed 300%, with nearly 11,900 cases recorded by Nov. 16, up from 8,100 a week earlier.
[ November 19, Idlib ]  “There are many patients, most in very bad condition. We have no time to give them all they need,' said Aref Shabib, one of over 95 nurses and technicians in the 70 bed isolation hospital, one of two in the city of Idlib, now a virus hot spot.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Civilians experiencing multiple displacements, socioeconomic disruptions, and systematic rights violations continue to face mental health related issues, with impact on women and children more prevalent. As these issues are compounded with COVID 19 related restrictions and social stigma, the available mental health and resilience building resources remain inadequate to respond to all the needs.
[ November 19, Idlib ]  The pandemic, which has severely tested even developed countries, is the biggest challenge yet for Syria's health sector, already depleted by years of conflict. Authorities are pacing themselves, deploying equipment and supplies where needed in war scarred areas.
[ November 19, Idlib ]   “We are working at full capacity and all our  ( ICU )  beds are taken. The minute one bed is empty, a patient is admitted,' he said.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 2 | Hospitalisation: % of CFPs reporting type of action taken: 
 Self isolated until symptoms got worse and had to be hospitalised  ( 66% ) 
 Nothing, until they had to be hospitalised  ( 23% )  and
 Sought medical care immediately  ( 10% ) .
[ May 2021, NES ]  Severity Level 2 | Hospitalisation: CFPs in Al Hasakeh  ( 69% )  and Deir ez Zor  ( 71% )  reported higher rates of self isolation prior to symptoms worsening, as opposed to seeking medical care care.
[ August 13, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 26,247 till now, of which 22,116 have recovered, while 1,933 passed away.
[ JAN   MARCH 2021 ]  3% of returnees are currently living in damaged shelters . The numbers represent the percentage of returnees who reported priority needs in specific sectors, from March 2021.
[ May 2021, NES ]  49% of all CFPs reported that they view the majority of their community members perceive COVID 19 as a deadly disease  ( 47% HCW CFPs; 51% non HCW CFPs ) : The highest % of people who perceive COVID 19 as a deadly disease is in Al Hasakeh ( 57% )  and the highest % of people who don't perceive COVID 19 as a deadly disease is in Aleppo ( 73% ) .
[ August 12, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced on Thursday that 40 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 17 coronavirus patients recovered, while 3 passed away.
[ Jan 2020 2021, Overall Syria ]  At the regional level, employment rates for both males and females have more signifi cantly decreased in NWS  (  11 percent for males and  41 percent change for females between January 2020 and January 2021 ) .
[ 3 April 2021, GoS ]  The Director of Communicable and Chronic Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Jamal Khamis told local media the death rate among older people had surged, urging people to follow government health guidelines.
[ May 2021, NES ]  48% of CFPs in Al Hasakeh cited that community members may not seek care as they do not view COVID 19 as dangerous; 38% said members did not think they were in the "vulnerable" category, and also out of fear of discrimination/stigma from the community.
[ August 12, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 26,205 till now, of which 22,100 have recovered, while 1,930 passed away.
[ 28 APR, GoS ]  The Ministry, in a statement to SANA, said that the total number of infections has amounted to 22,389, of which 16,283 have recovered and 1,559 have passed away.
[ 16th ​March, 2021, SDF ]  60% of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES ]  In March, the value of the regional SMEB reached 351,203 Syrian pounds  ( SYP ) , a 24% increase compared to February and 78% increase since September 2020, setting the highest ever recorded price in the Market Monitoring exercise in NES. The SMEB in United States Dollars  ( USD )  decreased slightly from 94 USD in February to 90 USD in March.
[ 1 8 March, 2021, NES, GoS ]  The value of the regional SMEB food component further increased by 20% between February and March, reaching a record high median value of 265,000 SYP. The price of the SMEB vegetable component increased by 5% since February. The price development for all monitored vegetables varied, with tomato prices increasing most significantly by 9%, cucumbers decreasing by 14% and onions decreasing by 4%. These price developments are likely due to the more expensive reliance on the import of fresh foods from GoS areas, affected by high transportation costs and increasing depreciation of the SYP.
[ August 14, GoS ]  The Health Ministry announced on Saturday that 45 new coronavirus cases were recorded, adding that 17 coronavirus patients recovered, while 2 passed away.
[ 11 April 2021, NWS ] In coordination with other humanitarian actors, the Cluster has been collecting data on COVID 19 cases inside camps. As of 11 April 2021, there were 2,289 confirmed COVID 19 cases reported in camps  ( 760 in Aleppo Governorate and 1,529 in Idleb Governorate ) , of which 1,931 are recovered cases and 56 are COVID 19 associated deaths. Overcrowding and lack of camp management remain major challenges in the fight against the pandemic in IDP sites.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  The total estimated IDP population in north west Syria in March 2021 is 2,824,283 IDPs. The number of displacement movements during the month was around 28,600, mostly to Afrin, Raju and Sharan sub districts, whereas the number of IDPs who were reported as having returned to their community of origin is around 5,200 IDPs, with Elsem, Ariha and Mhambal, sub districts recorded as the top three returnee destinations.
[ August 14, GoS ]  In a statement, the Ministry added that the total number of the coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached up to 26,292 till now, of which 22,133 have recovered, while 1,935 passed away.
[ 7 April 2021, Northeast Syria ]  The Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria has imposed a curfew until April 12 as the number of positive cases there climbed by 1,131 last week    53 percent of the total number recorded across the country last week.
[ May 2021, NES ]  Symptoms that would need to change to encourage community members to seek medical care, Financial help was cited by 100% of CFPs in Deir ez Zor and 98% in Aleppo.
[ May 2021, NES ]  32% of CFPs reported that the majority of members in their community have heard of the COVID 19 reporting hotline; of this population 92% reported that community members would know how to call it. Hotline awareness: Al Hasakeh ( 50% )  Aleppo  ( 10% )  Ar Raqqa  ( 6% )  and Deir ez Zor ( 35% )  Of those aware, % who can call/use: Al Hasakeh ( 94% )  Aleppo  ( 75% )  Ar Raqqa  ( 61% )  and Deir ez Zor ( 100% ) .
[ 29 May 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of coronavirus cases recorded in Syria has reached 24,410 till now, of which 21,588 have recovered and 1,758 have passed away.
[ May 2021, NES ]  79% of CFPs from Deir ez Zor and 77% of CFPs from Aleppo reported that community members do no think the disease is dangerous  ( vs. 55% in AH, 62% in AR ) . 79% of CFPs from Deir ez Zor reported lack of awareness  ( vs. 52% in AH, 38% in Al, 52% in AR ) ; 57% of female CFPs cited the same  ( vs. 41% of males ) .
[ May 2021, NES ]  Of the 57% of CFPs that reported that community members would have sufficient support if they were to seek medical care, 61% of CFPs from Ar Raqqa reported that community members could provide monetary support  ( vs. 84% in AH, 83% in Al, 95% in Dez ) ; female CFPs reported that monetary support would be available more than male CFPs  ( 89% vs. 71% )
[ May 2021, NES ]  77% of CFPs reported community members would take a doctor's advice if they recommended that, either due to the severity of a community member's symptoms or underlying conditions  ( including age ) , they should be referred to a dedicated hospital for treating COVID 19. Rumors of the dangers of treatments administered at medical facilities was cited most as the reason for why the remaining 23% would not go.
[ 2 April 2021, GoS ]  Most of the citizens canceled the electricity subscription “amps' due to the increase in the price of one ampere to 6 thousand Syrian pounds
[ 16 March, 2021, NES and NWS ]  During the reporting period, there have not been significant reported logistics constraints in relation to NES and NWS. The NES Forum has confirmed that medical equipment and PPE have been able to be brought into NES without significant disruption.
[ 16 March, 2021, NWS ]  24 active CCTCs  ( with 1,088 beds )  remain in northwest Syria, while 12 hospitals that treat COVID 19  ( with 234 intensive care unit  ( ICU )  beds and 926 regular beds )  remain.
[ 3 AUG, GoS ]  The Ministry said in a statement to SANA that the total number of coronavirus infections registered in Syria has reached up 26,005 so far, of which 22,005 have recovered, while 1,917 passed away.
[ 4 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  The continuing currency depreciation has further increased the already high production costs and hampered the access of farmers to agricultural inputs, which are mostly imported.
[ 4 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  The quantities of granular nitrate fertilizer provided at subsidized prices are insufficient to cover the national needs. Crop protection material, although often of unknown origin and efficacy, is available on the market, but it is not accessible for many farmers and it leads to insufficient application rates.
[ 4 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  There are severe shortages of essential items, including bread at subsidized prices, medicines and fuel. Subsidized bread is rationed through a smart card system.
Enhancing surveillance capacity, including active surveillance, with a critical need to expand laboratory capacity at national and subnational level to test for timely detection;Protecting health care workers by training and providing additional PPE;Ensuring proper case management, isolation and contact tracing; Raising awareness and risk communication.
[ 16 March, 2021, NES ]  In IPC assessment, so far data has been collected in 26 of 51 facilities in Deir Ez Zor, 23 of 50 facilities in Ar Raqqa, 14 of 54 facilities in Al Hasakeh and 18 of 39 facilities in Aleppo governorates. The first round of the IPC assessment covered 95 facilities, with the main gaps identified around sanitation  ( considered inadequate or basic in over 60 per cent of assessed facilities ) , hygiene promotion  ( considered inadequate in 40 per cent of facilities ) , staff training  ( at the time of the first assessment trainings on the identification of suspect cases/ application of the case definition were incomplete in most facilities ) , PPE availability  ( particularly for cleaning staff )  and regular screening of staff  ( not being done in over 50 per cent of facilities ) .
[ 5 13th April 2021, NWS ]  In April, 83% of vendors reported supply challenges. The primary supply challenge cited remained price inflation, reported by 81% of vendors across NWS. As a seemingly widespread supply challenge, price inflation issues may also impact vendors' abilities to keep markets stocked with essential items. The second issue cited was that supply had been affected by border closures, reported by 5% of surveyed vendors
[ May 2021, Aleppo governorate ]   [ Menbij East New Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,412 ]  Of the 78% of households who required treatment in the 30 days prior to the assessment, 89% reported that they had faced barriers to accessing medical care. Of those that faced barriers, the most commonly reported barriers to accessing medical care were:
•Cannot afford to pay for health services  ( 100% ) 
• High cost of transportation to health facilities  ( 87% ) 
• Lack of medicines at the health facilities  ( 73% )
[ May 2021, Aleppo governorate ]   [ Menbij East New Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,412 ]  91% of households reported that the health sector is not meeting their minimum health needs. The most commonly reported health needs by households were chronic diseases treatment  ( 64% )  and maternal health services  ( 58 ) %
[ May 2021, Aleppo governorate ]   [ Menbij East New Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,412 ]  84% of households reported that they were aware of child labour occuring among children under the age of 11, most commonly reporting domestic labour  ( 74% )  and transporting people or goods  ( 11% ) .
[ February 2021, NWS ]  Soap was unaffordable for 32% of the communities and adult hygiene items for 50%.
[ 30 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Maternal anemia and maternal malnutrition is expected to continue rising due to deteriorating socio  economic conditions.
[ May 2021, Aleppo governorate ]   [ Menbij East New Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,412 ]  100% of school aged children in the households were reported to not receive education. The most commonly reported barriers were: • Educational services suspended due to summer holiday  ( 89% )  • Newly arrived to camp  ( 9% )  • No education for children of a certain age  ( 9% )  In the past school year, households reported that their school aged children went to school on average 42% of total school days.
[ April 2021, GoS & NWS ]  For price of a two year old alive male sheep, broken down by regions, the middle region recorded the highest average price across Syria at SYP 591,087/sheep  ( up 14 percent m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 523,906/sheep  ( up two percent m o m ) . While the coastal region recorded the lowest price at SYP 474,188/sheep  ( up five percent m o m ) , followed by the cross border region at SYP 479,529/sheep  ( down seven percent m o m ) .
[ 28/Sep/2020 ]   [ Syria ]  Between December 2019 and June 2020, the national average food basket cost had increased by 153 per cent.
[ 29/Sep/2020 ]   [ Syria ]  More than 4,000 cases of COVID 19 have been confirmed, according to the World Health Organization
[ 1 8 March 2021, NWS ]  At the regional level, overall prices for transport fuels increased by 30% between February and March, with a median price of 2,425 SYP per litre. e. Less expensive, manually refined fuels, including petrol and kerosene showed rising prices and remained largely unavailable in NWS due to low levels of import, caused by the devaluation of the SYP and the Turkish lira  ( TRY )  against the dollar.
[ October 14, NES, Social stigma ]  Unfortunately, these factors are also fuelling harmful stereotypes. High levels of social stigma contribute a fundamental barrier to reporting symptoms and the early detection of cases.
Of the total cases, 104 cases were reportedly imported as of 24 July, with 203 reported as secondary cases  ( exposure/contact with a known case ) .According to available MoH data, nearly 28 per cent of cases required hospitalization, including, in some cases, oxygenation or mechanical ventilation in ICU units.
[ 13 APR 2021, GOS ]  As Sweda, Aleppo, Dar'a, Hama, Homs governorate and its subdistricts had little to no communities implementing COVID 19 mitigation measures such as closure of public spaces, social distancing, lockdown, prohibition of gatherings, etc.
[ 13 APR 2021, GOS ]  Main course of actions if household member feels ill are: 115 stay at home, 73 go to the hospital and 17 call the doctor.
[ February 2021, GoS ]  During the first week of March 2021, WFP  ( World Food Programme )  interviewed 64 traders  ( retailers )  across all 14 Syrian governorates. Most traders reported no scarcity of commodities but some mentioned that they were buying less oil, sugar and legumes than a few months prior.
[ February 2021,NWS ]  For wheat flour, Northwest Syria reported the highest retail price at SYP 1,661/kg  ( up 25 percent m o m ) , followed by Syria's middle region at SYP 1,624/kg  ( up 17 percent m o m ) . Northeast Syria reported the lowest retail price at SYP 1,289/ kg  ( up seven percent m o m ) , followed by the cross border region at SYP 1,406/kg  ( up 20 percent m o m )
[ 13 APR 2021, NWS ]  54% of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 13 APR 2021, NWS ]  Aleppo governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient to no service of isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases.
Since mid April, there have been 34 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in NES, resulting in one death and five recoveries as of 4 August. To date, there has been one confirmed cluster of COVID 19 cases, centered on the Al Amran neighborhood of Al Hasakeh. There has been no confirmed community level transmission reported.
But despite the limited number of reported cases, the risk of large scale transmission in NES remains high. Following the announcement of four new cases on 23 July, local authorities in NES reinstated a partial curfew. Included in this was the banning of all mass gatherings, including weddings and funerals, while restaurants are now limited to take away service only. Authorities also emphasized the importance of personal preventive measures, such as physical distancing. Additionally, effective immediately, no corpses are permitted to be transported into NES. While the border has been closed from 24 July, it's understood that weekly humanitarian exemptions will be maintained.
International commercial passenger flights remain suspended, but international repatriation flights landing in Damascus and Lattakia airports are ongoing. About 2,950 people have been repatriated out of some 10,000 who are reportedly registered. Meanwhile, domestic cargo and passenger flights continue to operate, including by the UN Humanitarian Air Service  ( UNHAS ) . At port facilities at Tartous and Lattakia, precautionary measures, including mandatory sterilization procedures and the maintaining of minimum staff have resulted in a slowdown in operations.
In NWS, individual crossing to and from Turkey remains restricted while humanitarian and commercial deliveries are authorized. On 9 July, the first positive COVID 19 result was recorded in Bab Al Hawa. Since then, precautions have been scaled up in response to the identified cases to contain COVID 19 transmissions, including restrictions on movements, gatherings, commercial activities, and in person education services. On 11 July, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2533, extending cross border UN assistance from Turkey to NWS through the Bab Al Hawa border crossing for another 12 months.
[ 13 APR 2021, NWS ]  % of SDs with insufficient COVID 19 medical services:   Testing provision for COVID 19: 61% Lack this service,   Quarantine space for diagnosed COVID 19 cases: 63% Lack this service,   Isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases: 59% Lack this service and   Provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases: 57% Lack this service.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  For Diesel prices, broken down by regions, the cross border region reported the highest price at SYP 2,104/litre  ( up 16 percent m o m ) , while northeast Syria reported the lowest price at SYP 615/litre  ( up 41 percent m o m ) .
WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February. To date, WHO has provided enzyme kits  ( 31,240 reactions ) , extraction kits  ( 27,250 reactions ) , screening kits  ( 57,792 reactions )  and confirmatory testing kits  ( 1,920 tests ) , 52,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, and five polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 21,000 bags for samples, and PPE for staff. WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline, including four GeneXpert machines.
[ February 2021, Overall Syria ]  Broken down by regions, the cross border region reported the highest terms of trade between wheat flour and wage labour at 5.3 kgs  ( unchanged m o m ) . On the other hand, northwest Syria reported the lowest terms of trade at 2.1 kgs  ( down 19 percent m o m ) .
[ September 10, GoS, detainees in GoS prisons  ] Also of concern, says Badenjki, is the thousands of political prisoners being detained in poor, unhygienic conditions among whom an outbreak would spread rapidly.
[ 29 March 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the number of coronavirus infections recorded in Syria has reached up to 18,498 until now, of which 12,377cases have recovered, while 1,239 have passed away.
[ October 13, Damascus, undercover Health care ]  As the number ofSyrians infected by COVIDin areas under regime control skyrocketed in recent months and hospitals are filled to capacity, Syrians have turned to buying oxygen tanks to survive without professional medical care.
On 13 August, the Alouk water station – the main water supply for 460,000 people in Al Hasakeh Governorate stopped pumping water amid reports of a technical fault. This was the thirteenth time water supply from the station had been disrupted since January 2020.
[ October 13, Damascus, undercover Health care ]  These initiatives emerged due to the failure of the state's health sector and officially registered NGOs to address the pandemic. Seeking to dominate all mobilization of its subjects, the Baath regime has spent decades surveilling and punishing initiatives developed outside of the framework of authorized Baath linked and state run institutions.
[ Jan 2020 2021, Overall Syria ]  Barriers to employment is also further emphasized by the decrease in the share of households reporting 'no barriers' over time  ( 42 percent annual decrease ) .
May 21 NWS: Social media and communication tools have been recruited effectively in collecting health information and communicating health messaging. IHD has dedicated a WhatsApp number to respond to queries from public on COVID 19. Diaspora networks have also been involved in providing remote consultations and support to members of the public as well as to their medical colleagues on the ground. Facebook has been used to organize the volunteer campaigns and to convey messages considering the wide use of Facebook in the northwest Syria.
Those displaced during the intense hostilities still suffer in overcrowded and underserviced vast displacement camps. Despite the risks involved, some of those displaced during the hostilities are returning, even to homes in ruins. Because the conditions in overcrowded camps are just that dire, and compounded by the looming threat of COVID 19 – the first case was reported last week.