nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
As of June 2020, general price level in the region saw an increase compared to 2019, mainly in Lebanon, Sudan and Syria  ( “crisis' level according to the Market Status indicator ) . The increase observed in these countries was mainly due to food price spikes, as the cost of the food basket in these countries more than doubled compared to June 2019. In addition, the three countries saw a sharp depreciation of their currency against the USD, mainly due to domestic socio political developments
In NWS  ( as of 11 June ) , as of 11 June, WHO delivered a consignment of 2,000 Viral Transport Medias  ( VTMs )  to a lab in Idleb  ( Dana )  for the COVID 19 response effort. A total of 41 facilities will be provided PPE  ( masks and surgical gloves )  for three months. PoEs requested supplies for two weeks, and 1,600 community health workers will be provided with supplies for one month.
In the reporting period, sectors continued support to students sitting national exams, including humanitarian support to students who travelled cross line to GoS controlled areas, including their safe return post exams. Partners are planning to provide support to a second batch of students to sit ninth grade national exams, expected to occur next month.
It is paramount that we identify gaps when health facilities are temporarily closed to ensure continuity of services and avoid any further deaths. This is important given the extraordinary circumstances of COVID 19 and PPE and human resource shortages.
( September23, NWS )  2.7 million internally displaced. Since December 2019 almost 1.4 million were forced to flee their homes, with many assisted in the camps and hosted by local communities.
As the economic downturn increasingly impedes the ability of households to meet their basic needs, financially motivated negative coping mechanisms are increasingly being adopted, including child labour, forced prostitution, forced abortions and early and forced marriages. The GBV subcluster is also reporting families marrying off their daughters repeatedly for short periods of time in exchange for money.
Over the reporting period, sectors have provided ongoing support to students sitting national exams, including humanitarian support to students who have travelled cross line to government controlled areas in Aleppo, Ar Raqqa, Hama and Deir ezZor governorates
USAID/BHA NGO partners in the northwest also continue to perform COVID 19 awareness raising activities, conducting nearly 5,900 awarenessraising sessions that reached more than 13,800 people in May.
Overall, the health infrastructure in Syria has taken a drastic hit, with a shortage of ICU beds, ventilators and testing kits, whether in opposition held Idlib, regime held areas or northeast under the control of the Syria Democratic Forces  ( SDF ) .
To expand testing capacity, the Cluster lead agency is procuring two more PCR machines. These are expected to arrive by mid July, in addition to laboratory supplies  ( DNA extraction kits )
During May, a USAID/BHA NGO partner distributed more than 3,400 hygiene kits to an IDP camp in Al Hasakah, benefitting approximately 2,700 households. The hygiene kits contained diapers, dish soap, disposable razors, sanitary pads, shampoo, and toothpaste. Additional soap, hand sanitizers, and cleaning products were added to the content of the kits, in line with COVID 19 preparedness efforts. In addition, another USAID/BHA NGO partner distributed hygiene kits and COVID 19 kits to 11 informal settlements in Ar Raqqah Governorate, benefiting approximately 2,000 households.
UNDP is supporting rehabilitation at three hospitals. PUI has completed light rehabilitation of WASH systems at isolation centres in Dar'a and Deir Ez Zor. As outlined in previous reports, WHO delivered 85 tons of medical supplies by road from Damascus to Qamishli, to be distributed to various health facilities and health authorities for health partners in NES. To date, 52 tons has been distributed to 17 hospitals, including seven in cross line areas, two private hospitals serving as referrals for Al Hol, six supported by NGOs operating in NES, and two hospitals in areas of government control.
[ 11th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced that 45 new Coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  cases have been registered in Syria ,and that 25 patients infected with the virus have been recovered while 3 others have passed away.
The majority of tests conducted have been on recent arrivals from Damascus  reportedly those showing symptoms  and the close contacts of the confirmed cases in Al Amran neighbourhood. All 12 samples collected and tested in the past two weeks were taken from recent arrivals to NES from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq  ( KRI )  via the Fishkabour Semelka border crossing. It is understood that these people were tested following a medical assessment  ( and application of case definition )  and/or positive Rapid Diagnosis Test  ( RDT ) .
Among the top priority needs for all returnees is access to health services  ( 48 percent ) , replacing education from the previous round. This may be associated with the growing COVID 19 related situation and increased awareness of accompanying health risks.
As detailed in previous reports, UNRWA continues to support increased sanitation activities through 120 sanitation labourers  ( 18 recently recruited )  at the nine official and accessible Palestine refugee camps  ( and one informal camp ) . In cooperation with GAPAR, water provision is currently being enhanced at the camps.
Stigma was an issue from the beginning, particularly when the first case was identified among a member of the health care workforce. Individuals started to assume that if you are a health care worker, then you must have COVID 19.' He emphasizes the resulting psychological stress and pressure on the health care workers to ensure the safety of their patients while continuing to provide essential services.
Over the reporting period, child protection and C4D teams reached 1,550 families in informal settlements in Ar Raqqa and 2,750 families in Areesha camp
RECOMMENDATIONS: Build on the COVID19 experience towards inclusive and flexible education systems that provide quality and relevance for all, and that yield better learning results. Allow the integration of refugee, internally displaced and returnee populations within the formal systems, better crisis planning for a potential second wave, expansion of multiple pathways to education that ensure all vulnerable children and youth are reached and develop foundation, life and technical skills for further learning, employment, active citizenship and empowerment. Invest in different modalities of education content dissemination  ( distance education, education TV, radio and online/offline platforms )  to ensure that all children have continued access to quality education content anywhere, anytime.
In addition, in the reporting period UNICEF completed an assessment to rehabilitate a new isolation centre in Damascus. Additional light rehabilitation of WASH facilities were also completed in the Dweir quarantine centre, with plans underway to expand capacity at the facility to 2,800 beds  ( from the existing 1,500 )  with the installation of 21 additional rub halls to be provided by WFP and UNHCR.
NGOs, in coordination with local authorities in the NES, have undertaken contact tracing of the two active cases. Despite the additional cases recently reported, curfew measures in NES have been relaxed since 30 May; all shops are now open between 6am and 3pm and there is an increased number of people on the streets.
Damascus, SANA Health Ministry announced on Monday that 67 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country while 18 ones have recovered.
The Ministry pointed out in a statement to SANA that the infections' toll registered in the country reached till now 1255, of which 364 cases have recovered and 52 ones have passed away.
Damascus, SANA Health Ministry announced Thursday that 75 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country while 10 others have recovered.
Damascus, SANA – The Health Ministry announced on Saturday that 78 new Coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  cases have been registered in Syria, and that 5 patients have recovered while 2 others have passed away.
[ 17th September , Overall Syria ]  WHO is holding daily meetings in Damascus and weekly Health sector coordination meetings and operational calls to monitor implementation of the COVID 19 Preparedness and Response plan.
One week earlier, the director of the Damascus Burial of the Dead Office suggested that the pre pandemic daily mortality in Damascus during this period of the year was “approximately 40 deaths, a normal figure in the summer as deaths increase due to high heat.This estimate is in line with reports from 2016 by the same director that daily deaths are in the range of 15 50 deaths per day  ( 28 ) . Applying these broadly consistent pre pandemic baselines, we computed approximate excess mortality, and in turn infer the level of under ascertainment of COVID 19 deaths in Damascus.
To date, humanitarian partners have been informed by local authorities of 34 identified quarantine facilities and 50 isolation spaces in 13 governorates. At the central level, the MoH has announced 22 isolation centres are currently running, with a cumulative capacity of 1,073 beds, including 894 isolation beds, 174 ICU beds, and 155 ventilators. The 30 quarantine centres are reported to have 5,774 beds. As mentioned in previous reports, information has been received indicating that patients experiencing mild symptoms have been requested by some isolation centres to quarantine at home.
UNICEF supported the campaign through the provision of vaccines and cold chain equipment, including solar power refrigerators to ensure the safety of vaccines under all circumstances.
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ]  Trend analysis and overview: In the two weeks between 16 September and 30 September, the number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in NES has increased by 66%, up from 1,008 confirmed cases as of 16 September  ( 647 active cases, 313 recoveries and 48 fatalities )  to 1,670 confirmed cases as of 30 September  ( 1,165 active cases, 439 recoveries and 67 fatalities )
[ 7th October 2020, Damascus ]  While there are no independent figures for the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths in Syria, Badir's account chimes with reports from some NGOs and aid workers who say the official data reflect a small fraction of the real toll.
The talks resumed Monday after a nine month break due to disagreements over the agenda and then restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials say all members are in quarantine in their hotel rooms for a period ranging from two to 10 days. During this period, they are to communicate virtually with each other and the U.N. Special Envoy.
The new regulations also stipulate that travellers to Lebanon should also take the test no later than 24 hours before the time of their flight.
Of the 24 health clinics in Al Hol, only 15 are currently able to provide health care. In addition, two field hospitals were forced to suspend operations in early August due to confirmed COVID 19 cases among health staff in one – and lack of PPE in another – while a third field hospital has been out of action for the past six months.
The UN has expressed concern about the spread of the coronavirus in a country where the health infrastructure has been shattered by war and medical supplies are limited.
WHO has provided testing kits to the MoH since 12 February. To date, WHO has provided enzyme kits  ( 31,240 reactions ) , extraction kits  ( 47,250 reactions ) , screening kits  ( 62,992 reactions )  and confirmatory testing kits  ( 1,920 tests ) , 52,000 swabs and viral transport medium for sample collection, five polymerase chain reaction  ( PCR )  machines and two extraction machines, in addition to 5,000 waste bags and 21,000 bags for samples, and PPE for staff. WHO has further supplies and equipment in the pipeline, including four GeneXpert machines. In addition, UNHCR has procured one GeneXpert machine.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  Today, “suspected cases are reported by doctors in health facilities and then transferred through the referral system to community isolation centers, where samples are collected, and a PCR analysis is performed to determine the result
Less than two months after the first announcement of a positive Covid 19 case in Syria, the Ministry of Health said on April 14 that the number of Syrians who tested positive had reached 29, up from 19 a week earlier, while the number of deaths was still two and the number of people who recovered had increased to five. All positive cases reported so far are within government controlled areas.
[ October 1,2020 Overall Syria ]  At the governorate level, Al Hasakeh and Ar Raqqa reported the highest levels of market inaccessibility due to the pandemic. In both governorates, 38 percent of households reported challenges in accessing markets in July 2020; the proportion reached 35 percent and 32 percent in September 2020, respectively.
For COVID 19, there's still a need to secure personal protective equipment  ( PPE )  and infection control and hygiene items for medical staff and community health workers  ( CHWs ) . • There is a continue urgent need to increase the COVID 19 testing capacity by bringing more PCR kits, extraction kits and viral transport equipment. There will be more demand on testing in the next period as a result of people fearing being infected, for tracing contacts and for expanding screening to identify and contain the virus.
Breakdown of the cases is as follows: 32 cases, including medical staff in HTS held areas in Idlib, parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, and 31 cases in the areas controlled by Turkish backed factions, north of Aleppo.
While recovery cases in north western Syria have risen to 52.
The number of days from the onset of symptoms to laboratory test ranged from zero  ( on the very day of symptoms onset )  to eight days. Six cases had their laboratory test taken on the day of symptoms onset, and 18 cases had their laboratory test for COVID 19 taken within 1 to 2 days after the symptom's onset day. Sixteen  ( 52% )  cases recovered by the end of July, with duration of illness ranging from 12 to 18 days. However, 12 cases recovered after 13 days, with only one case having recovered after 18 days.
One factor with the divergence between official figures and reality is the low levels of testing taking place in the country. According to the latest UN update, the Syrian Ministry of Health's testing is returning a mere 5.9% positivity rate. However, when we compare the stated average daily tests and average daily infections, the resulting rate should be closer to 15%. Presently, just 509 tests are being conducted per day according to the UN.
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ]  In September, 46 percent of interviewed households reported not being able to purchase the necessary medicines, with the highest recorded among female headed households  ( 52 percent ) , due to lack of financial resources  ( 67 percent )  and shortage of medicines in pharmacies  ( 30 percent ) .
[ 14/02/2021, Overall Syria ]  Reliable medical sources in the Syrian regime held areas have told the Syrian Observatory that 28,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the last few days, while 900 new deaths were recorded in the same period.
[ January 2021, Ar Raqqa Governorate ]   [ Mahmoudli Camp Overview: No. of Individual: 10,277 ]  % of children aged 6 17 accessing education services is 37%.
[ 6th september,Overall Syria ]  Riza said there had been a 10 fold spike in infections in Syria in the two months since he had last briefed staff, referring to health ministry figures that said there had been 3,171 cases and 134 deaths since the first case had been reported on 23 March.
[ 1st October, NorthEastSyria ]  Geographic overview: The majority of confirmed cases of COVID 19 in NES continue to be reported in Hassakeh Governorate. While the highest total number of confirmed cases continues to be recorded in the districts of Hassakeh and Qamishli, the most significant increase in confirmed cases over the last two weeks have been in Raqqa
Head of the Health Center in Damascus International Airport Dr. Khuzama Zrieq said in a statement to SANA that upon the passengers' arrival, the medical team recorded their data and examined them to ensure that they have no apparent symptoms of Coronavirus infection.
According to Observatory statistics, the number of confirmed cases, since July 9 to date, rose to 50, including two doctors were residing in Turkey.
By tracking the numbers of officially registered cases announced by the Ministry of Health, it is noticed that the number of registered cases in Damascus and its countryside has decreased during the past days from ninety percent to 35 percent, according to Dr. Al Amin, while the number of cases has increased in other provinces, pointing out that the death rate among the infected cases that have been admitted to al Mouwasat Hospital reached 3%, which is identical to the global percentage.
[ 23 Oct 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 214 | Total cases: 3975 | New tests: 531 | Total tests: 21138 | New recoveries: 58 | Total recoveries: 1546 | Total active cases: 2395 | New deaths: 0 | Total deaths: 21
[ 9th october overall syria ]  While 36 cases have been recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovery cases to 893.
The World Health Organization  ( WHO )  has strengthened the referral system capacity through its implementing partners, by increasing human resources to more than 100 paramedics, nurses and decontamination workers and by deploying 20 additional referral vehicles supplied with equipment and PPEs.
Also, some CCTCs in some areas, where the cases were reported, were not still functional. More as a challenge, the referral pathway was not clear for the health staff working in non COVID 19 health facilities on how and where to refer cases; ongoing work on a protocol for referral pathway to be part of training package for triage points and COVID 19's designated hospitals.
Three weeks ago, Syria in Context reported that the government's figures vastly understate the scale of the outbreak and estimated that there are likely at least 85,000 cases in Damascus alone.
The northwest has conducted 5,160 Coronavirus tests, 61 of which have returned positive. In northeast Syria there are 400 cases so far, indicating rapid spread in the region
oday's outcome, which was announced during a videoconference meeting*, followed four failed attempts in the past week to renew authorization for the cross border mechanism, which expired on 10 July.  ( See Press Releases SC/14244 of 8 July and SC/14246 of 10 July. )
Several health facilities have suspended operations due to capacity issues and to staff contracting the virus. Some are in areas already among the most underserved when it comes to healthcare.
( 22 sep,idleb, northern aleppo  )  Since April 2020, MSF teams have distributed more than 63,000 hygiene kits, including items such as soap and detergent, to over 26,000 displaced families in several camps across Idlib governorate and northern Aleppo governorate.
[ 29th December 2020, Syria ]  The curve of recorded infections with the Coronavirus in Syria declined during the current week, after it has witnessed a noticeable rise in the middle of this month, with the largest number of infections that hit 169 ones on the 18th of the month according to the Health Ministry statistics.
In 4th of last May, Syrian Airlines started to run flights to evacuate Syrian citizens willing to return from abroad to Syria, according to lists that were registered by Foreign and Expatriates Ministry at the embassies and diplomatic missions.
[ 20th December, 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Monday that 136 new coronaviruses were registered in Syria and 56 cases recovered while 12 patients passed away.
As of the afternoon of 27 August, it was understood that contact tracing had not yet begun. Health partners have recommended that the close family of the confirmed case are placed in supervised quarantine due to the high risk that they have been exposed to COVID 19.
Overall approximately 30% of all samples are testing positive, with the WHO advising that a case positivity rate above 5% indicates that there is not enough testing  ( i.e. not sampling enough people to adequately reflect the prevalence of infection among the community )
Today, health authorities recorded 13 new cases of the Coronavirus in northwestern Syria, 8 cases were distributed in Al Bab, two in Jarablus, one in Azaz, one in Afrin, and one infection in Idlib.
According to the statistics of the Syrian Observatory, the number of casualties since the 9th of July until today has risen to 151, and they are: two doctors who were residing in Turkey, and 58 people, including medical personnel in the areas of influence of the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham in Idlib and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, and 91 infected in areas of The influence of the pro Turkish factions north of Aleppo.
Due to the first cases of COVID in Tabqa, movements in and out of Mahmoudli camp have been halted for 14 days starting from 25 August  ( with humanitarian exemptions ) , and educational/CFS activities have been paused.
[ 5th October ]  The cases are distributed across all Syrian provinces. However, most of the deaths and infections have been in Aleppo, Damascus and Rif Dimashq.
[ 24th September 2020, Syria ] Cramped living conditions in refugee camps, limited hygiene facilities, medical care and education about the virus's dangers do not bode well as winter approaches.
[ 24th September 2020, NW Syria ]  North western Syria, where up to 4 million people, many of them internally displaced, are crammed into a corner of a broken country, is seen as one of the most at risk parts of the world.
[ 24th September 2020, Idleb ]  Idlib's camps for internally displaced people account for about 20% of those who had travelled from elsewhere in Syria to the country's last anti government stronghold, where hospitals have largely been destroyed over the past five years by Syrian and Russian jets.
[ 27th August  ] Areehsa: On the evening of 25 August, a 25 year old woman from Areesha camp was confirmed as positive. This woman was one of 6 suspect cases identified by a doctor, all of whom were close contacts of 2 health staff who were working in Areesha camp and confirmed as positive on 18 August
The management of "Al Kinana" Hospital in the city of Daret Azza in western Aleppo have applied quarantine on the hospital, along with all people inside it, after the confirmation of a COVID 19 case inside the hospital. Also, the management of "Al Amal" hospital in Jarablus city have decided to close the hospital for 14 days, and asked all hospital staff to adhere to quarantine at home.
[ November 21, NES, lockdown ]  6  All media institutions shall guide and educate citizens to adopt methods of personal protection and distance Socialize and make it a part of their daily life until the end of this epidemic.
[ January 2021, Ar Raqqa Governorate ]   [ Mahmoudli Camp Overview: No. of Individual: 10,277 ]  Average monthly household income is 1,34,544 SYP  ( 47 USD ) . Average monthly household expenditure is 1,46,083 SYP  ( 51 USD ) . Top three reported expenditure categories: 
  Food: 100%
  Healthcare: 86%
  Transportation: 77%
[ 23rd September 2020, Overall Syria ]  The number of people who have tested positive in northeast Syria surged by around 50 percent in a week, the highest weekly increase since the beginning of the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Deir ez Zor: Over the past week, there has only been 1 new confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Deir ez Zor. As in other areas, the low number of confirmed cases does not necessarily reflect the actual scale or scope of transmission in Deir ez Zor. As previously mentioned, there are particular concerns around people entering SDF controlled areas from GoS areas via informal crossing points, given the absence of any monitoring/ screening mechanisms in place. It is understood that the first 2 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Deir ez Zor had entered NES from GoS areas via an informal crossing point.
Movement of supplies  ( KRI to NES ) : NGOs are able to ship humanitarian supplies through the usual procedure on Tuesdays. NGOs are encouraged to report any challenges to the NES Forum through a designated reporting mechanism
Movement restrictions in NES: As of 28 August, curfew/lockdown measures are no longer implemented in any governorate in NES. Humanitarian partners continue to adhere to self imposed limitations on movements, including working from home, working in shifts, reducing non essential field visits/ meetings and, in camps, supporting a more localized response among camp residents
Individual isolation spaces: As noted, COVID 19 isolation facilities should also be equipped to treat suspect cases with more severe symptoms. The installation of individual isolation units is therefore critical. Training and staff capacity: There is a need to establish dedicated training plans to bolster clinical care capacity, particularly for severe and critical cases. o Staffing: As mentioned in the previous section, acute shortages in staffing continue to create challenges in activating COVID 19 facilities and contribute to cross contamination between health facilities. It is imperative that staff working in COVID facilities do not also work in non COVID facilities to reduce this risk of contamination.
Aleppo: Over the past week, there have been only 2 additional confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Kobane, in addition to the 20 cases confirmed over the previous three weeks. In Menbij, it is understood that only a handful of samples have been collected and transferred to the Qamishli laboratory for testing. This is likely related to the extensive use of RDTs in Menbij  ( even relative to other areas of NES )  with only RDT positive cases initially referred for PCR testing through the Rapid Response Teams  ( RRTs ) . After extensive advocacy on this issue, it is now understood that the use of RDTs has been discontinued in Menbij. The Menbij Health Committee maintains that the low number of confirmed cases in Menbij is attributed to effective control measures, including at Points of Entry  ( POE )
[ 28th April 2020, NE Syria ]  The actual number of cases is likely much higher, due to the lack of available testing in the northeast.
Due to short time frame and COVID 19 restrictions, it was decided that over the phone KIIs are the most efficient and safe way to obtain the information from the community.
[ 6th october overall syria ]  While 44 cases have been recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovery cases to 751.
As of 27 August, it is understood that there have been at least 23 hospitalizations, 20 in Washokani  ( 1 suspect case and 6 confirmed cases currently admitted, 7 deaths and 6 discharged )  and 3 in Tabqa
As of 8 August, 217 swab samples  ( Hassakeh 3, Deir ez Zor 92 and Raqqa 122 )  have been collected in response to alerts received through the EWARN system. These samples have been transferred to Idleb for testing, with 5 cases testing positive: 2 in Raqqa and 3 in Deir ez Zor. As per the latest report, 5 of the samples  ( 4 from Raqqa and 1 from Deir ez Zor )  were pending at the time of writing. Further information is being sought on these cases to understand whether they have also been recorded under the SA surveillance and testing mechanism
Regarding precautionary measures, Mansour indicated that floor stickers are being used to remind people of social distancing at the airport and inspection areas. No two travellers can sit next to each other and face mask must be worn. Passengers are allowed to board only through the public gate area, with very few exceptions.
Mansour added that the quarantine and hotel reservation requirement have been canceled. However, if a traveller is showing symptoms, they would have to take a PCR test before going home and wait for the Ministry of Health team to follow up with them.
[ 5th October  ]  Meanwhile, most of the infection cases and deaths are still documented in the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus and Rif Dimashq, amid disastrous medical situation.
The continued financial crisis in Lebanon, international economic sanctions on Syria, COVID 19, decline in remittances into Syria, and internal disputes between actors in Syria were reported as the main causes for the continuously high SYP/USD informal exchange rate in August
On Saturday evening, the Health Ministry announced that 30 new coronavirus  ( COVID 19 )  cases have been registered in Syria, and that 15 patients infected with the virus have recovered, while two patients have passed away. The ministry said in a statement published by SANA that the total number of coronavirus cases registered in Syria has reached 3,506, of which 827 patients have recovered and 152 have passed away.
In the absence of sufficient testing, doctors are trying to diagnose cases based on chest X rays and other symptoms, sending patients home to quarantine and care for themselves, according to the medical students and patients' relatives.
In terms of humanitarian assistance,precautions enacted by humanitarian actors prior to the identification of COVID 19 cases in northwest Syria continue to be implemented and strengthened, to safeguard both staff and local communities. Work is ongoing to intensify interventions to strengthen infection prevention and control at health facilities as means to protect healthcare workers and prevent transmission from healthcare service delivery points, which is of high priority.
[ 1st October, overall Syria ]  There are particular gaps in gloves  ( all types ) , face shields, disposable aprons and goggles. Gaps are due to a number of factors including global supply shortages, difficulty in procuring some items on the local market and challenges related to the import of certain items from KRI
( Overall Syria, March August,2020 )  In Syria, UNHCR phone counselling with refugees and IDPs indicated that health costs were among the greatest impediments to accessing care, which many are unable to afford.
[ 14th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that 57 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and that 25 patients have recovered while 3 others have passed away.
(  [ 1st October, Hasakeh  ]  Of these, 94 cases  ( 39% of all cases among health wokers )  were recorded in Hassakeh city  ( with cases continuing to be reported among staff working at the three main hospitals in the city ) .
( Overall Syria, 23rd September 2020 )  Poverty situation due to covid: The poverty situation today, particularly after the COVID 19 pandemic, may have further deteriorated due the further declines in income per capita and is expected, according to a recent ESCWA study to further deteriorate by 2021  ( ESCWA, 2020 ) .
( September23, NWS )  As such, it is vital to sustain funding and use every means available to ensure the timely and planned delivery of lifesaving assistance, especially given the added COVID 19 restrictions.
[ 2th october,2020 Overall Syria ]  Health authorities have recorded today 66 new coronavirus cases in north western Syria, which is under the control of HTS and Turkish backed factions in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
[ 1st October, Overall Syria ]  Local COVID Committees: There have also been 7 local COVID committees established across NES  ( Hassakeh, Qamishli, Deir ez Zor, Tabqa, Raqqa, Menbij and Kobane ) . These committees provide operational leadership at the local level, with a focus on RCCE, case investigation and RRT deployment, IPC among health workers/ at health facilities.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ] The financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon, as well as coronavirus restrictions and new US sanctions, have all contributed to Syria's current economic instability, making the price of bread a grim new measure of the country's financial troubles.
[ 1st October, overall Syria ]  Against the backdrop of acute shortages in health staff in NES  ( i.e. which precede COVID )  and with the rate of transmission in NES likely to continue to rise over the coming weeks and months, there are concerns that the health system could collapse if more health workers become infected
[ 1st October, overall Syria ]  EWARS: As of 28 September, 185 swab samples  ( Hassakeh 123, Deir ez Zor 55, Raqqa 7 )  are understood to have been collected in response to an undisclosed number of alerts received through the MoH/ WHO EWARS system
[ 1st October, overall Syria ] As such, the vast majority the 54 positive cases have also likely been confirmed positive by the SA  ( i.e. these 54 positive cases are part of the 1,670 positive cases recorded by the SA, not in addition to )
[ April 18, Dar'a ]  Local resources added that the occupancy rate in Busra Al Sham Hospital has reached 100 percent, and that the medical staff announced that a number of its members have been discharged to visit patients in their homes rather coming to hospitals.
[ 28 APR, GoS ]  Health Ministry stated that 124 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, while 186 patients have recovered and 11 have passed away.
[ September 2020, Rural Homs ]  We also rehabilitated four primary schools in Jawalek and Snaisel villages in rural Homs, as well as rehabilitated the electrical power network and the water pumping stations that will benefit 2,000 returnees.
[ 29th September 2020  ] On site training for 38 laboratory technicians has also been completed, including for those working in regional laboratories. In September, with WHO support, a new laboratory to test for COVID 19 came online in Rural Damascus.
[ 24th September , Overall Syria  ] The “Directorate of Education of Free Idlib' has issued a decision to open schools on the first day of next week, September 26th, while ensuring that preventive measures are taken to tackle the coronavirus.
[ Overall Syria, 3rd October ]    Many health workers, who are already under huge pressure to do their job in a weak health system, are now reportedly testing positive for COVID 19 – putting effective containment and response to the virus at even greater risk.
[ 25 Oct 2020 ]   [ NWS ]  New cases: 108 | Total cases: 4190 | New tests: 299 | Total tests: 21797 | New recoveries: 120 | Total recoveries: 1750 | Total active cases: 2402 | New deaths: 3 | Total deaths: 22
[ 24th September , Overall Syria  ]   This brings the number of the death toll to nine people. The breakdown of fatalities is as follows: an elderly woman in Al Dana town in Idlib countryside, another woman in Souran town in Aleppo countryside, a doctor in northern Aleppo countryside, an elderly man in al Bab, a 50 year old man in the city of Salqin in rural Idlib and four people in al Bab town in Aleppo countryside.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ]  With a collapsed healthcare system, a battered economy and a severe lack of doctors and nurses due to medical providers fleeing Syria's brutal war, authorities face an uphill battle to control the spread of COVID 19.
[ 5th October 2020, Syria ]  But what is even more alarming for Magtymova is the shortage of medical professionals. According to a United Nations report published in March, a staggering 70 percent of them have left the country since the start of the war in 2011.
Over the last week, a second NGO isolation facility has been activated in Hassakeh, with 6 isolation beds for moderate severe cases and 4 ICU beds for critical cases now online and ready to receive patients in an isolated COVID ward of the Derik hospital. Additional beds will be made available over the coming month
[ 14th October 2020,Overall Syria ]  According to a recent report by OCHA and WHO, there is a funding gap of around USD 11 million until the end of the year to confront the Covid 19 in Kurdish areas
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ] In September, around 52 percent of surveyed households who reported losses of income have poor or borderline food consumption, representing a two thirds increase of those households since April 2020 and up by 13 percent from August.
[ September 2020,Overall Syria ] The national average rate of inadequate food consumption  ( poor and borderline combined )  increased in September by 26 percent compared to August 2020
[ 29th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Highlighting the particular risks faced by healthcare workers, according to the MoH, 193 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID 19, an increase of 50 in October. Of particular concern, 11 healthcare workers are reported to have died.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277 | Main information sources about COVID 19 as reported by households: NGOs or charities 99%, Friends/family 42% and Posters/flyers in the street 36%.
[ 27th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  In a statement to SANA, the ministry indicated that the total number of Coronavirus infections registered in the country till now has reached at 5528, out of which 1821 ones have recovered while 275 others have passed away.
[ 13th nov 2020,Overall Syria ]  The health system in Syria's northwest is on the verge of collapse, doctors have warned, as the opposition held region sees a sharp rise in Covid 19 cases in overcrowded camps.
[ 26 Oct 2020 ]   [ NES ]  The Health Authority of the Autonomous Administration in north eastern Syria recorded 150 new COVID 19 cases in NES, along with 15 new recovered cases, and 3 new deaths. Thus reaching the totals of 3948 cases, 687 recovered cases, and 115 deaths.
[ 27th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that 67 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and that 33 patients have recovered while 3 others have passed away.
[ 26th October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Monday that 53 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 35 patients have recovered while 3 others have passed away.
[ 23rd October 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Friday that 52 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, and that 37 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
( NW 20/10/2020 )  More than 13%  of the 2,865 cases are medical health workers; 7.5% other workers in health sector.
( NW 20/10/2020 )  Given the increase in traffic from Bab Al Hawa under UNSCR 2522, the roads connecting Bab Al Hawa to northern Aleppo require urgent rehabilitation to ensure continued access of humanitarian supplies through winter and beyond. A gap of some50 kilometres remains to be rehabilitated, of the some70 kilometres of this stretch.
[ October 27, Homs, infections among student and teachers ]  The northern countryside of Homs is considered an appropriate environment for the spread of the Coronavirus, due to the local population's lack of commitment to precautionary measures and the absence of any awareness campaigns. Not to mention the absence of adequate health care.
[  October 28, NES, curfew ] The decision of curfew, which starts on October 30 and continues for ten days, has conditioned the following terms:   All hypermarkets and public facilities to be closed, with the exception of shops and groceries which will have to be also closed at 3:00 pm during the period of the curfew, while working in restaurants will be limited to takeaway orders only.  All houses of worship to be closed except for Friday prayer and Sunday Masses on condition to respect all needed health and precautionary measures.   All gathering to be banned, while face masks and precautionary measures will be required in public places, markets and official departments.  Working in all schools, universities, institutes and kindergartens to continue, along with adopting all health and precautionary measures agreed upon between health department and education department in north and east Syria   Social distancing, hygiene and precautionary measures to be respected in all constructions and institutions of the “Autonomous Administration'. The number of officials and employees attending in government and public facilities to be reduced up to a third, if required.
[ November 20, Idlib ]  Kamal said: "When we first heard about the new Corona virus, we thought it was just a rumor, or that it was just a regular seasonal flu. I am sure now that this virus is not a joke, and it has a direct impact on me."
[ November 20, Idlib ]  Now, she has to choose between the family's need for income and the risks of going out to work. Commenting on this, she says, "I refrained from leaving my tent to protect myself and my family, but sometimes I find myself forced to search for work. I am afraid of contracting the virus and transmitting it to my children, but what should I do?"
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277  | Household income, Average monthly household income: 395,777 SYP  ( 138 USD )
[ 23rd October 2020,Overall Syria ]  In addition, the COVID 19 pandemic that has increased the burden on the communities under the impact of the economic crisis  ( rise in exchange rate and economic sanctions by several geopolitical actors ) .
[ October 29, Raqqa, adherence to preventive measures ]  The co chair of the Health Committee in the Raqqa Council, Dr. Zaina Al Kubba, told Syria TV that the reason for the increase in infections in the city is due to the lack of implementation of basic prevention rules and disregard for the danger of the virus, despite the repeated health awareness campaigns throughout Raqqa.
[ October 29, Raqqa, # of cases increases ]  Until today, the number of cases registered with the Coronavirus in the Autonomous Administration regions in general reached 4164 cases, of which 470 were declared cases in the city of Raqqa, while observers in the Health Committee of the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria expect that the real numbers will be significantly higher than those declared given the reluctance of many civilians to conduct tests and take swabs.
[ November 5 ,2020 Northwest Syria ]  Water, sanitation and hygiene are the pillars of COVID 19 prevention, but northwest Syria already lacked these services prior to the pandemic.
[ April 2020, Syria ]  However, a few activities, mostly of group nature, were affected, such as: outpatient consultations, mobile medical units or medical teams, trainings, and mental health consultations.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  Relatives of COVID 19 patients, medical professionals and humanitarian workers have told Amnesty International that public hospitals have been forced to turn patients away due to a lack of beds, oxygen tanks and ventilators
[ 10th November, NW Syria ]  As the economic situation for Umm Ahmed's family worsens, she has found it increasingly difficult to afford soap and detergents to protect herself and her family from COVID 19.
[ 12 Dec 2020,Overall Syria ]  Activities across the country have been impacted by curfews, movement restrictions, market closures and commercial freezes.
[ 14th nov 2020, Overall Syria ]  According to the UN, there are five laboratories to process COVID 19 tests for the 15 million people living in all of the areas under the government's control.
[ 1 Nov 2020 ]   [ Afrin ]  The local council of Afrin has announced that the educational process for the academic year 2020/2021 was launched for students of several classes, starting 1st of November.
[ January 10, Tartous ]  The director of Tartous Tourism explained that 200 cafes, restaurants and fast food outlets are included in the closure decision issued by the central emergency committee in the governorate, at 7 pm for cafeterias and cafes, and at 12 for restaurants and fast food stores.
[ February 25, As Sweida ]  The Director of Health, Dr. Nizar Muhanna explained that during the past five months, the number of migrant doctors from the governorate reached 17, in addition to the issuance of more than 143 new passports for the governorate's doctors, with 310 nurses currently in travel, and the number of resignations during the past three months reached 104 resignations for the nursing staff with the presence of 101 Request termination of service for the same staff.
[ Sept 2020, Rural Aleppo ]  International donors should support humanitarian actors by being more flexible in their funding, taking into consideration the different challenges of delivering assistance in Syria and rural areas specifically, by: a. Lifting bureaucratic hurdles when re programming is required b. Allow for a more flexible programming, with focus on outcomes rather than outputs c. Allow contingency provisions for sudden shocks, and avoiding humanitarian NGOs to repurpose the scarce early recovery funding to life saving emergency interventions d. Funding the wider spectrum, from emergency to early recovery
[ December, Overall Syria ]   Disparities in access to testing have led to visibility of only severe cases of COVID 19 in Daraa and other parts of Syria, with one researcher claiming that up to 90 percent of cases in Syria are not diagnosed
[ December 6, GoS ]  The minister indicated that the year of wheat means planting every inch in Syria, and instead of ensuring national food security, household food security must be secured, which is important and necessary to secure self sufficiency of the product. He added, "Let us bake in our homes, and not wait for the state, but rather help it ..."!
[ 22nd November, 2020, Overall Syia ]  Health Ministry announced on Sunday that 71 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 54 patients have recovered while 4 others have passed away.
[ 24th November, 2020, Overall Syria ]  Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that 74 new Coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 58 patients have recovered while 5 others have passed away.
[ November 2020, NW& NESyria ]  The report adds that the Health Authority in the Self Management Authority of Northern and Eastern Syria had announced recording 2,427 cases of infection and 70 deaths in November in northeastern Syria.
[ 26th November, 2020, Overall Syria ] In a statement to SANA, the ministry indicated that the infections toll registered in the country till now has reached at 7542, out of which 3330 ones have recovered while 399 others have passed away.
[ 25th November 2020, Overall Syria ] The Syrian pound has renewed its sharp decline and is once again nearing the level of 3,000 pounds to the US dollar it crossed this summer before making a modest recovery.
On 30 October, a 10 day partial curfew came into effect across NES lasting until 8 November. All major markets/public facilities have been ordered closed for the duration of the ban, excluding shops selling food and restaurants  ( for takeaway orders only provided they close by 3pm in the afternoon ) ; places of worship must close except for Friday prayers and Sunday mass and; mass gatherings  ( wedding halls, condolence tents and conference meetings all specifically mentioned )  are prohibited.
[ APR 2021, Overall Syria, NWS ]  The humanitarian community tracked some 34,000 IDP movements across Syria, around 15 per cent less than the numbers tracked in March. As in preceding months, most IDP movements were concentrated in northwest Syria, with 92 per cent occurring within and between Aleppo and Idleb governorates.
[ Jan 2021, Deir ez Zor governorate ]  In Abu Khashab Camp, Camp Overview Number of individuals: 10,277  | 22% 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 265,396 SYP  ( 93 USD ) . Top three reported reasons for taking on debt:
Food 95%
Healthcare 64% 
Clothing or NFIs 36%
[ 11th Dec 2020,overall Syria ]  The sources indicated that other ministers suggested imposing a total lockdown on the country, for a period of 15 days, in the event of an increase in the number of infections, which others categorically rejected, based on previous failed experiences, in addition to the great losses that the government incurred, according to economic estimates.