nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
[ April 2021, NWS ]  KIs in 16% of communities reported a lack of privacy for women and girls at health facilities as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ March 2021, NES ]  86% of communities reported in person education services when it was functioning and 0% online. 48% of communities where KIs reported that the recognized certification of education level completed was a barrier to accessing education services.
[ April 2021, NWS ]  To cope with high food prices, households relied on non market food sources and decreased their food consumption. In more than half of the assessed communities, own production and farming was cited as a common source of food. Skipping meals remained a common coping strategy for a lack of food, especially in Northern Aleppo. KIs in more than 90% of the assessed communities in Suran, Jarablus and Al Bab Sub districts reported this coping strategy
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  As of 31 of March 2021, cases: 18,909, number of COVID 19 deaths: 1, 265 and CFR  ( case fatality ratio )  = 6.7%. 169 cases  ( 1% )  are travel related cases, 1 207 cases  ( 6% )  are contacts of confirmed cases, and 17,533 cases  ( 93% )  are community infection. 1,478 of cases  ( 7.3% )  were asymptomatic, 4,496  ( 22.1% )  had moderate symptoms, 11,175  ( 54.9% )  were severe, and 3,182  ( 15.6% )  have not reported yet. 56% are male and 44% are female. The average age is 52  ( ranging from 1 to 108 ) . And, an increase in cases reported in March by 116% compared with February cases.
[ February 2021, Al Hasakeh, NES ]  Proportion of assessed settlements with KIs reporting on whether residents experienced barriers when leaving the assessed settlement in the two weeks prior to data collection: Most commonly reported barriers in these assessed settlements: Transportation too expensive  ( 13% ) , Safety/security situation  ( 3% )  and Insufficient transportation  ( 3% ) .
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  COVID 19 testing is taking place at 7 laboratories in Damascus, Rural Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates. One GeneXpert machine is functioning at the health centre located at the Syrian Lebanese border, mostly for returnees, another GeneXpert machine was donated by WHO to Al Qamishli National hospital.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  HEALTH FACILITY FUNCTIONALITY: Public Hospital.   By end of the 4th Quarter 2020 and out of the 113 assessed public hospitals  [ MoH & MoHE ] , 48%  ( 54 )  were reported fully functioning, 28%  ( 32 )  hospitals were reported partially functioning  ( i.e., shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage of the building in some cases ) , while 24%  ( 27 )  were reported non functioning.   78%  ( 88 )  hospitals were reported accessible, 8%  ( 9 )  hard to access, and 14%  ( 16 )  were inaccessible.   The general practitioner  ( 0.2% )  and emergency physician  ( 0.3% )  were the lowest proportion of health staff in public hospitals, followed by dentists  ( 0.7% ) , pharmacists  ( 0.7% ) , midwives  ( 4.7% ) , laboratory  ( 5.0% ) , specialists  ( 12.2% ) , resident doctors  ( 24.1% ) , and nurses  ( 52.1% ) .
[ 1 March  31 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  An advocacy workshop was conducted with 35 journalists  ( including 10 female journalists )  from diverse media outlets, to ensure that accurate information about the vaccines is provided to the general public.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NWS ]  In April, the regional median price for transport fuel was 2,433 SYP per litre, a relatively stable price with a 0.3% increase since March, but an increase of 87% since October 2020. The price of high quality petrol increased by 6% since March, and by 98% since October 2020. The price of high quality diesel saw a 2% decrease in price, although this has increased by 97% since October 2020.
[ 12 Aug, Dara'a Governorate ]  To date, SARC have registered 33,540 people  ( 6,446 households )  displaced in Dara'a city and surrounding areas, the majority are women and children  ( 31,076 ) .
[ Jan   Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  There are high levels of anaemia across Syria, with one in four children and one in three PLWs with anaemia. Maternal malnutrition remains a concern, with the situation worse among displaced and hard to reach population.
[ Jan   Dec 2020, GoS, NWS ]  In government controlled areas SMART survey results show that 5% of PLW are acutely malnourished, in North West Syria nearly 11% of PLWs are acutely malnourished and in some areas in Idlib there are indications of up to 40%.
[ Jan   Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  Acute malnutrition among children is consistently increasing even though overall malnutrition levels in Syria remain below emergency levels. In some displaced populations or hard to reach populations, levels are however nearing to emergency threshold levels. Acute and chronic malnutrition are generally highest among those displaced compared to residents.
[ 2 April 2021, GoS ]  Analyst Shaabou said that opening the crossings and allowing trade and free movement between the two regions might bring in dollars into the regime's control areas. The regime will also try to obtain some goods and products now it is denied due to economic conditions or sanctions. “This will relieve the regime to a considerable extent.' Activating crossings will also turn the opposition areas into an open market for Syrian and Iranian goods, which would constitute a “vent for the regime, positively affect its economy, and help it solve some of its economic problems.'
[ 2 April 2021, Northern Syria ]  Said al Ahmad, General Administration of Crossings' official, said that “the liberated areas import 5 percent of needed goods from the regime's areas compared to 95 percent from Turkey,' while the northern Syrian regions export 50 percent of the surplus of their product to the regime's areas at a rate of 90 percent and by only 10percent to Turkey. He added that “exports enable imports, and had it not been for exports, the residents of the liberated areas would have lived on relief and aid only,' while closing the borders and refraining from finding solutions to sell local products would cause goods to bile up and, in turn, will drive farmers to stop cultivation.
[ 2 April 2021, GoS & Northern Syria ]  ( Syrian Interim Government )  SIG's Minister of Economy, Abdel Hakim al Masry listed threats involved in reopening domestic crossings, transferring dollars to the regime's areas to take advantage of exchange rate differences and increasing fees the regime has been charging cargo vehicles passing towards its areas, for “the regime's checkpoints charge a fee of up to 8000 USD from cars loaded with oil. These checkpoints also demand a fee from cars entering the liberated areas unless they are loaded with the coastal areas' agricultural products. The latter group is not charged money as to encourage their entry and marketing in liberated areas, where these products will be in competition with local or imported products.'
[ Jan   Dec 2020, Overall Syria ]  Without appropriate and flexible funding to the Nutrition Sector, it is expected that in 2021, 13,000   17,000 children under 5 could be at increased risk of death due to acute malnutrition, 3 million PLWs would suffer a decline in health and risk of adverse maternal outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth, and 0.5 million children could lose their future potential due to stunting. It is anticipated that these consequences will drastically worsen by the ongoing COVID 19 outbreak and the deterioration in local and household economy.
[ 26 April 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of infections registered in Syria till now has reached up to 22,135, of which 15,913 have recovered and 1,537 others have passed away.
[ 12 Aug, Dara'a Governorate ]  Reports indicate that the humanitarian situation inside Dara'a al Balad is increasingly precarious with critical shortages of electricity, fuel, bread due to ongoing insecurity; this has also delayed wheat flour deliveries to al Balad and Tishreen bakeries. Al Balad bakery is functioning but at sub optimal levels and relying on flour stocks provided by the local community.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  There are 7 quarantine centres with 520 bed capacity; and 22 hospitals with 1832 treatment beds, and 828 ICU beds.
[ 12 Aug, Dara'a Governorate ]  Initial results indicate overcrowded conditions with some families sharing living spaces with limited sanitation faclities which raises protection, health and hygiene related risks.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The gap between the highest and lowest average food basket prices widened by 25 percent from SYP 55,607 in February 2021 to SYP 69,288 in March 2021. Moreover, the gap increased by 488 percent since March 2020 highlighting continued supply chain disruptions across the country since last year, increased fuel cost and an extremely volatile exchange rate.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The fiscal and political turmoil in Lebanon continues to have an impact on the Syrian pound's depreciation. As a result of the underlying uncertainty in Lebanon in forming a new government, the Lebanese pound  ( LBP )  on the informal exchange market weakened to as much as LBP 14,000/USD  ( on 16 March ) . The weakening of the LBP had a huge impact on the deterioration of Syrian pound's value . Moreover, the Syrian pound's value has also been affected by internal factors, mainly the Central Bank's decision to limit cash transfers between governorates to up to five million pounds  ( 4,000 USD )  and to one million pounds  ( 800 USD )  within government held areas. Moreover, withdrawals from Syrian bank accounts have been limited to only two million pounds  ( 1,600 USD at the official exchange rate )  compared to 15 million pounds  ( 12,000 USD at the official exchange rate )  previously.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  Populations living in low capacity settings face enhanced vulnerabilities in the COVID 19 context. Persons who are homeless or displaced, whether internally or as a refugee or asylum seeker, as well as those who are stateless and migrants with tenuous legal status, face additional compounding risk factors, which may dramatically increase the risks they face in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic. It is important to recognize the extent to which the COVID 19 outbreak may affect people differently according to their age, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnicity, disability, education, employment, displacement, migration status and other socio cultural attributes.
[ 17 June 2021, NWS ]  Idlib province, Syria's last rebel stronghold, is home to around 3 million people, more than half of whom depend on food aid. All of that filters through the Bab al Hawa crossing where currently around 1,000 U.N. trucks enter a month through Turkey. “Right now there is a plan for if no renewal happens and alongside our partner the World Food Programme we are stockpiling for three months until the end of September,' said Bassil al Dirri, Idlib area manager for the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Association  ( IYD ) . “But after that there will be nothing.'
[ March 2021, NWS ]  With the Syrian Pound losing value in comparison to other currencies, with an increase in hostilities, and with harsh weather conditions that have been severely damaging IDPs' shelter and properties, the population is now facing more difficulties in addressing their basic needs.
[ 10 June 2021, GoS & NES ]  On 3 February GAVI expressed intent to provide an initial 1,020,000 doses of Astra Zenica SII  ( AZ SII )  vaccines, to cover the first three per cent of the population  ( targeted high risk groups ) , including in NES. On 25 March, the COVAX Facility informed participating Member States that vaccine deliveries from the Serum Institute of India would be delayed due to increased demand for COVID 19 vaccines in India, affecting 37 low and middle income countries, including Syria. Following advocacy, on 21 April, the first COVAX delivery of 203,000 doses arrived in Damascus; 17,500 doses were subsequently airlifted to Qamishli with WHO support on 3 May.
[ 19 July 2021, GoS ]  Even in relatively affluent Damascus neighbourhoods such as Rukn al Din, more than one third of households now rely on humanitarian assistance, according to a survey by the Operations & Policy Center. There is a perverse irony in the fact that Syrian workers self report some of the longest working hours in the world, yet 94.1 percent have monthly spending that places them beneath the global poverty line, by some measures.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NWS ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB COST: FOOD ITEMS   283,725 Syrian Pounds; One month change:  3% and Six month change: 66%.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NWS ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB HYGIENE ITEMS' PRICE   21,120 Syrian Pounds; One month change:  15% and Six month change: 61%.
[ 5 13th April 2021, NWS ]   [ Retrieved from table ]  MEDIAN SMEB WATER TRUCKING PRICE   14,625 Syrian Pounds; One month change:  1% and Six month change: 48%.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  Availability of health services in the functional public hospitals: Waste management: 65% Sanitation availability: 90% Safe water availability: 92%
[ 25 MAY 2021, NES ]  60% of sub districts have sufficient knowledge of COVID 19 risk.
[ 25 MAY 2021, NES ]  Availability of education services  ( % of sub districts ) : 0%: available 0%: partially available 0%: not available
[ April 2021, NES ]  KIs in 19% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for persons with a disability as a barrier to meeting basic needs.
[ April 2021, NES ]  Child labour and early marriage were reported to prevent children from going to school in 59% and 13% of communities.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  Availability of health services in the functional public hospitals: Management of severe acute malnutrition with complications: 37%
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Top three most commonly reported winterisation needs for residents and IDPs  ( by % of communities ) : 89% of residents and IDPs each reported heating fuel, 58% residents and 59% IDPs reported floor mats and 53% residents and 55% IDPs reported winter clothes.
[ 27 April 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said that the total number of infections in Syria has reached up till now to 22,265 cases, of which 16,097 patients have recovered and 1,548 have passed away.
[ September 15, GoS ] The Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that 157 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, 45 coronavirus patients recovered while 7 others passed away.
[ 25 MAY 2021, NES ]  Deir ez Zor, Al Hasakeh and Aleppo governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient provision of space in health facilities to monitor suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ September 15, GoS ] The Ministry, in a statement, said that the total number of infections recorded in the country has reached up to 29,805 till now, of which 22,837 have recovered, while 2,090 others have passed away.
[ 25 MAY 2021, NES ]  Aleppo, Al Hasakeh and Deir ez Zor governorate and it's subdistricts had insufficient to no service of isolation space in health centres for suspected COVID 19 cases.
[ 25 MAY 2021, NES ]  Aleppo, Ar Raqqa and Deir ez Zor governorate had little to no communities implementing COVID 19 mitigation measures such as closure of public spaces, social distancing, lockdown, prohibition of gatherings, etc.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the national average price of potatoes increased by 29 percent and by 56 percent y o y, reaching SYP 865/kg in March 2021. The coastal region recorded the highest price at SYP 1,065/kg  ( up 35 percent m o m ) , followed by the middle region at SYP 984/kg  ( up 33 percent m o m ) . Conversely, northeast Syria recorded the lowest price at SYP 754/kg  ( up 26 percent m o m ) , followed by northwest Syria at SYP 756/kg  ( up 28 percent m o m ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Percentage of households reporting that communal latrines have handwashing facilities: None 76%, Yes   some 12% and Yes   all 12%.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Main information sources about COVID 19 as reported by households:NGOs or charities 54%, Friends/family 53% and Internet 33%.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  In 2021, more than 12.4 million people  ( out of the total estimated population of 20 million )  require health assistance.
[ 15 April 2021, NES ]  Save the Children's Syria Response Director Sonia Khush said:“These new figures are incredibly concerning. If this upsurge continues, it will only be a matter of time before hospitals and isolation facilities   which already have very limited capacity   are overwhelmed. “We are particularly concerned about the impact this latest increase will have on children. Because of the curfew, they are less likely to be able to access medical services and facilities, affecting their health, education and mental wellbeing.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In March 2021, the Terms of Trade  ( ToT )  between an alive two year old male sheep and wheat flour was 252 kg/sheep  ( down 11 percent m o m ) . This highlights a deterioration in the terms of trade for livestock owners who could buy on average eleven percent less wheat flour compared to a month earlier. Moreover, the ToT worsened by 44 percent since March 2020.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  M o m, the national average retail price of vegetable oil throughout Syria increased by 47 percent in March 2021, reaching SYP 8,255/litre. Vegetable oil's national average price has also increased by 191 percent since September 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 514 percent since March 2020. Hama recorded the highest average vegetable oil retail price at SYP 9,325/litre  ( up 48 percent m o m ) , while Idleb recorded the lowest average retail price at SYP 6,462/litre  ( up 49 percent m o m ) . The retail price of vegetable oil, broken down by regions, northwest Syria reported the highest average retail price at SYP 9,183/litre  ( up 54 percent m o m ) , followed by the coastal region at SYP 9,105/litre  ( up 48 percent m o m ) . Conversely, the cross border region reported the lowest average retail price of vegetable oil at SYP 6,250/litre  ( up 46 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 6,829  ( up 37 percent m  o m ) .
[  March 2021, GoS ]  In March 2021, the national average retail price of sugar increased by 23 percent m o m reaching SYP 2,351/kg. The national average price has increased by 94 percent since September 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 275 percent since March 2020. As Sweida recorded the highest sugar price at SYP 2,573/kg  ( up 28 percent m o m ) , while Deir ez Zor recorded the lowest price of SYP 2,183/kg  ( up 14 percent m o m ) .
[  March 2021, GoS ]  In March 2021, the national average retail price of red split lentils increased by 30 percent m o m reaching SYP 2,628/kg. The national average price also has increased by 89 percent since September 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 295 percent since March 2020. Tartous recorded the highest red split lentils price at SYP 3,420/kg  ( up 53 percent m o m ) , while Dar'a recorded the lowest price of SYP 2,004/kg  ( up 34 percent m o m ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  6% of households reported having difficulties understanding information about COVID 19. The most commonly reported difficulties understanding information about COVID 19 were: Information is not clear  ( 4% )  and There are not enough materials  ( 4% ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Attitudes and behaviors of camp population: Awareness of COVID 19: Everyone  ( around 100% )  and COVID 19 perceived as important issue: Most  ( around 75% ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Attitudes and behaviors of camp population: Awareness of social distancing: Everyone  ( around 100% )  and People engaging in social distancing: A few  ( around 25% ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Camp management KIs reported that living conditions not allowing for social distancing was the main issue the population experienced related to social distancing.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Number of healthcare facilities available in camp is 1. The type of facility available is a NGO clinic.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  14% of households reported at least one member suffering from psychosocial distress.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  The number of confirmed COVID 19 cases among health workers increased to 691 in mainly in Damascus hospitals, Lattakia, and Aleppo and Rural Damascus. 33 HWs deaths were reported among positive COVID19 cases.
[  March 2021, NES, NWS & GoS ]  Month on month  ( m o m ) , all 14 governorates recorded an increasing average reference food basket price in March 2021. The highest m o m increase of 43 percent was reported in Tartous reaching SYP 198,582, while the lowest increase of 24 percent was reported in Ar Raqqa, reaching SYP 175,503. Idleb continued to report the highest average food basket price at SYP 221,186  ( up 26 percent m o m ) . Year on year  ( y o y ) , the price of the reference food basket has significantly increased across all 14 governorates. Aleppo continued to record the highest increase  ( up 367 percent ) , while Damascus continued to record the lowest increase  ( up 242 percent ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Gender based violence: Households reporting knowing about any designated space for women and girls in the site: No 30% and Yes 70%. Of the 70% of households who reported knowing about any designated space, 14% reported that a girl or woman from their household attended one in the last 30 days prior to data collection.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  32% of households reported that they were aware of child labour occuring among children under the age of 11, most commonly reporting domestic labour  ( 68% )  and factory work  ( 5% ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  100% of households reported that their children are receiving no education, and 100% reported that they faced barriers to education. The most commonly reported barriers were: Schools are closed due to COVID 19  ( 96% ) , Schools lack trained teachers  ( 7% )  and No education for children of a certain age  ( 6% ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  0% of households reported that their school aged children receive education.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Public water tank was the primary source of water at the time of data collection. The public tap/standpipe was reportedly used by 100% of households for drinking water. 3% of households reported they spent at least two consecutive days without access to drinking water over the two weeks prior to data collection.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  97% of households reported having hand/body soap available at the time of data collection.
[  March 2021, NES, NWS & GoS ]  The highest informal exchange rate was reported in Deir ez Zor at SYP 4,090/USD  ( depreciated by 18 percent m o m and by 70 percent y o y ) , followed by Damascus, Homs and Hama at SYP 4,017/USD  ( depreciating by 17 percent m o m and by 74 for Damascus and by 71 percent for Homs and Hama yo y ) . Conversely, the lowest rates were reported in Idleb at SYP 3,846/USD  ( depreciated by 18 percent m o m and by 71 percent y o y ) , and Al Hasakeh at SYP 3,848/USD  ( depreciated by 13 percent m o m and by 69 percent y o y ) .
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Tel Samen Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 3,701 ]  Percentage of households consuming iron, protein and vitamin A rich foods by frequency: Iron: Daily 0%, Sometimes 37% and Never 63%. Protein: Daily 38%, Sometimes 59% and Never 3%. Vitamin A: Daily 25%, Sometimes 66% and Never 9%.
[ 29 April 2021, NWS ]  Sonia Khush, Save the Children's Syria Response Director, said: “This is a desperately alarming situation. After ten years of conflict, we are now seeing children resorting to taking their own lives. It is incredibly sad that children are reaching a point where they see no other way out from a life where they cannot get an education, enough food or adequate shelter. This is a very serious problem that adds to the many challenges that Syria's population has been living with for over ten years.'
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  HEALTH FACILITY FUNCTIONALITY: Public Health Centres.   By end of the 4th Quarter 2020 and out of 1,790 assessed public health centres, 48%  ( 861 )  were reported fully functioning, 21%  ( 376 )  partially functioning  ( i.e., shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage of the building in some cases ) , 31%  ( 553 )  non functioning  ( completely out of service ) .   82%  ( 1,465 )  health centres were reported accessible, 3%  ( 54 )  hard to access, and 15%  ( 264 )  were inaccessible, while the accessibility status of 0.4%  ( 7 )  health centres were unknown.   The pharmacists represented  ( 1% )  of total health staff at centres' level, followed by resident doctors  ( 2% ) ; general practitioners  ( 4% ) ; laboratory  ( 6% ) ; Specialist  ( 7% ) ; dentists  ( 9% ) ; midwives  ( 11 % ) ; and nurses  ( 60% ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  % of communities where COVID 19 related barriers to access to services were reported: 0% education services were not always functioning in person because schools in the assessed location were closed by local authorities at least some days due to COVID 19.
[ MAR 2021, GoS ]  Total number of 68,570 lab tests were performed in public health laboratories in seven governorates Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Lattakia, Rural Damascus, and Hasakeh. The current testing rate is 336 tests per 100,000, and positivity rate is 27.6%.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Access to Electricity 5 6 hrs per day was the most commonly reported range for hours of electricity accessible to households  ( reported by KIs in 29% of communities ) . 47% of communities where KIs reported the main network is partially or completely not functioning as a barrier for electricity access.
[ 30 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  On May 30, Syrian Observatory activists monitored new low level of Euphrates river water, despite the statements by Turkish government regarding the start of opening dams and releasing Syria's share of water. However, Turkey returned to close the dams, which resulted in alarming decrease of water lever in the river. Meanwhile, power generation turbines stopped functioning, amid growing popular anger in the Syrian Jazeera region over Turkish seizure of Euphrates river water.
[  March 2021, NES & GoS ]  M o m, the national average retail price of wheat flour throughout Syria increased in March 2021 by 31 percent reaching SYP 1,983/kg. The wheat flour price also increased by 279 percent y o y. Tartous recorded the highest wheat flour price at SYP 2,320/kg  ( up 66 percent m o m ) , while Ar Raqqa recorded the lowest governorate average price, at SYP 1,627/kg  ( up 35 percent m o m ) . The national average retail price of wheat flour, broken down by regions, northwest Syria recorded the highest retail price at SYP 2,218/kg  ( up 33 percent m o m ) , followed by Syria's middle region at SYP 2,140/kg  ( up 32 percent m o m ) . Conversely, the cross border region recorded the lowest average retail price at SYP 1,684/kg  ( up 20 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 1,822/kg  ( up 41 percent m o m ) .
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Reported winter items availability and affordability  ( by % of communities ) : 91% heating fuel, 92% winterisation items is unaffordable for the majority of people.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  % of communities where COVID 19 risk indicators were reported: 14% Shortage of health workers reported as a barrier to healthcare access and 53% Lack of medicines or medical equipment at the health facility reported as 53 a barrier to healthcare access.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  1% of households reported that some members could not access latrines, with Girls  ( 0 17 )   ( 1% )  and Boys  ( 0 17 )   ( 1% )  being most frequently reported by households.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Access to Education Services % of communities in which half or less of the school aged children accessed school in the last 30 days for 31% residents and 59% IDPs. 10% of communities where KIs reported that the lack of access to internet, electricity and/or equipment was a barrier to accessing  ( online )  education services.
[  March 2021, GoS ]  M o m, the national average retail price of Egyptian white rice increased by 30 percent reaching SYP 2,757/kg in March 2021. The price of Egyptian white rice increased by 213 percent y o y. Quneitra recorded the highest price at SYP 3,279/kg  ( up 33 percent m o m ) , while Deir ez Zor recorded the lowest average retail price, at SYP 2,406/kg  ( up 32 percent m o m ) . The national average retail price of Egyptian white rice, m o m, the coastal region recorded the highest price at SYP 3,025/kg  ( up 29 percent m o m ) , followed by the southern region at SYP 3,007/kg  ( up 29 percent m o m ) . On the other hand, northeast Syria recorded the lowest price at SYP 2,538/kg  ( up 23 percent m o m ) , followed by the middle region at SYP 2,610/kg  ( up 36 percent m om ) .
[ March 2021, NWS ]  Estimated median monthly rent price for a two bedroom apartment: 51,045 SYP for Northwest Syria, 74,525 SYP for Greater Idleb area and 38,283 SYP for Northern Aleppo. % of communities where indicator was reported in following currencies: 35% SYP ( syrian pound ) , 48% TRY ( turkish lira )  and 17% USD ( united states dollar ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 39% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for women as a barrier to meeting basic needs.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Most commonly reported main sources of food: Markets in the camp 94%, Food distributions 89% and From markets outside the camp 47%.
[ March 2021, NWS ]  KIs in 15% of communities reported a lack of privacy for women and girls at health facilities as a barrier to healthcare access.
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  Average monthly household expenditure: 201,059 SYP  ( 52 USD ) . Top three reported expenditure categories: Food 100%, Healthcare 78% and Transportation 61%.
[ 9 May 2021, Overall Syria ]  On May 9, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activists in the Syrian Jazeera reported that a large number of irrigation stations were put out of service due to the continuous decrease in the water level of the Euphrates River, after Turkey retained Syria's share of the Euphrates's water, amid growing popular dissatisfaction in the Jazeera region. Meanwhile, many power generation turbines have been ceased in al Tabqah dam, due to the drop in water level, as well as the drying up of parts of it in several areas.
[  March 2021, NWS & GoS ]  M o m, the national average retail price of bulgur increased by 25 percent and it also increased by 215 percent y o y, reaching SYP 2,043/kg. Tartous recorded the highest bulgur average retail price at SYP 2,640/kg  ( up 25 percent m o m ) , while Idleb recorded the lowest average price at SYP 1,624/kg  ( up ten percent m o m ) . The coastal region recorded the highest average bulgur price by region at SYP 2,350/ kg  ( up 22 percent m o m ) , followed by the middle region at SYP 2,178/kg  ( up 27 percent m o m ) . The cross border region recorded the lowest average bulgur price at SYP 1,742/kg  ( up 13 percent m o m ) , followed by northeast Syria at SYP 1,901/kg  ( up 26 percent m o m ) .
[ March 2021, NES ]  KIs in 24% of communities reported a lack of employment opportunities for persons with a disability as a barrier to meeting basic needs.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average price of subsidized bread reached SYP 119/bundle in March 2021  ( up eight percent m o m and 147 percent y o y ) . The increase in the price of subsidized bread is due to the increased fees charged by bread agents  ( official traders allowed to re sell public bread )  as a result of increased transportation costs. The national average price of subsidized bread, broken down by regions, northwest Syria recorded the highest average price of SYP 2,060/bundle  ( up 13 percent m o m ) , followed by the cross border region at SYP 1,855/bundle  ( up 27 percent m o m ) . Conversely, northeast Syria recorded the lowest average price of SYP 1,224/bundle  ( down nine percent m o m ) , followed by the coastal region at SYP 1,303/bundle  ( up 16 percent m o m ) .
[ March 2021, NWS ]  As the number of positive COVID 19 cases rises slowly, access to health and adequate sanitation in the context of continuous displacement remains limited across the region, the humanitarian community is actively operating to deliver lifesaving assistance while ensuring the safety of the people
[ March 2021, Ar Raqqa governorate ]   [ Twahina Camp Overview: Number of individuals: 2,578 ]  52% of households reported that they had borrowed money in the 30 days prior to data collection; on average, these households had a debt load amounting to 180,706 SYP  ( 47 USD ) . Top three reported reasons for taking on debt: Food 96%, Healthcare 65% and Clothing or NFIs 29%.
[ 11 JUN 2021, NWS & NES ]  Despite increasing needs, the Security Council has voted twice over the past 18 months to restrict humanitarian access to the country, leaving just one crossing for life saving UN assistance to reach North West Syria, and completely cutting off UN cross border assistance to the North East, with dire consequences.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  In March 2021, the informal national average price of transport diesel continued to rise, increasing by 28 percent since February 2021 and by 283 percent since March 2020, reaching SYP 1,536/litre. The informal transport diesel price eight times higher than the formal price  ( SYP 174/litre ) . Idleb continued to report the highest average informal transport diesel price at SYP 2,814/litre  ( up 26 percent m o m ) , followed by Aleppo at SYP 2,145/litre  ( up 33 percent m o m ) . On the other hand, Al Hasakeh recorded the lowest average price at SYP 229/litre  ( up 13 percent m o m ) , followed by Ar Raqqa at SYP 678/litre  ( up three percent m o m ) . The informal national average price of transport diesel, broken down by regions, the cross border region recorded the highest average price at SYP 2,645/litre  ( up 26 percent m o m ) , while northeast Syria recorded the lowest price at SYP 566/litre  ( down eight percent m o m ) .
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Moreover, the informal national average price of heating diesel increased by 30 percent m o m  ( reaching SYP 1,630/litre )  mainly as a result of the increased demand for heating during the winter season and as a result of a continued decrease in fuel allocation by the government. The informal national average price of heating diesel, broken down by regions, the cross border region recorded the highest price at SYP 2,021/litre  ( up 22 percent m o m ) , while northeast Syria recorded the lowest price at SYP 803/litre  ( up three percent m o m ) .
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national non skilled labour wage, representing construction, off loading and agricultural labour, averaged SYP 5,780/day in March 2021, up ten percent m o m. Moreover, the wage rate was 99 percent above its y o y level and 26 percent above levels recorded in September 2020. Idleb recorded the highest daily wage rate at SYP 9,272/day  ( up 16 percent m om )  due to increased demand for higher wages as a result of general commodity price increases, while Deir ez Zor recorded the lowest daily wage rate at SYP 2,860/day  ( up three percent m o m ) . Broken down by regions, the cross border region recorded the highest wage rate of SYP 8,730/day  ( up 17 percent m o m ) . On the other hand, northeast Syria recorded the lowest wage rate of SYP 4,397/ day  ( up 12 percent m o m ) .
[ 29 April 2021, NES ]  The case count for northeast Syria now stands at 15,546 and already in April, over 5,300 new COVID cases have been confirmed   more than half of the total for the whole of 2020. 46% of tests have come back positive over the past 7 days   indicating that, even with the lab currently operational, not enough tests are being carried out, which highlights the extreme fragility of the health system in northeast Syria.
[ 17 APR, Overall Syria ]  About 90 percent of Syrian people have been living under the poverty line since 2020, according to Akjemal Magtymova, the World Health Organization  ( WHO )  representative in Syria. Syria also tops the list of the poorest countries in the world at a rate of 82.5 percent, according to global “World By Map' data.
[ 29 April 2021, NES ]  In addition to the urgent need for more testing supplies, COVID Treatment Facilities  ( CTFs )  in the region are also becoming overstretched   many are already at capacity and seven CTFs were forced to cease operating in March due to a lack of funding, with a further six now also at risk. Moreover, there is now an acute shortage of oxygen in Deir ez Zor. At least one hospital in Deir ez Zor has stated that it is running out of medicines, with management raising concerns that it may need to close its doors if they are not replenished.
[ 11 JUN 2021, NWS & NES ]  The humanitarian case for cross border assistance is more obvious today than ever before, with over 13 million Syrians in need – a 30% increase since 2014. 81% of people in the northwest and 69% in the northeast are in need of aid. Malnutrition in children under five is skyrocketing
[ 17 APR, Overall Syria ]  Ramadan has its own rituals, including a giant meal of flavorsome and hearty dishes. Attached to the ritual, based in Homs, Khaled Wahoud, reduced costly meat dishes ahead of Ramadan, saving what he could to afford beef, lamb, and chicken on the month of fasting.
[ 17 APR, Overall Syria ]  Based in Homs, Khaled Wahoud, the head of an 8 member family, has two jobs. He is a government employee by day and a taxi driver by night, with a monthly salary of 56,000 Syrian pounds  ( 17.5 USD ) . His sons also work; they have picked all sorts of odd jobs to help him. At the end of the day, all they can get is bare necessities. “These are difficult times! Even though we are working day and night, we can barely afford basic family needs; sometimes not all the needs,' Wahoud said.
[ 29 April 2021, NES ]  Misty Buswell, Policy and Advocacy Director for the IRC in the Middle East and North Africa, said “Testing capacity in the northeast has never been sufficient, and now it may be lost altogether. To date, only 41,500 tests have been carried out in the region and if the lab in Qamishli is no longer able to test, then the ability to control the spread of the virus in northeast Syria will be seriously compromised. Although the first doses of the vaccine have arrived in Syria, less than 100,000 have been allocated for the northeast, which is far too few to cover all frontline health workers and those most at risk in the region. As things stand, we do not know when these doses will reach the northeast but, although they will not be a silver bullet, they cannot get there soon enough. Currently, 83% of patients who receive invasive ventilation in the region are not surviving and we fear that things will only get worse. Treatment facilities are being forced to close due to a lack of funding, oxygen is beginning to run out, and COVID cases are reaching the highest levels seen to date. The health system is struggling to cope, and the situation is deteriorating extremely rapidly.'
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  The national average Terms of Trade between wheat flour and wage labour, a proxy indicator for purchasing power, decreased by 16 percent between February and March 2021, reaching 2.9 kgs of wheat flour/daily wage compared to 3.5 kgs of wheat flour in February 2021. The national average Terms of Trade ( ToT )  between wheat flour and wage labour also decreased by 33 percent compared to September 2020  ( six months ago )  and by 48 percent compared to March 2020. In other words, the national average daily wage of a non skilled labourer could buy 2.9 kgs of wheat flour in March 2021 compared to 4.3 kgs in September 2020, and 5.6 kgs in March 2020. This is lowest level recorded since monitoring of this indicator began in 2014, highlighting the persistent and continued deterioration of the purchasing power of the Syrian people. Broken down by regions, the cross border region recorded the highest ToT at 5.2 kgs  ( down three percent m o m ) . On the other hand, northwest Syria recorded the lowest ToT at 2.1 kgs  ( unchanged m o m ) .
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Between the first and second weeks of March, the Syrian pound depreciated by five percent reaching SYP 4,034/USD and as a result the prices of main food items immediately increased. Between the second and third weeks of March, the Syrian pound depreciated further by nine percent w o w, reaching the highest level in March at SYP 4,430/USD. The price of main food items significantly increased as a result of the volatile exchange rate and many shops closed for few days to avoid incurring significant price losses while waiting for stabilization in the exchange rate. As a result, the price of key food items such as vegetable oil soared by 22 percent, reaching SYP 9,226/litre w o w. During this period, there was shortage of vegetable oil in the market as factories and wholesalers decreased their supply due to the increased cost and also because they could not exceed the sale price ceiling set by the government. Moreover, during the same week, the price of red split lentils increased by 15 percent w o w, reaching SYP 2,734/kg, and the price of sugar, wheat flour and Egyptian white rice increased by ten percent, reaching SYP 2,481/kg, SYP 2,118/kg and SYP 2,862/kg, respectively. Between the third and fourth weeks of March, the Syrian pound strengthened by 15 percent. However, the price of main food items continued to increase in markets. The price of red split lentils and chickpeas both increased by 12 percent reaching SYP 3,064/kg and SYP 2,709/kg, respectively. Between the fourth and fifth weeks of March, the Syrian pound strengthened by a further three percent by which time the price of different food items had started decreasing. The price of vegetable oil and sugar recorded the biggest decreases, of 15 and 12 percent, reaching SYP 8,500/litre and SYP 2,326/kg, respectively. Even though the Syrian pound strengthened by the end of March, the price of all main food items was higher by the last week of March compared to the first week of the month. For example the price of red split lentils and wheat flour increased by 23 and 18 percent respectively by the last week of March compared to the first week, and the price of vegetable oil and Egyptian white rice increased by 17 and 16 percent, respectively.
[  March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Between February and March 2021, the price of all monitored COVID 19 items increased. The national average price of soap bars reached SYP 539/bar  ( up 24 percent m o m )  and the national average price of bleach reached SYP 1,456/ litre  ( up 16 percent m o m ) . The national average price of alcohol spray reached SYP 2,085/200 ml  ( up 14 percent m o m )  and of surgical masks reached SYP 391/mask  ( up seven percent m o m ) . Moreover, the national average price of gloves reached SYP 474/pair  ( up 30 percent m o m )  and that of hand gel reached SYP 1,117/50 ml  ( up nine percent m o m ) . Compared to September 2020, the price of surgeon masks, gloves and soap bars increased by five, 42 and 44 percent, respectively. Moreover, the price of alcohol spray, bleach and gel increased by 30, 38 and 20 percent, respectively. Additionally, the price of all items increased in March 2021 compared to February 2020  ( prior to the COVID 19 outbreak in Syria ) . The price of surgeon masks, alcohol spray and plastic gloves increased by 395, 399 and 607 percent, respectively. Also, the price of bleach, soap bars and hand gel increased by 250, 261 and 363 percent, respectively.
[ March 2021, GoS ]  During the last two weeks of March, the black market value of the pound experienced a sudden nine percent drop, causing many shops to close for a few days to avoid taking on significant price losses while waiting for the black market exchange to stabilise.
[ 30 June 2021, GoS ]  The Ministry said in a statement that the total number of infections in the country has reached up to 25515, of which 21825 have recovered and 1876 passed away.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Up to ninety per cent of the population is estimated to live under the poverty line, largely due to the recent severe economic decline. This is a 10% increase compared to previous years.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Half a million children are chronically malnourished and an additional 137 000 children under five years of age are suffering from acute malnutrition, heightening their exposure to preventable morbidity and mortality.
[ March 2021, Overall Syria ]  Due to the prolonged crisis, the health system in the Syrian Arab Republic has become weaker and even more fragile. According to the annual report of the International Health Regulations  ( IHR ) , the national capacity for health preparedness and response is considered as level 2 out of 5.
[ 11 March 2021, Overall Syria ]  2,286 confirmed cases were reported from schools in both teachers  ( 1,391 )  and students  ( 895 )  with 21 related deaths.
[ 11 JUN 2021, NWS ]  A failure to renew the resolution would also put a halt to the UN led COVID 19 vaccination campaign for people living in North West Syria, where there have been at least 24,257 confirmed COVID 19 cases and 680 reported deaths, amid a spike in infection rates in the last month. The actual number of COVID 19 cases is likely higher due to low testing capacities.
[ 11 March 2021, NWS, NES, Overall Syria ]  Of particular concern is the high number of health workers affected by the disease, with 4,088 reported cases among health staff in whole of Syria as of 11 March 2012 of them 2,692 in northwest and 792 in the northeast.
[ 15 June 2021, GoS ]  The living crisis continues in all areas of the regime, from power cuts for several hours, in addition to the continuous water cuts in several neighborhoods and cities, in addition to the outrageous high prices of basic materials .
[ 19 July 2021, GoS ]  The pay rise followed only days after the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection raised the litre price of fuel by 20 percent. Dairy prices have already jumped as a result, and other goods and transport dependent sectors can expect similar price shocks.
[ 17 July 2021, GoS ]  On 17 July, Syrian media reported that the Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Resources has carried out a study on the impact of halving, to 50 litres, the allocations for subsidised petrol. If the reduction does go into effect, consumers will be forced to make up the difference by resorting to more expensive unsubsidised fuel.
[ May 2021, Overall Syria ]  During the reporting period, more than one out of ten interviewed households  ( 11 percent )  reported poor food consumption in Syria, a decrease of three percentage points from a month earlier and the lowest national average level recorded since July 2020
[ May 2021, NES & GoS ]  At governorate level, in May 2021, Al Hasakeh  ( 22 percent )  recorded the highest proportion of households with poor food consumption, a nine percentage points increase month on month and a three fold rise from May 2020, followed by Ar Raqqa  ( 20 percent )  and Tartous  ( 15 percent ) .
[ April 2021, Overall Syria ]  While the national average rate of inadequate food consumption  ( poor and borderline combined )  decreased by 16 percent from March to April 2021, it remains almost 50 percent higher than the national average level recorded in April 2020. More than two out of five interviewed households in Syria  ( 43 percent )  reported poor food consumption in April 2021, more than double the level recorded in April 2020.