nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
Government of Afghanistan should cease the use of indirect fire  ( artillery shells, mortars, rockets and grenades )  and other explosive weapons with wide area effects, including air delivered munitions, in populated areas; continue to develop and improve tactical directives, rules of engagement and other procedures in relation to the use of armed aircraft;
Government of Afghanistan should develop and improve tactical directives, rules of engagement and other procedures that uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights obligations, increase the protection of civilians, transparency and accountability; and investigate all allegations of human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations with a view to ensuring accountability
All Pro Government Forces should conduct a timely and comprehensive review of target verification procedures and precautionary measures, including pattern of life assessments, particularly in the context of airstrike operations,with a view to evaluating their effectiveness and producing recommendations for improvement.
All Anti Government Elements should immediately cease any act of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on individuals.
United States Forces – Afghanistan  ( USFOR A )  should review and revise targeting policies towards individuals who are neither directly participating in hostilities nor performing a continuous combat function for an armed group to bring them in line with international humanitarian law.
International Military Forces should continue to support the Government of Afghanistan in implementing the National Policy on Civilian Casualty Prevention through the continued provision of training, resources and related support to the Afghan national security forces at the policy, operational and tactical levels, in particular to put in place mitigation measures to prevent harm to civilians from indirect fire, explosive weapons with wide area effects and armed aircraft.
International Military Forces should strengthen efforts to review incidents of civilian casualties with Afghan counterparts where they result from partnered operations; provide further training and assistance to Afghan national security forces in conducting effective battle damage assessments; and increase engagements with affected communities, including through Afghan partners, on incidents in which civilian casualties have occurred.
73% of the respondents went to Iran in search of livelihoods opportunities, 19% due to conflict, 5% to visit family/relatives, 2% for medical treatment, and 1% for other reasons. When comparing this with the data collected in 2020, the findings show an increase in the per centage of those respondents who cited that they left Afghanistan due to conflict. In 2020, this figure was 15% among the total sample size  ( 40,861 interviews with returnees and deportees from Iran ) .
During the same period, UNHCR's border monitoring activities conducted through partners using individual and household level interviews reached a total of 6,866 returnees and deportees  ( 4,812 M and 2,054 F )  upon their entry into Afghanistan from Iran at Zaranj/Milak  ( 2,557 )  and Islam Qala  ( 745 ) , and from Pakistan at Spin Boldak/Chaman  ( 2,054 )  and Torkham  ( 1,510 ) . These include 4,660 single individuals and 2,206 heads of households who returned with their families. Some 5,133  ( 75% )  were selected randomly for interviews while 1,733  ( 25% )  interviews were self selection. In general, the majority of returnees/deportees from Iran are single males.
Reduced water quality also aids in the spread of disease, particularly AWD.
Insufficient spacing at health and nutrition facilities continues to be a challenge in terms of enforcing physical distancing in 2021.
A drought has not yet been officially declared and advocacy continues around the need for an early, evidence based decision on this by the Government. Contingency planning is proceeding on the basis of worsening humanitarian need as a result of the La Niña weather pattern and is not dependent on a declaration, although it is likely that this would unlock additional funding opportunities.
After low winter rainfall and high temperatures associated with a La Niña weather event, initial indicators suggest that drought like conditions are likely over spring and will have significant impact across all regions of the country. Thin snowpack indicates there is likely to be less water available as a result of snow melt over the months ahead.
There is need for additional breastfeeding corners to be established at nutrition sites to ensure appropriate physical distancing measures.
Nutrition Cluster partners report that behavioural change communication  ( BCC )  materials related to COVID 19 are needed for nutrition department staff and community workers. Additionally, more capacity building on nutrition and nutritional guidance in the context of COVID 19 is needed for health and nutrition workers, including nutrition counsellors.
Additional production of MUAC tape is needed for children and PLW ( Pregnant and Lactating Women )
There is a need for additional MHNTs  ( Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams )  that integrate psychosocial counsellors to provide timely detection and treatment of malnutrition cases as well as to address GBV issues faced by caregivers or community members. Moreover, the MHNTs are particularly needed in all priority provinces as well as in the so called “white areas'   those that are lacking government run health centres and hospitals due to the conflict – including Hirat, Laghman and Kunar provinces.
Although Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams have scaled up to move services closer to the community, COVID 19 continues to impact health and nutrition service seeking habits by community members, resulting in delayed nutritional status diagnosis of children, slower nutritional gain and/or lower admission at the facilities.
Malnutrition is on the rise and is putting people at increased risk to COVID 19
Mine risk education will be a life saving tool to protect people on the move in new areas, where they are not familiar with the local dangers.
While 14 laboratories are now operating in Afghanistan, the capacity of these facilities remains limited and stocks of supplies have periodically run out. National capacity for COVID 19 testing has topped 5,500 a day, but according to WHO, lack of demand means that fewer than 1,500 tests are actually being conducted daily.
More than 8 per cent of the total confirmed COVID 19 cases are among healthcare staff. With a second wave of the gathering pace globally, there is an urgent need to ensure a rapid distribution of medical and protective equipment to all corners of the country.
According to WFP's market monitoring, the average wheat flour price  ( low price and high price )  increased by 12 per cent between 14 March 2020 and the first week of March 2021, while the cost of pulses, sugar, cooking oil and rice  ( low quality )  increased by 25 per cent, 21 per cent, 58 per cent, and 21 per cent, respectively, over the same period.
Onion: The average price increased by 0.7% compared to the fourth week of January. Prices considerably increased in Ghor by  ( 17% )  and in Kandahar by  ( 5% ) . The main reasons for the increase was temporary supply shortfall.
Cooking Oil: The average price fell by 0.1% compared to the fourth week of January, but remained 47% higher than 14 March. The decrease occurred in: Baghlan and Kunduz  ( 5% ) , Farah and Badakhshan  ( 4% )   ( low demand due to Dasterkhan Mili in this week ) , Takhar  ( 3% )  and Nimroz  ( 1% ) , due to improved supply during reporting period. Meanwhile prices increased in: Kandahar  ( 8% ) , Khost  ( 7% ) , Hilmand  ( 3% ) , due to decreased supply and disruption in source point.
Wheat Flour  ( Low Price ) : The average price slightly reduced by 0.3% compared to the fourth week of January but remained 13% higher than 14 March.The decrease occurred in: Bamyan  ( 9% ) , Daykundi  ( 3% ) , Takhar, Badakhshan, Nangarhar and Badghis  ( 2% )  due to WFP food assistance in Bamyan and Daykundi and the rest improved supply. Prices increased in Ghor, Urozgan and Hilmand  ( 3% )  due to high transportation costs. Also, As the price of high quality wheat flour rises, a proportion of demands shifts to low price flour and subsequently increased demand in this type of wheat flour led to higher prices for this commodity.
Availability of safe drinking water is often affected by flooding and water purification supplies are often needed.
Well communicated referral pathways and service mapping are a priority.
Displacement and economic stress may increase the risk of school drop outs, in turn exposing children to further risks such as child labour as families struggle to survive.
Prices are already elevated above pre COVID prices and will likely rise further, while markets remain largely functional and accessible, suggesting that cash based interventions should be an important part of the response.
Previous epidemics illustrate the value of engaging with women when communicating about risks: • Women are a disproportionate part of the health workforce. • As primary caregivers to children, the elderly, and the ill, we must recognise and engage women in risk communication and community engagement • When we don't recognize gendered dynamics during outbreaks, we limit the effectiveness of risk communication efforts • Women's access to information on outbreaks and available services are severely constrained when community engagement teams are dominated by men • Tailoring community engagement interventions for gender, language, and local culture improves communities' uptake with interventions
Containment in hospitals where people can receive medical care and can be isolated from each other is the approach recommended by WHO, where such facilities exist.
In February, Awaaz started to collaborate with the World Health Organisation  ( WHO )  to raise awareness and inform callers about COVID 19. In close coordination with WHO, Awaaz recorded awareness raising messages which had been heard by 1,975 callers from throughout the country by the end of the February. Up until 14 March, the message was played to an additional 2,695 callers, either while they were on hold or when calling outside of Awaaz's operating hours.
Global guidance has been issued on ways to ensure responders are communicating in an appropriate and effective way with marginalised and vulnerable groups on COVID 19 risks and prevention measures
In focus group discussions, women also said they often preferred to share concerns about their needs for humanitarian assistance via letters directed to Directorate of Women's Affairs, as a result of its connections with women's organisations.
In the Whole of Afghanistan Assessment, the majority of displaced households reported that their preferred communication modality with aid providers was either via the phone/SMS  ( 49 per cent )  or via a community leader  ( 34 per cent ) . However, these preferences are not static and appear to change over time, by gender and according to geography, suggesting the need for frequent reality checks on the best ways to reach specific beneficiaries in any given location at any given time.
With regard to communications preferences, the Whole of Afghanistan  ( WOA )  Assessment results from late 2019 clearly showed that a one size fits all approach to communication should be avoided in Afghanistan.
Clusters have prioritised a number of preparedness and response activities to simultaneously manage existing and COVID 19 related needs.
At the regional level, Humanitarian Regional Teams are engaged in local planning for the outbreak and are liaising closely with local Government and health authorities. Price rises in local markets are being monitored by staff on the ground. In the West, focal points have been identified for each of the relevant pillars under this plan and 3Ws  ( Who does what where )  are being collated.
The humanitarian community's overall efforts towards the response are coordinated under the Humanitarian Country Team as the strategic decision making body and the inter Cluster Coordination Team as its operational arm.
Against this backdrop, a medium to strong La Niña event is causing below average precipitation, thin snowpack and above average temperatures in most parts of the country and it is expected that farmers and pastoralists will be negatively affected.
The UN and non government organisations are actively supporting response activities with MoPH or the relevant line ministry  ( e.g Ministry of Education )  to address preparedness and emergency coordination, particularly in the border provinces with Iran and Pakistan  ( Nangarhar, Kandahar, Nimroz and Hirat )  Support includes: secondment of staff for cross border surveillance; material support; publication of MoPH and WHO Information, Education and Communication  ( IEC )  materials; billboards; community level awareness raising and sensitisation efforts through health education sessions and Displacement Tracking Matrix focus group discussions; and use of IOM transit facilities as temporary isolation/quarantine spaces.
The nominal retail price of wheat grain in Kandahar is maximum in January 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.
The Ministry of Public Health  ( MoPH )  has enacted a series of committees to prepare, contain and respond to COVID 19: 1. Surveillance and Early Detection 2. Coordination and Resource Mobilisation 3. Health and Mental Health Care Provision 4. Health and Mental Health Promotion and Risk Communication 5. Infection Prevention and Protection
Women, the elderly, adolescents, youth, and children, persons with physical and psychological disabilities, indigenous populations, refugees, migrants, and minorities experience the highest degree of socio economic marginalisation.
In rural areas, with the lack of income due to any reduced movement, people will have to prioritise the money they have left for life sustaining needs such as health, food and education.
Children and families who are already vulnerable due to socio economic exclusion or those who live in overcrowded settings are particularly at risk.
According to IOM, Hirat, Nimroz, Kabul, Balkh, Faryab are the top five provinces that are at the highest risk due to their greater connectivity to outbreak provinces in Iran.
As many returnees are going home to chronically under developed areas with limited to no health service provision the risk of undetected transmission is significant.
Humanitarian partners' capacity to stay and deliver on the priorities outlined within the 2020 revision of the multiyear Humanitarian Response Plan is threatened by the COVID 19 outbreak.
Due to the current favorable breeding season in the region there could be three times higher than normal breeding rates of desert locust swarms in Iran. Another potential source of desert locusts could be from the Horn of Africa that could spread as far as India.
Restrictions on movement, including health checkpoints and quarantine can create opportunities for abuse of power and/or  ( sexual )  exploitation and abuse. In such circumstances, in order to reduce exploitation, it is critical that assistance continues to be distributed impartially, according to need and in line with people's specific vulnerabilities Specific protections must be consistently provided to female , elderly , child headed households and women, girls, men and boys living with physical and psychosocial disabilities.
Lockdowns, quarantines and other such measures to contain and combat the spread of COVID 19 should always be carried out in strict accordance with human rights standards and in a way that is necessary and proportionate to the evaluated risk.
As of 24 March, most major international border crossings are closed excepting the Iranian frontier which remains open. Pakistan's borders are closed to people crossing but sporadic openings have permitted a small number of commercial vehicles to cross.
The Government has also decided to close all schools until 30 April and is considering a range of other restrictions on public gatherings, transportation and related actions.
Laboratory testing capacity is currently being expanded. While Afghanistan has recently received deliveries of diagnostic kits from UAE and China, diagnostic testing is still stretched given the increasing demand.
Livestock prices were also stable  ( increased 3 percent )  between October and November 2020, with November prices 18 percent higher than last year and 30 percent above average. Livestock prices are generally compensating for high wheat flour prices, with purchasing power of pastoralists seven percent above last year and four percent above average at the national level, though significant variation exists across provinces.
In response to the outbreak, the Government of Afghanistan has developed a master response plan for the health sector and has established a High Level Emergency Coordination Committee in the area of health with various technical working groups  ( Surveillance and Early Detection; Coordination and Resource Mobilisation; Health Care Provision; Health Promotion and Risk communication; Infection prevention and protection ) ; and efforts are ongoing to establish sub national coordination structures particularly in Hirat province which has the highest number of confirmed cases to date
Afghanistan's close proximity to the Islamic Republic of Iran – a global hotspot for the virus – puts the country at heightened risk, with tens of thousands of people and commercial movements across the border from Iran each day.
IDPs reported distress about eviction as they have reduced capacity to make rent payments as their displacement protracts, increasing risk of reliance on negative coping strategies, including incurring debt.
Government of Afghanistan should strengthen age assessment and vetting procedures, and expand the functions of the Child Protection Units in the Afghan National Police to incorporate proactive monitoring at check posts to prevent and stop incidents of use of children in combat and non combat roles by members of the Afghan national security forces;
Government of Afghanistan should continue to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan national security forces to effectively conduct counterIED operations,including IED exploitation, and ensure that the Government dedicates all necessary resources to ensure the full implementation of the national counter IED strategy;
Government of Afghanistan should bring the National Directorate Special Forces, which appear to fall outside of the official Governmental chain of command and to be coordinated with foreign actors, under full control of theNational Directorate of Security; immediately disband and disarm all pro  Government armed groups, including the Khost Protection Force and Shaheen Forces, or formally incorporate their members into the Afghan national security forces following a robust vetting procedure
The Taliban should ensure access for humanitarian deminers in territory under their effective control;
The Taliban should cease all actions which place civilians at risk, especially co location of military objectives and civilians;
The Taliban should immediately stop using victim operated IEDs such as pressure plate IEDs, which function as improvised anti personnel mines, and uphold previous commitmentsmadeconcerning the banning of anti personnel mines
PROJECTED OUTLOOK THROUGH MAY 2021: In rural areas, most households will likely continue to rely on their food stocks throughout the majority of the lean season. Given average to above average production and favorable livestock body conditions and livestock prices in most areas, most rural households are expected to meet minimum food consumption needs throughout the projection period. However, given expectations for below average income, many poor households will likely be unable to meet their essential non food needs, with Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  outcomes likely to persist throughout the projection period.
PROJECTED OUTLOOK THROUGH MAY 2021: In areas where production was below average or where production amounts are typically lower  ( such as in the highlands )  and in areas severely affected by conflict, deterioration to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  is expected as the lean seasons progresses from February through May 2021.
In urban areas, income from casual labor opportunities and remittances from abroad are still expected to be below average. This is also a time of seasonally low availability of casual labor opportunities given cold weather. Meanwhile, most staple food prices remain significantly above average. As a result, many poor households are expected to be facing food consumption gaps in the absence of humanitarian assistance, with Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes likely at the area level.
In November, the government of Afghanistan began implementation of the Dastarkhan e Milli COVID 19 relief program which aims to support 90 percent of households throughout Afghanistan in both rural and urban areas. According to government sources, food packages were distributed to 34,087 households around 83 districts in Afghanistan from November 8 to December 24, 2020.
IDPs reported that there are no toilets or bathrooms in their homes, and open defecation is a common practice, resulting in challenges for People living with Disability and health concerns in the community.
Based on OPD Severe Acute Malnutrition  ( SAM )  data, in the last eight months  ( April 2020 to November 2020 )  180,124 children under five with severe acute malnutrition were admitted into the OPD SAM program, around similar level with the same period of last year. Overall, admissions in the OPD SAM program have slightly decreased in 2020 relative to 2019.
[ According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock  ( MAIL ) , ]  Meanwhile, casual labor wages have decreased by around 4 percent from July to November 2020 at the national level, in line with seasonal trends. However, wages were generally stable  ( decreased by 1 percent )  between October and November 2020, at levels similar to the same time last year  ( 3 percent below )  and average levels  ( 1 percent below ) .
Among those displaced due to conflict in 2020, only 177,954  ( 53 percent )  were assisted with food security and agriculture packages. Overall, the majority of displacements thus far in 2020 have occurred in the northeastern, northern, and eastern regions. It should be noted that patterns of conflict and displacement remain volatile.
IDPs are settled in unfinished houses where they pay AFN 3,000 4,000 monthly rent to landlords. With no source of income and limited employment opportunities, IDPs are unable to make their rent payments.
PROJECTED OUTLOOK THROUGH MAY 2021: In urban areas, poor households will likely continue to experience below average purchasing power due to reduced income opportunities during the winter months, below average remittances, and above average food prices. Poor households who do not receive external assistance or who exhaust the assistance will likely face food consumption gaps and Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes throughout the projection period.
According to the Cross Border Return and Reintegration  ( CBRR )  data of the IOM, 838,192 undocumented Afghan migrants have returned from Iran and Pakistan from January 1 to December 19, 2020, which is overall 30 percent above the five year average for this period. Of these, only 10 percent received humanitarian assistance upon arrival in Afghanistan.
However, because of the high wheat flour prices, the purchasing power of casual labors in November was 12 percent lower than last year and 21 percent below average at the national level, and below average in nearly all provinces.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock  ( MAIL ) , wheat flour prices at the national level have been generally stable from July to November 2020, at 34 35 AFN/kg on average. However, prices in November 2020 were 10 percent higher than the same time last year and 24 percent above the three year average.
In August and September 2020, monthly displacement figures were around 63,000 and 68,000 people, respectively; in only five months since the beginning of 2017 were equal or higher totals recorded. In November and early December, most conflict induced displacement occurred in Takhar, Nangarhar, and Badakhshan provinces.
Panic buying and border disruptions supported inflation, which rose to 5.4% in 2020 and is expected to edge down gradually over 2021 22.
Afghan authorities were quick to remove most Covid 19 restrictions in 2020, but reduced remittance from the Afghan diaspora, paired with trade disruptions pulled the economy into recession.
Afghanistan's first COVAX consignment of 468,000 AstraZeneca COVID 19 vaccine doses arrived in Kabul on March 8. The vaccines will protect teachers and university staff from the novel coronavirus. Above, UNICEF Afghanistan Immunization Manager Sanjay Bhardwaj, left, and UNICEF Afghanistan Chief of Communication Sam Mort inspect the shipment at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Funding towards requirements identified in this plan should be channelled through HRP partners.
Recommendations : When feasible, identify protection actors in the area; O Protection actors could potentially advise on the distribution location or community measures/safety nets to ensure women and other at risk groups can safely access and spend their cash. O Protection actors could support the distribution process by identifying vulnerable people/groups and organizing safe transport etc. O If there are issues observed in relation to Protection and/or GBV, cases can be referred to protection actors in the area.
Donors are recommended to scale up funding for GBV and Child Protection interventions, including support for risk identification and prevention, and information dissemination on rights of vulnerable groups.
Recommendations : Carefully consider the location of the distribution to ensure that all vulnerable groups have safe access: O Preferably a location that does not require recipients to cross a checkpoint  ( reducing the exposure to AOGs )  O Close vicinity to target villages; O Maximum of 1 2 km walking distance – to ensure accessibility for disabled and/or elderly o Preferably a distribution point that is close to the market in order to provide vulnerable groups with the opportunity to directly purchase items and reduce the risks of carrying cash.
Recommendations : Sensitize cash recipients on the benefits of consulting both male and female household members on decisions relating to cash expenditure, which could notably lead to increased savings for future household needs.
Recommendations : Consider other arrangements for vulnerable groups, such as verified caretakers supporting or escorting the recipient to the distribution point. Encourage beneficiaries to travel in mixed groups of men and women if culturally acceptable   which might reduce risks of harassment or attacks while travelling to distribution points or market places.
Young children were observed without adequate winter clothes and shoes, and were at risk of exposure in 2021.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Donors should require a conflict analysis to be conducted before project implementation, as well as integration of conflict sensitivity measures into project design, which should go beyond merely collecting data on access and security. It is also recommended that donors allow for the use of ‘crisis modifiers'. Without a change in funding policies, NGOs will struggle to become more conflict sensitive.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop a habit of considering how proposed interventions might affect peace and conflict in a given community. Allocate sufficient human and financial resources to 1 )  understand the potential negative consequences of aid and 2 )  take predictive and preventative measures.
What was striking is that many interviewees had never given any thought as to whether interventions they implement are conflict sensitive. However, differences in attitude were noticed: some interviewees seemed unwilling to even acknowledge that a humanitarian intervention could lead to tensions or conflict, while others claimed that it is a very common occurrence. Naturally, staff whose responsibilities included conducting context analyses had a better understanding of conflict sensitivity than those whose focus was on technical issues
RECOMMENDATIONS: Set up an informal conflict sensitivity working group, or follow the example from South Sudan, a Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility.
RECOMMENDATIONS: All humanitarian actors should increase their focus on identifying evidence based lessons learned and information sharing regarding conflict sensitivity for the good of the entire humanitarian community.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Consider longer term implications of humanitarian interventions and programming, not just for one's own organisation, but for all other organisations working in Afghanistan. Likewise, consider how our interventions over time could empower unintended actors.
Few men reported that they have heard about passports and marriage certificates, but view them as unnecessary.
MPCA (  Multi Purpose Cash Assistance )  support is recommended to reduce reliance on negative coping strategies, and to mitigate risk of eviction of IDPs due to rent costs.
IDPs reported that as a coping mechanism for limited financial resources, IDP HHs are restricting food consumption to one meal per day, particularly for women and children.
Health clinics are not available in the area of displacement and IDPs have to walk 10 to 15 minutes to public transport to reach the nearest clinic.
IDPs reported no knowledge of the Data Management and Communications hotline for escalating information on presence of mines.
Women reported no knowledge about the presence of Unexploded Ordance in the area.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Integrate conflict sensitivity in all stages of project management in a systematic manner. Include questions regarding conflict sensitivity in existing needs assessments, thus not increasing financial or human resources and not slowing down the pace of the response. Integrating conflict and political indicators into predictive analysis can help prevent crises.
Livelihoods and/or income generation projects are recommended targeting both IDP and host communities.
Health services  ( primary and MHPSS ( Mental Health and Psychosocial support )  is recommended, including prenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women.
Emergency food distribution recommended to support IDPs and reduce negative coping mechanisms such as restricted food consumption, particularly among women and children.
Awareness raising and signposting on rights, entitlements, available services and civil documentation are recommended for displaced communities.
Oxfam's research found that interviewees had very diverse understanding of the meaning and importance of conflict sensitivity. Only a small portion of interviewees could fully explain it, while others did not seem to know the term, but instinctively knew what it meant. There were also those who stated to understand the concept, but then confused it with access, safe programming, cultural awareness or AOG activity and lastly there were some who were not familiar with the term at all. This was found across various organisations and at all levels
To Member States and partners, thank you for your generous donations towards the humanitarian response plan in Afghanistan, some $555 million; and thank you to those who have contributed to the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, which together provided $104 million to aid operations in 2020.
Afghanistan continues to be one of the most difficult and deadly operating environments for aid workers. In 2020, 23 6 aid workers were killed, 53 injured and 111 abducted.
Some 100,000 further doses have been earmarked for humanitarian caseloads through the COVAX facility, using funding from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, although details on how the logistics costs of distribution will be managed are still under discussion. Further discussions are also underway with China on potential donation of additional vaccines.
A technical working group comprised of government and UN organisations and chaired by the Ministry of Public Health has developed plans for vaccine operations, cold chain management, communication, surveillance, training and monitoring and evaluation/data, and will complement the existing Vice Presidential COVID 19 Task Force.
The Government of Afghanistan and the UN have initiated a number of steps to prepare for the rollout of a COVID 19 vaccine across the country, including the development of a National Vaccine Deployment Plan  ( NVDP ) .
. National capacity for COVID 19 testing has topped 5,800 a day however these laboratories are not being fully utilised.
While 15 laboratories are now operating in Afghanistan, the capacity of these facilities remains limited and stocks of supplies have periodically run out
Health facilities across the country continue to report shortfalls in PPE, medical supplies and equipment, further challenging their capacity to treat COVID 19 patients.
Almost eight per cent of the total confirmed COVID 19 cases are among healthcare staff and they will be the highest priority when vaccines are available.
WHO stresses the need to balance the demands of responding directly to COVID 19, with simultaneously engaging in strategic planning and coordinated action to maintain essential health service delivery, mitigating against the risk of system collapse.
Between 22 and 28 January, more than 11,000 patients were served by IOM's 7 mobile health teams while close to 9,000 returnees were screened for tuberculosis.
Violence in Afghanistan is countrywide. The deliberate targeting of civilians, targeted assassinations and indiscriminate attacks resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties, has been a persistent feature of the conflict.
Afghanistan now has the second highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world  ( 5.5 million ) , while nearly one in two children underfive will face acute malnutrition in 2021.
Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever  ( CCHF )  trends in Afghanistan have been steadily increasing since 2013  ( when 45 cases were reported ) , with upsurges in 2018  ( 483 cases )  and 2019  ( 583 cases ) , partly explained by the enhancement of surveillance systems and improved reporting. A sharp drop followed in 2020 when 184 cases were reported including 15 deaths.
209 out of the 401 districts of the country's 34 provinces experienced different security related events in February 2021, with the provinces of Kandahar and Hilmand in Southern Region and Nangarhar in Eastern Region the most affected by events of various types in both February and January. With the continuing trend seen for the first two months of 2021, the security situation across the country remains volatile and continues to impact on the civilian population in terms of insecurity, uncertainty and socio economic growth
Based on security related data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data  ( ACLED )  Project, there were 885 recorded incidents in February 2021, 23 incidents more than the number recorded in January 2021. Around 58% of these incidents featured Battles or Armed clashes over territorial control between government and non state actors with the majority occurring in the Southern Region of Afghanistan.
On 7 February, AAF conducted at least one airstrike, targeting an NSAG TB gathering near a government run school, which also serves as an NGO hub school. The school as well as an NGO run clinic nearby sustained collateral damage. The incident highlights the continuous need for discussions on IHL and the protection of schools and health facilities.
In the Western Region, two partners shared concerns about interference by government officials in their operations. In one case, government officials temporarily stopped a distribution requesting to add names to the beneficiary list and in another case, the partner was concerned that government officials partaking in distributions were taking pictures and using them for political purposes.
During the reporting period covering February 2021, the Humanitarian Access Group  ( HAG )  recorded 147 access impediments, compared to 180 IN FEBRUARY 2021 incidents recorded during January . Movement restrictions constituted 41 per cent of the access impediments, followed by violence against humanitarian staff and assets  ( 26 per cent )  and interference with humanitarian activities  ( 17 per cent ) .
WHO advises that there is an SOP for transporting of samples. All samples should be transported in the same way that Polio samples are moved to Kabul from each province.
Women, girls and children in the country are often unable to fully participate in civil life, face heightened risks of discrimination and abuse if divorced, separated or widowed, including expulsion, forced remarriage and hampered property ownership.
Since mid February, at least eight NGO partners received a mail from an unknown individual, claiming to be a member of the NSAG TB Military Commission. In the letter, partners were asked to hire NSAG TB affiliated individuals and while the letter uses certain NSAG TB insignia  ( crest, stamp ) , the letter template as well as the font used differs from authenticated letters from an NSAG TB Commission. The author of the letter asks for confidentiality and not to share the letter with third parties. This is atypical for a letter issued by an official NSAG TB Commission. Usually, their communication is not addressed to individual NGOs but rather to the broader community and further circulation of their communique is usually welcomed
WHO recommends implementing leadership, coordination and joint national planning using the ‘One health' approach where multiple sectors such as animal health, agriculture, environment, veterinary services, and researchers actively collaborate to enhance long term efforts to control Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever  ( CCHF )  as well as other zoonotic diseases.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to lead and involve other stakeholders in response activities. These include enhancing surveillance through the daily reporting of cases and deaths, conducting trainings for rapid response teams with a focus on Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever  ( CCHF ) , and distributing communication materials in high risk provinces.
Several international organizations, including ECHO's funded ERM  ( Emergency Response Mechanism )  programme, provided multipurpose cash grants in some of the affected provinces other than the ones targeted by this DREF.
The health cluster has expanded the national laboratory capacity in Kabul to conduct more than 50 tests per day. A laboratory has also been established in Hirat and is now able to test samples.
According to FSAC (  Food Security and Agriculture Cluster ) , food assistance was provided to 39,592 beneficiaries and livelihood assistance to 44,520 beneficiaries during the last quarter of 2020. Each household received assistance equivalent to 120 USD.
Due to the distances required to walk during the displacement process, many elderly, People livin with disabilities, and pregnant women were left behind in their area of origin and remain at risk due to the armed conflict.
10 males and 16 female participants reported that their children are displaying symptoms of psychosocial distress including frequent nightmares, excessive crying and difficulty sleeping due to the armed conflict.
• 155,871 IEC  [ information, education, and communication ]  materials distributed by Nutrition Cluster Partners.
Suspected and confirmed cases of COVID 19 are again rising in the western part of the country in particular, with pressure on hospitals steadily increasing.
395,148 community members reached with COVID 19 awareness raising sessions by Nutrition Cluster Partners.
2,460 teachers trained on safe school protocols for COVID 19 for when schools re open by Education Cluster Partners. .
319,137 children across 4 provinces sensitised on COVID 19 and preventive measures through TV and radio by Education Cluster Partners.
WASH cluster partners also have a strong role to play in infection prevention and control through the installation of water and handwashing points at health facilities.
Health partners have so far delivered medical equipment  ( ventilators, IPC materials, hospital and lab consumables, etc. )  to eight facilities. Partners further provided PPE, masks and essential infection prevention supplies to health facilities in eight priority provinces. Health partners have also trained some 360 healthcare workers on case management and infection prevention and control.
100,674 children across 11 provinces received IEC  [ information, education, and communication ]  materials on COVID 19 preventative measures by Education Cluster Partners.
• 81,624 children across 4 provinces received education through small group learning by Education Cluster Partners.
• 4,037 persons with specific needs  ( PSNs )  received cash assistance across the country to help them cope with the financial impact of COVID 19 by Protection Cluster Partners .
276,308 people received community based awareness raising on the protection of children and positive coping mechanisms during the COVID 19 pandemic by Protection Cluster Partners .
790 children received COVID 19 story books from Protection Cluster Partners .
According to Food Security and Agricultural Cluster  ( FSAC )  partners, around 2 million beneficiaries were targeted with food assistance during the fourth quarter of 2020, while about 653,000 were targeted for livelihoods support. Food assistance beneficiaries were more concentrated in Kabul, Herat, Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Kandahar, and Balkh provinces, where the number beneficiaries exceeded one hundred thousand within each province
Income earning from labor migration to other adjacent provinces like Kabul and Kandahar  ( the main labor markets for Uruzgan labors )  is also limited due to poor economic conditions compounded by recent impacts of COVID 19 on the local economy.
According to field reports, though levels of remittances are gradually improving, they are still less than normal. Field reports from a majority of the provinces  ( 28 of 34 )  reported lower than normal remittance levels, while the rest reported them at normal levels.
visa restrictions and strict controls on the Iranian border are likely restricting migration of Afghans to Iran. As a result, remittances from Iran are likely below average. Remittances from other countries such as Pakistan and in the Gulf are also expectedly lower than average as economic activity in migrant hosting economies was reduced by COVID 19 in 2020. This has impacted households dependent on remittances as their main income source in both rural and urban areas.
According to Cross Border Return and Reintegration  ( CBRR )  data of the International Organization for Migration  ( IOM ) , 865,793 undocumented Afghan migrants returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2020, only 10% of whom received humanitarian assistance upon arrival in Afghanistan
Agricultural labor opportunities are at seasonally low levels and are also below average due to the impacts of conflict and below average precipitation.
Due to continued armed conflict, access to markets has been restricted, often preventing livestock keepers from selling both livestock and livestock products. This has consequently decreased households' income from this source.
A second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic was confirmed in November 2020 by the Ministry of Public Health. While three had been some signs the number of new cases was slowing in early January, MoPH tracking data has recently seen an uptick in cases, with an average of 45 cases a day between 27 January and 2 February.
Despite the increased need for health services due to COVID 19, health facilities and workers continue to suffer harm from attacks, as well as acts of intimidation by parties to the conflict.
The number of people in need has doubled from 9.4 million at the start of 2020 to 18.4 million in 2021 – of a population of 40.4 million.
The health and socio economic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic have seen the number of people in need almost double in the past year alone.
Hospitals and clinics continue to report challenges maintaining or expanding their facilities' capacity to treat patients with COVID 19, as well as maintaining essential health services, especially in areas of active conflict.
Findings revealed that distributing the cash to a woman in a male headed household could lead to increased tension if the husband did not agree, and is not recommended for winterization or shelter assistance. In addition, a woman mentioned that receiving cash can create conflict in multiple households. In her case, she was the second wife of her husband, but she became the head of her household after her husband died because his first wife has a disability. When the first wife heard she was selected to receive the winterization assistance, she was upset and the situation created conflict at the household level.
Afghan Red Crescent Society, using its existing resources such as available household items and hygiene kits in its warehouses, mobile health teams, and Basic Health Clinics, distributed the kits as well as provided basic health and treatment services to the people in need in five provinces  ( Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Paktika, and Maidan Wardak ) . Under this DREF operation, Afghan Red Crescent Societyhave been providing emergency food assistance to 5,000 floods affected households
The water inundated and damaged the irrigational system and agriculture lands where more than 70 per cent of affected population relying on this sector as their primary means of livelihoods. Parwan Province as the most affected among all has also experienced livestock loss and productive assets damage. The disruption on local market, related to access and supply chain, worsened the food insecurity among the affected people.
The results of joint needs assessment, conducted by the emergency operation committees comprised of government departments, UN agencies, Afghan Red Crescent Society, and international NGOs, informed that emergency food security, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter, and livelihoods recovery were amongst the key and immediate needs of the populations affected by the floods.
Turkish Red Crescent Society  ( TRCS )  has been working in Afghanistan on health and livelihoods programming and supported ARCS in the immediate response to drought and floods. Afghan Red Crescent Society through the support of TRCS has provided one off food assistance to 1,000 households in the immediate aftermath of the flash floods.
The Danish Red Cross extends their support to the Afghan Red Crescent Society in psychosocial support  ( PSS )  together with ICRC, volunteers management and youth mobilization activities in Afghanistan.
The Canadian Red Cross has played a critical role over the past year to develop Afghan Red Crescent Society disaster management capabilities, including through Branch Disaster Management Teams.
The Norwegian Red Cross has in country presence and strongly supports Afghan Red Crescent Society network of 45 clinics with health interventions, WASH and CBHFA activities across the country.
Border Crossings: The Milak  ( Nimroz )  and Islam Qala Dogharoon  ( Hirat )  crossings with Iran are officially open to commercial traffic and movement of documented Afghanistan nationals. 2020 is now on track to become the largest return year on record for undocumented Afghan migrants. According to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation  ( DoRR ) , a total of 22,747 Afghanistan nationals returned from Iran through the Milak and Islam Qala border crossing sites between 8 and 14 November, a 4 per cent decrease from the previous week  ( 23,640 ) . More than 14,000 people returned voluntarily and more than 8,700 were deported. IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,313 people or 6 per cent of all undocumented Afghanistan nationals returning from Iran at its transit centres in Hirat and Nimroz during the past week. Afghanistan's border with Pakistan at Spin Boldak officially opened on 21 August and the border at Torkham on 28 September.