Five children  ( two boys and three girls )  were verified as victims of abduction; four girls as survivors of rape; one boy was injured and another was a victim of recruitment and use. Children were most affected in Unity  ( four girls )  and Western Bahr el Ghazal  ( two boys and two girls ) , Central Equatoria  ( one girl ) , Upper Nile  ( one boy )  and Warrap  ( one boy ) .


In January, pursuant to the National Salvation Front  ( NAS )  unilateral communiqué issued by Thomas Cirillo in September 2020, United Nations Mission in South Sudan  ( UNMISS )  delivered three remote training programmes on conflict related sexual violence to four senior NAS officials, including the group's designated high level focal point on conflict related sexual violence, to enable them to disseminate knowledge among the NAS leadership and field commanders.

Capacities & response->International response


Decreasing levels of humanitarian services in Melut, tensions with host communities, and restrictions in undertaking livelihood activities are important contributing push factors for IDPs' decision to return. The concerns arising from communities who wish to return to Khorfulus and Atar should take high priority, considering no support was provided to them during the last return exercise.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |


Distribution of WASH NFI, hygiene and MHM  ( menstrual hygiene management )  kits distribution.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |

Priority interventions->Expressed by humanitarian staff


Most schools in Fangak County are currently flooded such as Wangchot, Wanglel, Kuemduok, Wangmok and some which are not yet flooded have been occupied by the flood affected communities for instance Chotbora and Nyatuat primary schools.

Impact->Impact on systems, services and networks


Items recommended for immediate distributions include: • Blankets • Solar light/Lamps  ( Protection cluster ) . • Mosquito Nets • Sleeping Mats and tarpaulins • Cooking sets • Plastic sheets. • Nylon Ropes.


Old Fanagak and all the villages; RECOMMENDATIONS ; Provision of hand washing facilities and excavation of waste pits at the IDP and overcrowd settlement areas


Majority of U5 years  (  Under 5 years )  observed to be relatively healthy while four children  ( male )  were observed to be in acutely malnourished conditions. One aged 18 months could not even stand on their feet, still crawling looked very short for the age  ( suspected stunting ) , exhibited apathy, looked pale, with curly brown hair illustrating ill health.


FSL PRIORITY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : Immediate provision of assorted livelihood kits with much attention to fishing kits due to availability of fish and vegetable seeds for planting in the displaced areas where there are raised grounds or highlands both far and nearby displaced settlements.


Most of the households around Old Fangak are beneficiaries of NPA/WFP general food distribution GFD but the most of household responded that they received food since last year September 2020 and as such they no longer have any food stocks.


The communities are seriously facing hunger due to lack of food. This year they did not harvest any crop though some cultivated sorghum and maize but the floods rendered their crops a complete right off.


A significant proportion of IDPs are living with host communities, straining both communities' ability to cope.


Around 1.4 million South Sudanese children under age 5 and another 483,000 pregnant and lactating women are expected to be acutely malnourished in 2021. This is the highest number in three years and related to increased food insecurity and the decrease in coverage and uptake of nutrition services due to conflict, flooding and impacts of COVID 19.


The first round OCV ( Oral Cholera Campaign )  campaign by Health Cluster began on 16 January 2021 in Pibor where 93 250 individuals were targeted.


Old Fanagak and all the villages; RECOMMENDATIONS ; Conducting and monitoring water quality especially bacteriological and physical test


The rainy season, which starts in April and continues until October / November – although flood waters were reported in some parts of the country until December – is a key seasonal factor reducing mobility in South Sudan by affecting road conditions. This contributed to keeping cross border mobility with Sudan and the Central African Republic below its baseline level until the last quarter of 2020.


In addition, UNMISS advocated for the release of abducted women and children, considered by local stakeholders as a driver of the violence. During a visit to Pieri in March, UNMISS urged a Nuer prophet and white army leaders to return Murle women and children abducted during the February attack on Likuangole. As a result, on 24 March 2020, nine abductees  ( four women and five children )  were handed over to the SPLA IO/RM commissioner of Pieri county.


Akobo, Pibor, and Pochalla are not classified as cholera transmission hotspot since they have not reported confirmed cholera cases in the last five years. However, one round of oral cholera vaccination campaign was conducted by WHO in Pibor town in April 2020 reaching 22,476  ( 73.2% )  of individuals one year and above. A follow up campaign is planned for January 15, 2021 targeting 93,250 individuals aged one year and above in all the Payams of Pibor.


In many parts of the country, protection monitoring reports indicate that in many instances the police or governmental security forces contributed to the human rights violations towards particular ethnic or social groups.


According to the RRC, the violence displaced an estimated 117,000 people, as of 20 February, and led to the early migration of cattle keepers to Gogrial county in Warrap and Jur River in Western Bahr El Ghazal.  (  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


United Nations Mission in South Sudan  ( UNMISS ) continued to support broader protection activities through quickimpact projects. A total of 41 projects with an overall budget of $2 million were approved by the Mission, with 80 per cent of funding released as at 20 January 2021.


South Sudan ranks fourth highest globally on the 2021 INFORM Index for Risk Management, after Somalia, Afghanistan and Yemen. The top five factors contributing to South Sudan's high risk are high intensity of violent conflict, low ranking on the Human Development Index and the Multidimensional Poverty Index, and high economic dependency on humanitarian and development aid and on remittances.


In Juba County  ( Juba PoC1 ) , the size of the population was 6,880 and Average daily flow in/out was 283/315. Approx. % travel overnight was unknown. Approx. % travel out of county for overnight travel was unknown. There was Congregation restrictions. There was Temperature screening and Hand washing stations. There was risk communication. As of 5 June 2020, 2 COVID 19 cases confirmed in UNMISS Juba PoC 1.  [ Mobility Update Week 11  ( 1 14 June 2020 )  ]

Displacement
Information and communication

Information and communication->Knowledge and info gaps (hum)


In Rubkona County  ( Bentiu PoC ) , the size of the population was 111,766 and there was no Movement restrictions within and in/ out of the site. The average daily flow in/out was 12,694/12,878. Approximately 47% travel overnight. Approximately 73% travel out of county for overnight travel. There were Congregation restrictions. There was no Temperature screening. There were Hand washing stations. There was risk communication. Three confirmed cases. UNMISS reduced its presence in the PoC to critical issues only. Movement of IDPs in & out the PoC continues as usual.  [ Mobility Update Week 11  ( 1 14 June 2020 )  ]

Capacities & response->National response


HEALTH PRIORITY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : Supplies of basic medicinal drugs, first aid kits and intravenous fluids to carve the increasing infection


HEALTH PRIORITY NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : Veterinary intervention with vaccination and treatment of cattle and domestic animals


The Protection cluster has established one women and girls' friendly space  ( WGFS )  in Tonj South.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


The South Sudan Humanitarian Fund  ( SSHF )  allocated $13 million through a Reserve Allocation  ( RA )  with consultations initiating December 2020 which identified the frontline and core pipeline needs, with the majority of funds been allocated in February 2021. The RA represents only 19 per cent of the funding needed. Further funding has not been secured.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )

Capacities & response->People reached/response gaps


HRD's investigation established that at least 686 women and children were abducted during the three phases of violence. Among them were 239 boys and 219 girls. The coalition of Dinka and Nuer community based militias accounted for 93 per cent  ( 638 )  of these abductions while the remaining 7 per cent  ( 48 )  were attributed to Murle groups.

Humanitarian conditions->Physical and mental well being


On 5 February  ( 2021 ) , a humanitarian food convoy travelling in Tonj South was attacked by armed youth in Wunlit Payam, Goglial County. Personal items were stolen and no one was harmed.


The people of South Sudan witnessed an important political development in the peace process with the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020. All state and county positions have since been allocated, and governors for nine of the ten states and chief administrators of the three administrative areas have been appointed, with only the appointment of the governor of oil rich Upper Nile State pending. The ceasefire has been holding in many parts of the country since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in 2018


Over half of all girls  ( 51.5 per cent )  are married or in union before the age of 18 years, and conflict fuelled poverty and food insecurity are now considered to be the most common reasons for families to marry off their young daughters.


Prepositioning of emergency supplies before the coming rainy season.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


Deployment of RRM  ( Rapid Response Mechanism  )  Protection Teams to beef up the response capacity of partners on the ground.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


In January  (  2021 ) , the FSL Cluster reached 13,800 people  ( 100 per cent of the target for the month )  with emergency food assistance in Aweil South


Replenishment of WASH core pipeline supplies including hand pump spare parts and sanitation slabs.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


Since January  ( 2021 ) , three joint monitoring field visits were conducted in Bilkey, Dengjok and Nyandit payams. The mission was unable to each Alali payam due to lack of physical access by either river or road.


406 incoming persons 3.6 average group size 322 outgoing persons 3.6 average group size from South Sudan to Central African Republic  ( January 2021 )


The Health Cluster reported that four partners are implementing health activities in Akobo County, running eight static health facilities and four mobile health outreach services. Since January  (  2021 ) , over 23,846 people have been reached with health services. A total of 45 people were trained in community based surveillance to enhance reporting and alerts.


FSL partners were forced to deliver food in Verteth by using more expensive air modalities. Verteth can only be reached by motorbike while Boma, Labrab and Marua Hill areas can only be reachable by air.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


Since December 2020, physical access has constrained the response scale up in GPAA. As a result, tracing of nutrition programme beneficiaries has been limited and programme costs have risen sharply due to increased transportation costs.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )


Tracking and mitigation of rumors and misconceptions related to COVID 19 was strengthened and is ongoing through regular and proactive  ( two way )  communication with at risk and/or affected communities through the online tracking tool, social media, a call center and community outreach interventions. A total of 557 rumors were registered through the online tracking tool and state reports


During the reporting year UNICEF and partners joined WFP on 11 integrated rapid response missions conducted in Pading  ( two missions ) , Palouny, Pagak, Jekow, Maruwa, Pakwa, Nyilwal, Tonga, Atar 3 and Pigi, reaching 94,132 individuals, including 11,405 children under the age of five.


UNICEF continued to work with other multiple sectors and supported UNICEF led clusters to strengthen GBV risk mitigation efforts and its integrated into the cluster priorities


Lack of shelter/ NFIs materials such as plastic sheets, sleeping mats, cooking utensils, jerry cans, blankets and mosquito nets.


 Available health facility, congested  (  Padiet PHCU ) .  Malaria and Snake bites reported.  Lack of nearest health facility in Panom Panaru and Along Cannel population sites.


In particular, WFP expanded the USAID/BHA funded urban COVID 19 response program to include vulnerable populations in Jonglei and Unity, in addition to those in the capital city of Juba, Central Equatoria.


Insecurity due to communal conflict also affected Covid 19 activities in the field.


Some WASH activities are also reported affected due to the floods.


Partners should advocate with donors and the development actors to consider longer term and more sustainable solutions to mitigate against the impact of future flooding


In total, the Protection Cluster reached 105,778 people with protection response against target of 374,124 people.


UNICEF continues to participate in the inter agency protection of sexual exploitation and abuse  ( PSEA )  task force, which functions under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General  ( SRSG ) /Resident Coordinator  ( RC ) /Humanitarian Coordinator  ( HC ) , and plays an active role to advocate for better protection of children against sextual exploitation and abuse  ( SEA ) .


2 new probable cases validated in Lolanga Mampoko who died on the 24 July and 8 Aug.  [ Highlights from past 21 days  ( 20 30 Oct )  ]


Age group less than 15 years had the most cases with  ( 75% )  cases.  ( HEPATITIS E IN BENTIU POC  )


As of January 2021, the number of people in need of food assistance increased from 830,000 to 906,304 people. The number of people also in need of livelihood support increased from 370,824 to 371,000 people.


In 2020, the people in Jonglei and GPAA were first affected by four waves of large scale, organized violence during the dry season in the first half of the year.


To date, a total of 415 villages with 200,242 people have been reported to have achieved ODF status. A total of 344,764 people have been reached with key hygiene promotion messages, in addition a total of 371,721 individuals have benefited from the distribution of core pipeline supplies and WASH NFIs including jerry cans, buckets, soap and water treatment chemicals by UNICEF.


During the reporting period, UNICEF and partners reached 1,454 children  ( 847 boys and 607 girls )  with psycho social support activities in child friendly spaces, schools and communities in Jonglei, Upper Nile Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria, raising the total to 93,884 children reached since January 2020.


The CERF  ( Central Emergency Response Fund )  also financed community based initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of floods on communities, such as repairing broken dikes.


Additionally, USAID/BHA partner IOM supports fellow humanitarian partners' responses across South Sudan by procuring, storing, and transporting critical relief supplies, including emergency shelter and WASH commodities.


With more than $43.2 million in FY 2020 funding, USAID/BHA reached nearly 2.5 million people including more than 325,200 IDPs with life saving nutrition services.


USAID/BHA supports partners in their efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition across South Sudan. In partnership with the UN Children's Fund  ( UNICEF ) , WFP, and NGOs, USAID/BHA nutrition assistance reaches children and pregnant and lactating women nationwide with specialized food products to treat malnutrition and provide supportive supervision to frontline health nutrition staff.


• Health cluster partners have reached 56,754 people out of 617,000 largely due to extremely limited resources available.


The South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2020 is funded at some 56 per cent of the total ask of US$1.9 billion, as of 18 December 2020.


The necessary measures to prevent and mitigate the onward spread of the COVID 19 virus led to additional restrictions in 2020


Active hostilities and violence against personnel continued to impact humanitarian operations, with 245 aid workers relocated in 26 incidents from multiple locations across the country. Some 70 per cent of relocations took place in Jonglei, halting essential activities for communities in need, many of which were facilitated through OCHA.


253,000 people in need of the WASH response in the six counties.Needs include hygiene promotion, distribution of famine prevention kit items including 20 litre bucket, 20 litre jerry can, water purifiers  ( aquatabs, PuR sachets, filter clothes )  and soaps, and rehabilitation of water sources.


Limited warehousing capacity in Akobo West and Tonj East are limiting the quantities of supplies that can be delivered on the ground. WFP is considering installation of new mobile storage units  ( MSU )  in Tonj East. Nutrition sites were damaged by floods in Pibor. As a result, four of nine nutrition sites remain suspended.


Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign  ( OCV )  in Pibor targeting over 93,000 people one year of age and above is ongoing.


WASH is urgently mobilizing funds to launch a campaign to rehabilitate and disinfect water points.


In Pibor in February, one aid worker was killed at a roadblock along the Pibor Gumuruk road set up by unknown armed youth.


Health: Flood related health response is ongoing across Jonglei and GPAA. In Awerial, four mobile sites opened to respond to the needs of displaced people from Twic East and Duk and Bor South; in Bor South and Twic East, health mobile sites are operational for the next four months, while health partners are responding in Pibor. Additional mobile sites are planned in Ayod and Pochalla and Fangak. A measles outbreak in GPAA was stopped through a reactive campaign. When flood waters recede, there is a risk of a cholera outbreak. To combat polio, an oral vaccination campaign in Pibor and Bor South and the required funding is planned.


Access to the labour market as well as reliance on coping mechanisms, such as collection of wild food and construction materials, charcoal production and hunting, were constrained by movement restrictions due to floods, insecurity and COVID 19. This has affected the income and resource levels of many people.


Conflict, displacement and economic collapse have also meant that farmers are less likely to invest in building climate resilient livelihoods, leaving them more exposed to environmental shocks.


South Sudan is experiencing the effects of long term climate change, such as increased temperatures and precipitation change, as well as short term changes, like more frequent droughts and floods.


Jonglei is expected to have the highest number of people estimated to face crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  or worse acute food insecurity at 1.18 million, followed by Upper Nile, at 765,000.


The Government of South Sudan announced on 21 March 2020 the closure of all educational institutions for a period of one month the school closure was later extended for an unspecified period. The closures were a precautionary measure, to mitigate the risk of human to human transmission of the COVID 19, to protect children from being affected and to minimize the further spread of the virus in the community.


Agriculture and livelihood activities were severely affected by unprecedented flooding in 2019, and people living in the hardest hit flood areas were already struggling to rebuild their lives and livelihoods prior to the arrival of a global pandemic.


Due to the critical role of risk communication in COVID 19 preparedness and response, UNICEF established and maintains a risk communications operations cell which oversees the risk communications technical working group and collaborates with clusters. UNICEF continues to participate in the inter agency protection of sexual exploitation and abuse  ( PSEA )  task force, which functions under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General  ( SRSG ) /Resident Coordinator  ( RC ) /Humanitarian Coordinator  ( HC ) , and plays an active role to advocate for better protection of children against sextual exploitation and abuse  ( SEA ) .


UNICEF continues to work with partners to operationalize and mainstream cash programming in South Sudan, and identifying opportunities within Education, WASH, Child Protection and C4D sectors. UNICEF's COVID 19 response strategy also aims to embed creating a safety net through cash transfers for vulnerable households within the country, and in line with the UN's socio economic response plan


Radio has for a long time been a popular source of information for people across the country. A recent survey revealed that 51 per cent of South Sudanese respondents list the radio as one of their sources of information, with a weekly reach of 38 per cent of the population. While the largest radio networks in the country are United Nations run Radio Miraya and Eye Radio, other commercial radios are growing in coverage. However, there is a lack of freedom of expression and public radio broadcasts are maintained under tight control, compromising their transparency.


COVID 19 PPEs, for an overall total of 70 mt ad a value of US5.2 million, arrived in Juba between 3 and 7 September. This is thanks to the generous support of the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and African Development Bank. As the co lead of the Operational Support and Logistics pillar of the National Response Plan  ( NRP )  on COVID 19 Pandemic, WFP, through the Logistics Cluster, supported with the reception and storage of this cargo, to be transported to the field at a later stage.


UNHAS transported 1452 passengers and 48 mt of light humanitarian cargo to 45 destinations across South Sudan.


The most recent IPC )  for acute malnutrition also indicated a decrease in number of counties classified with critical nutrition situation from 43 in September 2017, to 31 during the same period in 2018. Still, 76 per cent68 of the 21 repeat SMART surveys conducted in the same period and locations in 2017 and 2018 depicted critical69 levels of acute malnutrition


Following the mission, a detailed Scoping report and Response Plan including a Risk and Do No Harm matrixes were shared with the CCCM Cluster who in return approved a three month Mobile CCCM intervention in Mangalla.


Among incidents, physical assault perpetrated by an intimate partner accounted for 37 per cent, sexual violence 18 per cent and emotional abuse 25 per cent.


The threat of Ebola Virus Disease transmission from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is heightened because the drivers for contagion are present in the Equatorias region bordering the country. These include population movement, weak border monitoring systems, limited health, water and sanitation services along border areas, and multiple border points located in opposition controlled areas to which humanitarian access is already constrained.


In Abyei Administrative Area, IOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture ploughed five feddan  ( 7 Acres )  of farmland for one of the IOM supported farming groups in return villages of Abyei. In addition, the group received a training on groundnuts production and simple farm tools


In Eastern Equatoria, WFP and FAO are working closely to monitor the threat of desert locusts. Its swarms invaded areas in Kapoeta, Budi and Ngauro Counties of Eastern Equatoria for the third time in 2020. There are fears that large hectares of farms and crops would be destroyed by the locust infestation and threaten food security in the area.


In Eastern Equatoria State, tensions and disputes related to intrusion by out of state cattle keepers into farmland are worsening. Increasing confrontations between herders and farmers may become more complex.


WFP is reviewing enrolment figures to determine food requirements for a possible resumption of school feeding activities. This follows an announcement of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction  ( MoGEI )  that schools will reopen within the month of September for final class students  ( primary 8 and form 4 ) .


The USD $30,375,000 funding comes at a time when South Sudanese are working towards nation building following the revitalization of the peace process and the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020.


In August, the CCCM Cluster participated in various workshops, including scenario building workshop for the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview organized by the Inter Cluster Coordination Group  ( ICCG ) , Needs Analysis Working Group  ( NAWG ) , and Information Management Working Group  ( IMWG ) , to prepare for the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan. The CCCM Cluster also finalized severity indicators for inter sectoral severity analysis to contribute to the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview. In addition, the state level CCCM Cluster actively engaged in coordinating COVID 19 related response and preparedness activities in the PoC sites.


IOM deployed a field surge CCCM team to coordinate life saving assistance and support with site management capacity through partner coordination, advocacy and liaison, service monitoring, COVID 19 risk communication, and community governance and participation in the Pibor Adjacent Area  ( AA )  and four collective centres.


In coordination with OCHA and CCCM Cluster, IOM is responding to localized inter communal violence in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area  ( GPAA )  that forced approximately 11,000 individuals to seek protection in an area adjacent to the UNMISS United Nations Mission in South Sudan base in Pibor.

Humanitarian conditions
Capacities & response


During the mission, the following was conducted: ● 6,834 outpatient consultations were conducted; ● 5,772 people were reached with health promotional messages ● 45 health workers trained on common illnesses management, including COVID 19 prevention


IOM continued carrying out COVID 19 response activities, focusing on health screenings; risk communication and community engagement; health and hygiene promotion; WASH/Infection, Prevention, and Control; and displacement tracking. IOM also continued mainstreaming COVID 19 prevention protocols across all of IOM's humanitarian, transition/recovery and development programming in South Sudan


Aside from the larger armed conflict in the country, feuds between families, clans and age sets have been a major source of violence among the Lou Nuer and the Murle. Women from both groups have used shame, or the threat of public shaming, to hold young men to account for their actions. The interaction of shame, gender and age can be a powerful means of accountability, for instance in encouraging young men to engage in violence, or to prevent them from fighting.


Monitor agricultural performances of crops and their pests and diseases  ( desert locust, fall armyworm, etc. )  and their impact on food security


IOM continued supporting nine points of entry  ( PoE )  screening sites in April 2020 and five PoE screening sites in May and June 2020, where a total of 75,152 travelers were screened for COVID 19/EVD. Additionally, IOM supported three health facilities near the PoEs where 1,329 individuals were seen in the outpatient clinic, 895 people were reached with information on EVD, and a total of 102 individuals screened for EVD/COVID 19 in the health facilities.


The next two to three months will see a reconfiguration of most of South Sudan's cattle camps as the seasons transition, and this may present transmission risks if the virus spreads to market towns within major agropastoralist or pastoralist areas. Cattle camps, with problematic clean water access and sanitation situations already, may present conducive environments for transmission.


Crop production estimates for South Sudan for the 2020 consumption year indicate that a cereal deficit of 482 000 tonnes is expected. This deficit is generally covered by imports from neighbouring countries. However, this year, if COVID 19 related border closures and neighbouring countries' restrictions are applied to cereal exports it will likely result in cereal shortages in South Sudan. It is therefore critical to enhance food production in order to ensure continued food availability within South Sudan. As previously mentioned, the pandemic has also further highlighted the vulnerability of urban populations, who depend on markets for their food security.


If COVID 19 related business closure is affected on a massive scale, trading households will experience a reduction in income and savings in the upcoming weeks that is likely to be followed by a reduction in food supply and demand due to reduced purchasing power. Shifts to less expensive and less nutritious foods are likely to be observed as households try to make the most of their income and savings.


IOM MHPSS continued to support the MHPSS Technical Working Group, including supporting the development of a guidance note on MHPSS considerations during COVID 19 pre outbreak response in South Sudan.


On 6 March, the South Sudan National Police Service established a national committee to oversee the implementation of its action plan. UNMISS is providing technical support to the South Sudan Peoples' Defence Forces to develop a standardized conflict related sexual violence curriculum for staff colleges.


In Western and Eastern Equatoria, UNMISS disseminated the Revitalized Agreement to help improve intercommunal relations. UNMISS also encouraged influential local leaders to promote social cohesion and counter hate speech and the spread of misinformation as a measure to address COVID 19 fears across the country.


As at 31 May, the number of UNMISS civilian personnel stood at 2,278, comprising 885 international staff members  ( 245 women, or 28 per cent )  and 1,393 national staff members  ( 195 women, or 14 per cent ) , as well as 401 United Nations Volunteers  ( 159 women, or 40 per cent ) .


In August 2019, nearly 6.4 million people or 54 per cent of the population were classified in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  or worse acute food insecurity. Among them, an estimated 1.7 million people faced Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  acute food insecurity while 10,000 people were in Catastrophe  ( IPC Phase 5 ) .


In 2019, it was estimated that more than 860,000 under five children and nearly 600,000 pregnant and lactating women suffered from acute malnutrition.


Mental health care services remain scare and specialized services are mainly located in the capital, Juba, where the Juba Teaching Hospital is the only public medical facility offering inpatient psychiatric care in the country.


At the same time, South Sudan has seen progress regarding certain legal instruments, especially related for forced displacement. South Sudan ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 2018, and these instruments came into force in 2019. Also, in 2019, South Sudan acceded to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, also known as the Kampala Convention. It is the world's first and only regional legally binding instrument for the protection and assistance of IDPs.


The country's airstrips are poor quality, however, and the availability of fuel, aircraft maintenance facilities and handling services is low, especially in remote areas


Reported access to food rapidly decreased, with a low percentage of assessed settlements reporting adequate access in March.


The establishment of new humanitarian hubs is crucial to scale up the response for IDPs and communities in remote areas.


Central Equatoria, Aweil, Turalei, Mingkaman & Kapoeta TRC broadcasted on the differences between COVID 19 and the common cold as many people do not know how to differentiate corona virus disease from other diseases.


Citizens across Juba report that there is a strong disbelief around the existence of COVID 19, with many stating that “COVID 19 is over'. Additionally, speculations about COVID 19 being “good business' for response organizations was common, particularly across Juba.


301K Refugees in South Sudan  ( who came to South Sudan )   [ data as of December 2020 ]


Reticence to visit UN facilities, especially if they contain medical clinics, may make it less likely that people seek medical care for treatable illnesses.


Another 1.6 million vulnerable people – most of them in urban settings and cities – have been pushed to the brink as well. Overall this year, 7.5 million people now need humanitarian assistance –and that's close to levels in 2017 when we warned of famine.


The total requirement for the current response was estimated at $81.9 million. More than $16 million has been mobilized from ECHO, DFID and USAID in response to the floods, displacement as a result of violence or any other acute emergency.


Following the first confirmed cases of COVID 19 in South Sudan in March, UNHCR's offices are implementing their Business Continuity Plans. Implementation is tailored to local conditions and situations taking into account staff safety, health and security as well as operation continuity.


Rumours suggest that South Sudanese are immune, due to a belief the virus cannot be transmitted to black skinned Africans and that the hot weather will kill it. Some PoC residents, particularily in Bentiu, Bor and Wau, had reportedly been influenced by this rumour, choosing to stay in the PoC in the belief that the virus will not affect them.


The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund  ( IMF )  today approved a disbursement of SDR 36.9 million  ( about US$52.3 million or 15 percent of its SDR quota )  to South Sudan under theRapid Credit Facility  ( RCF ) . This is the first Fund supported financial assistance provided to South Sudan since it joined the Fund in 2012.


In order to address this, what is needed is sustainable peace, the allocation of land, and the presence of basic services in areas of return or where people choose to settle, including in urban areas.


Lack of adequate road infrastructure has left Panyijiar disconnected from the rest of the state, and reliant on air and river transportation for goods and humanitarian assistance.


The Government has little money to respond to the health and socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic.


Restrictions on river trading from Juba due to COVID 19 are likely to cause some depletion of staple foods and high market prices.


As of March 2020, according to KIs, Gok Machar had not been targeted with messaging surrounding COVID 19, indicating that traders and the host community might be unaware of methods to protect themselves and stop the spread.


Once roads are closed, WFP must deliver food by air which is seven times more expensive than delivering by road.


The Protection Cluster Roving team is closely monitoring the general protection situation of IDPs in settlements in Juba.


The ICCG approach enabled a first phase flood emergency response package consisting of a variety of commodities and services provided by clusters to support affected households.


Agencies such as UNHCR, UNDP, IOM, UNICEF and UNMISS have supported the production of thousands of masks which have been distributed to vulnerable IDPs and frontline community and health workers in areas such as Baliet, Fashoda, Malakal and Renk counties. Mask production is also in progress in other states.


On 15 January, large scale clashes among young Nuers occurred in Paguir, Fangak, which reportedly re sulted in five dead and 18 wounded. The clashes were reportedly triggered by young people attempting to disarm other local young people without instructions or permission from local authorities. Violence persisted in Pibor and surrounding areas through Dec ember and January, primarily between the Kurenen and Lango groups.


With the onset of the rainy season, road access to many locations in Jonglei became a challenge and air support was required to reach people in need.


In light of the outbreak of COVID 19 in Maban County and at the request of the Maban County COVID 19 technical working group, the Maban mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS )  sub working group – in close coordination with the National RCCE Technical Working Group – generated a set of harmonized key messages aligned to the new reality. These messages were disseminated to all partners in Maban County on 11 August 2020.


In April 2020, humanitarian partners in Maban County activated a COVID 19 risk communication and community engagement  ( RCCE )  working group. The aim of the working group is to support partners to have a harmonized approach to COVID 19 RCCE interventions, in line with guidelines issued by the government of South Sudan and the World Health Organization  ( WHO ) .


Despite the start of the main season harvest, staple food prices are unlikely to decline significantly in the near term due to deficit crop production and economic factors. Additionally, a new, mandatory COVID 19 testing fee of 65 USD levied against cargo truck drivers may contribute to higher costs. Drivers are protesting the fee, and traders importing goods from Uganda and Sudan reported delays by a median of six days, according to market data collected by REACH in August. According to FEWS NET's weekly cross border monitoring data, weekly trade volumes of maize declined by 22 percent from the second to third week in September, though volumes were 30 percent above the same period of 2019.


Following confirmation of COVID 19 in South Sudan, there are rising concerns that if the COVID 19 pandemic continues to spread in its current trajectory, particularly in the Protection of Civilians  ( PoC )  and collective sites, and sites where internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  are taking shelter, thousands could voluntarily return to insecure places, locations without basic services or areas with humanitarian access constraints as a mitigation measure to avoid infection.


UNHCR, through essential movements and continued coordination with partners and community based networks, is ensuring lifesaving and protection assistance to its persons of concern continues with the necessary COVID 19 precautionary measures in place.


Five GeneXpert machines have been installed, but require cartridges, to begin COVID 19 testing at Pamir primary health care centre  ( PHCC ) , Gentile PHCC, Makpandu PHCC, Yei Civil Hospital, and Maban County hospital.


Two separate attacks on aid workers in Jonglei on October 29 and 30 resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to three others, according to the UN.


Based on a spatial overlay with JRC's GHSL, 87.7 per cent of IDPs  ( or 1,403,069 individuals )  and 85.8 per cent of returnees  ( or 1,316,232 individuals )  live in rural areas.


UNHAS needs to enhance access control for clients delivering cargo or booking flights, in order to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID 19 to customer care staff.


Supply chain disruptions put humanitarian and development programmes at risk and significantly complicate any scale up in South Sudan


Quarantine and isolation policies, critical to flatten the exponential growth curve of the pandemic, exacerbate the conditions for those already vulnerable to domestic violence, estimated to be at least one third of all women  ( WHO, 2017 ) . Domestic and intimate partner violence reduces the access of women and girls to justice and contributes to their further victimization and ability to effect social change.


According to the Open Budget Survey  ( 2019 )  South Sudan has a transparency score of 7  ( out of 100 ) , and ranks 106 out of 117 countries; a public participation score of 11  ( out of 100 ) ; and budget oversight score of 43  ( out of 100 ) , with very limited budget oversight by legislature and supreme audit institutions. It is not surprising therefore that South Sudan is ranked the second most corrupt country in the world according to the Corruption Perception Index.


In such a context, diaspora remittances have been an important source of income for some households, allowing them to smooth consumption and afford fees related to services such as schools and health care. In 2019 remittances represented 34 per cent of GDP, the highest in the region  ( Adegoke, 2020 ) . These funds come mostly from Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, but some also come from neighbouring countries to which many South Sudanese moved as a result of the conflict, especially Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.


In addition, UNICEF distributed 4,600 hand sanitizers and over 5,000 cartons of soap to nutrition sites  ( the latter for distribution to beneficiaries for hand washing ) .


All activities have integrated SGBV and protection issues, whilst ensuring they do not contribute to increasing conflict, discrimination, and/or xenophobia. For instance, IOM is scaling up WASH infrastructure, community hygiene promotion and SGBV case management whilst simultaneously transitioning to COVID 19 sensitive programming.


Additionally, through its Urban Safety Nets programme, WFP is providing cash transfers to over 16,500 vulnerable urban households to address their short term food needs, while building their livelihoods and providing life skills training.


There is limited assistance to access health services for vulnerable people such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, victims of SGBV and unaccompanied children.


The COVID 19 pandemic is leading to an increase in demand for health care services, supplies and workers, which overstretches the fragile public health system and leads to the neglect of other forms of disease prevention and routine health services. These include the disruption of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, regression in the prevention of communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, and suspension of mass drug administration for preventive chemotherapy to prevent neglected tropical diseases.


“South Sudan is facing its highest levels of food insecurity and malnutrition since independence 10 years ago', said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs  ( OCHA ) , adding that the plan aimed to reach 6.6 million people with life saving assistance and protection.


Years of conflict have weakened or eradicated the social, physical, political, cultural, economic and security structures required for societies and communities to function, impeding opportunities for sustainable recovery and increasing the likelihood of repeated crisis and insecurity


The government allocated only 3 percent of its 2017 18 budget to education.


From the assessment, it was evident that the biggest support required by schools is teaching and learning supplies, school feeding, teachers incentives, rehabilitation of infrastructure, and teacher training.


Advocacy to include women in the COVID 19 response, and protect women who are at the forefront of fighting the pandemic, has been done through technical briefs and gender analysis by IOM, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP.


IDPs face more violence than host community members, with poor access to safe WASH. One third of IDPs and 37 per cent of returnees live in settlements located more than 5 kilometres from a functional health facility  ( IOM DTP & WHO, 2020 ) .


United Nations built a case management centre in the primary health care centre in Mukhtaah, and set up water supply systems at Jebel Kher primary health care centre, both in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal.


The United Nations is also renovating rooms in Malakal Teaching Hospital to use as a case management centre, and supported primary health care centres in Geri, Kaya, Kerwa, Kirikwa, Morobo and Yei with water supply system rehabilitation and medical waste management systems.


Flooding affected over 1 million people and displaced 480,000 persons between July and December 2020.


Humanitarian access deteriorated during the reporting period. As at 1 February, 86 humanitarian access incidents were recorded.


Some 91,121 people are in need of protection response in the six counties


Intimate partners most often perpetrate this violence at home. According to 2019 GBV Information Management System data on the alleged perpetrator survivor relationship, 54 per cent of the reported incidents were perpetrated by intimate partners. Intimate partner violence is anticipated to increase with stay at home and other disease containment measures.


A Protection Reference Group under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and the Protection Cluster was created to ensure that protection and human rights issues remain central to the COVID 19 response and that vulnerable populations are not left behind.


To further help relief agencies deliver in South Sudan, the free for user IOM  managed Common Transport Services  ( CTS )  supports logistical operations across the country by transporting humanitarian supplies to key locations to help partners reach vulnerable populations.


The United Nations continues its logistical operations for essential commodities and services such as food, time critical agricultural inputs and for SRHR, to ensure continuity of life saving humanitarian response.


The World Bank is also processing additional financing of US$5 million under the COVID 19 Fast Track Facility to replenish the already activated Contingency Emergency Response Component. In addition, it is funding the Safety Net Project  ( US$40 million )  through UNOPS to address the increasing vulnerabilities resulting from COVID 19 effects, especially in urban areas.


The African Development Bank has granted US$4.1 million to finance the emergency assistance for COVID 19 response in South Sudan in collaboration with WHO. The funds are directed to case management and prevention and strengthening the health system's capacity for emergency preparedness, with WHO as sole implementing agency.


UNDP is providing policy advice and analytical services to the government on the socio economic impacts of COVID 19. This includes support for reallocation of funds within the current budget, review of the National Development Strategy and plans for the FY2020/2021 budget.


Finally, collection of COVID 19 samples would be better managed with drones: they are effective, cheaper and can be deployed in the main hubs to make the process more efficient.


To increase access to justice and security, the United Nations provides coordinated technical, programmatic and logistical support to all actors in the justice chain. This includes measures to support the deployment of the justice chain to locations with limited or no justice presence; strengthening of traditional and formal justice actors on jurisdictional limitations; fair trial safeguards; human rights and gender equality; and creating an enabling environment for transitional justice.


United Nations response activities in 2020 in addressing logistics challenges aim to achieve logistics cost efficiencies through the expansion of road and river transport modalities and a decreased reliance on air operations.


United Nations response activities in 2020 in addressing logistics challenges aim to achieve cost efficiencies through the expansion of road and river transport modalities and a decreased reliance on air operations.


The main implications relate primarily to the disruption of movement of cargo and people, and the interruption of services, including the suspension or limiting of flights and maritime traffic due to, for example, the imposition of quarantine periods, screening requirements, border closures, decreased availability of containers, equipment and space, port closure or reduced market functioning.


The United Nations continues to assist the government of South Sudan in responding to mobility through engagement in policy advocacy, capacity development, and provision of technical support


South Sudan is ranked as the fourth country with the lowest human development in the world  ( UNDP, 2019 ) , and in 2015 its GDP per capita was US$1,120  ( World Bank, 2020a ) .


Through its resilience portfolio, WFP is providing livelihood support across the country to increase agricultural production and address productivity constraints while providing food to meet short term hunger gaps.


The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan  ( R ARCSS )  was signed in 2018, putting an end to a prolonged conflict that had devastating consequences.


To reduce contagion, the government acted swiftly and introduced policies such as reduced trading hours and a curfew.


UNICEF and WFP have reallocated funds to preposition core nutrition supplies to different strategic locations in South Sudan and avoid pipeline breaks in case of lockdown. Both agencies are procuring PPE for distribution to nutrition workers at the 1,150 nutrition sites in the country.


The country's health preparedness has also been enhanced via the adoption of international health regulations, including integrated disease surveillance and response, public health emergency operations and the National Public Health Laboratory to test most infectious diseases.


Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures: 214 healthcare workers trained in Intensive Care Unit  ( ICU )  care.


According to the 2019 WOA Assessment, 39 per cent of children had been exposed to Acute Watery Diarrhea  ( AWD )  in the preceding two weeks. Hence, there is an continually extreme risk of disease outbreak, including cholera.


UNICEF assessed that around 12 million Afghans could be pushed to food security deprivation. If these people are unable to go back to being food secure, the incidence of multidimensional poverty could rise from 51.7% to 61.4%


In June, the Ministry of Public Health had reported shortage of testing kits and treatment capacity at state owned health centers and announced that private clinics and hospitals would conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction  ( PCR )  testing of COVID19 samples to increase testing capacity.


Poverty has continued to climb during 2019. It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of the population is now living on less than $1.90 per day, reducing their financial resilience to shocks, and pushing people into debilitating debt from which they are unlikely to recover. Almost a quarter of the population is unemployed and this number is growing.The situation is particularly dire for those who are displaced.


Afghanistan has an INFORM Risk Index of 7.9 the fifth highest risk country out of 191 profiled. At the same time, the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index ranks it as one of the least prepared countries against climatic shocks and the 11th most vulnerable country in the world to climate change.


In 2020, the Health Cluster expects up to 15,000 people will need immediate trauma care at the place of conflict primarily at first aid trauma posts which have been significantly scaled up over recent years. In addition, it is expected that the need for prosthetics, rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support will increase due to the cumulative and continuing impact of the conflict.


[ Risk communication and community engagement  ( RCCE   accountability to affected populations )  ]  IOM has reached 147,964  ( 47,288 men and 98,676 women )  people with awareness raising sessions on hygiene practices and COVID 19 prevention.


The revised HRP identified 14m people in humanitarian need, 11.1m of whom were prioritised for assistance requiring $1.1billion to implement.


While movement of humanitarian personnel and assets had been challenging due to COVID 19  related restrictions for some of 2020, the lifting of lockdown measures across the country greatly eased these constraints. However, many humanitarian organisations continue maintain a preventative posture and are limiting field missions to protect staff and beneficiaries from transmission risks.


Ongoing conflict has also forcibly displaced more than 294,600 people across 31 of 34 provinces in the first 11 months of 2020. This is considerably lower than 2019 where 441,141 people were displaced in the first 11 months of the year


The United States International Development Agency  ( USAID )  estimates that only 30 per cent of Afghans have access to electricity, while figures from Afghanistan Transparency Watch suggest it may be as high as 65 per cent. Thus, sustained and reliable access to electricity is an ongoing issue for many Afghans.


It is estimated that 73 per cent of the population live in rural areas are where access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services is lowest, where open defecation is still common and hand washing with soap is not widely practiced.


Finally, the lack of a Tazkera  [ Afghan identity card ]  can impede freedom of movement and the ability to formally migrate from the country because identification is required to secure a passport.


HLP  ( Housing, Land and Property )  information counselling and legal assistance was also provided at border points for returnees. HLP partners undertook enhanced eviction monitoring and prepared guidance notes on land ownership and tenure, in order to support agencies working to secure tenure for vulnerable groups.


Heading into a second wave of the pandemic, official figures indicate that by mid December 2020, just over 2,000 people had died due to COVID 19 since the start of the year. However, due to limited public health resources and testing capacity, lack of people coming forward for testing, as well as the absence of a national death register, these official figures are most useful as an indicator of trends only.


The Government of Afghanistan is primarily responsible for managing and leading the COVID 19 response, with support from the UN and NGOs. Health partners established 12 laboratories  ( across 7 provinces – 4 in Kabul, 2 in Hirat, 2 in Kunduz, 1 in Nangarhar, 1 in Mazar e Sharif, 1 in Paktya, and 1 in Kandahar )  which tested in excess of 65,000 samples in the reporting period. Some 2,000 beds were provided for isolation and intensive care. 34,000 polio surveillance volunteers were re tasked to conduct COVID 19 surveillance, case identification and contact tracing activities across the country. Several thousand more health workers and volunteers have been trained and are engaged in laboratory testing, mental health and psychosocial support  ( MHPSS ) , infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication work.


Around 20 km of local roads were damaged in several parts of Dangam District  [ from flooding ] .


Mine Action partners continued to deliver all life saving activities despite challenges posed by movement restrictions and physical distancing requirements. Explosive ordnance risk education  ( EORE )  was adjusted to ensure the safety of the participants and trainers. This included switching from classroom  based sessions to delivering messages through mass media, loudspeakers and posters.


In an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus during food distributions, the FSAC  ( Food Security and Agriculture Cluster )  adopted an approach of staggered distributions to ensure physical distancing; instituted handwashing stations at distribution points; ensured use of personal protective equipment among frontline staff; and provided communication and awareness raising materials.


Additionally, Food Security and Agriculture cluster's COVID 19  specific response reached 326,648 COVID 19 affected people with cash and partial in kind support.


The Risk Communications and Community Engagement ( RCCE )  Working Group has produced a rumour tracking sheet that has been disseminated through MoPH and UN/NGO partners. It has also carried out an assessment showing communication preferences and the most trusted information sources by geographical area, down to the district level. The RCCE Working Group has also developed Self Isolation at Home Guidance Messages. Working Group members include national and international NGOs, UN agencies, and an international consultant who is an expert in communication and community engagement.


As of January 2021, wheat flour prices remained 12 % higher than the same time last year and 27 % higher than the four year average. However, the prices of other basic food items have increased in recent months as the lean season progresses and households increase reliance on markets to meet their food needs.


MoPH data shows that as of 12 November, 42,795 people across all 34 provinces in Afghanistan are now confirmed to have COVID 19. Some 35,024 people have recovered, and 1,591 people have died   79 of whom are healthcare workers.


17,246 IEC materials including posters, leaflets and brochures related to COVID 19 were distributed by nutrition partners during the reporting period; 125,654 IEC materials have been distributed by Nutrition Cluster partners since the start of the crisis.


[ Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures / Health Sector ]  IPC training conducted for 4,350 healthcare workers by health cluster. 3,931 healthcare workers trained in surveillance and risk communication in contested areas. 2,000 beds made available for isolation and intensive care. Medical equipment provided for 1,642 isolation beds across all 34 provinces.


Moderate wasting programming is guided by the Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP ) , with locations prioritised by the Nutrition Cluster based on global acute malnutrition  ( GAM )  rates and food security vulnerability  ( Integrated Phase Classification  ( IPC )  phase 3 and above ) .


Considering the budget deficit in Afghanistan and lack of sufficient capacity to render relevant services to all vulnerable in different parts of the country, can work towards bridging the budget and capacity gap, particularly in underserved provinces and communities. This will ensure sustainable institutionalization of government and non government actions towards prevention of GBV in the country.


Ensure hand washing facilities availability at the entrance of the camp and make handwashing mandatory for anyone entering.


59 houses were completely destroyed and 97 were severely damaged  [ from flooding in August 2020 ]


Just in the past month, the price of wheat flour and cooking oil in Afghanistan's main city markets have increased by up to 23 percent as supply is unable to meet demand, while the cost of rice, sugar and pulses have increased by between 7 and 12 percent, according to the World Food Programme.


In the poorest and more remote areas of the country, enrollment levels vary widely, and can be as low as 14 per cent with girls still lacking equal access to education in virtually every part of the country. Consequently, literacy rates remain low, particularly for young women; only 37 per cent of adolescent girls are literate, compared to 66 per cent of adolescent boys.


A women's shura council in Sarobi district, Kabul, that had been established and supported through a local peace initiative sponsored by UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ] , redirected its work to support COVID 19 prevention efforts.


Since the start of the pandemic, the United Nations and its partners have reached at least 4.7 million people with risk communication and community engagement messages.


On 8 June, the Anti Corruption Justice Centre resumed trials in an open tent as a COVID 19 transmission prevention measure. Four trials were held in June and July, raising the total number of cases tried by the court since its inception to 76, with 289 defendants.


The country task force on monitoring and reporting on grave violations against children in armed conflict verified 620 child casualties  ( 186 killed, including 57 girls and 129 boys; and 434 maimed, including 138 girls and 296 boys )  during the second quarter of 2020.


In partnership with Ministry of Interior Affairs, UNDP  [ UN Development Programme ]  is operationalizing five new hospital facilities to quarantine, isolate, and treat infected Afghan National Police personnel. These hospitals will receive health equipment and medical supplies and comprise some 300 beds, with quarantine facilities and intensive care units, across five provinces.


The provinces of Faryab  ( both rural and urban ) , Ghor, Helmand urban, Jawzjan  ( both rural and urban ) , and Nangarhar urban have the highest percentage of populations facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half or more of their population in IPC Phase 3 or 4.


When comparing to the same period last year, the number of people in Emergency  ( IPC  [ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification ]  Phase 4 )  increased from 2.43 million to 3.7 million, while the number of people in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  decreased slightly, from 7.7 million to 7.54 million. This means that a greater number of people moved into Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  during the last year, primarily due to the impacts of COVID 19, including: loss of employment, reduction in income and food prices increases.


During the reporting period, 9 incidents were claimed by or attributed to ISIL  KP  [ Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant   Khorosan Province ] , compared with 109 over the same time period in 2019. Seven of the incidents were in the eastern region, including six in Nangarhar and one in Kunar provinces, and two in Kabul.


The UN verified 192 attacks on schools and staff in 2018, tripling from 68 such attacks in 2017; 123 of these attacks were attributed to the Taliban and another 42 to the Islamic State.


Between 1 January and 30 September 2020, Pro Government Forces were responsible for more than a quarter of all civilian casualties – 28 per cent – amounting to 1,640 civilian casualties  ( 602 killed and 1,038 injured ) .


The frequent fighting in populated areas had a particular impact on women and children, who made up more than two thirds of civilian casualties from indirect fire, including mortars, rockets, and grenades during ground engagements between the Taliban and the Afghan national security forces.


There is a need to support MSMEs  [ Medium and Small Size Enterprises ]  in the health sector by enabling their access to digital technologies. For example, MSMEs could provide medical and scientific expertise to clinically and sociologically contextualize and interpret diagnostic tests as well as drugs and vaccines that will be deployed in the coming months as part of the global collective response to the COVID 19 pandemic.


A new 100 bed COVID 19 hospital has opened in Heart  [ Herat ] , funded by the government under direct orders of President H. E. Ashraf Ghani.


Afghanistan's population is estimated to be 37.6 million people in 2020 of whom 51 per cent are men and 49 per cent women. The country has a population growth rate of three per cent per annum, which is among the highest in the world. The most striking feature of Afghanistan's population profile is its very young average age. Almost half of the population  ( 48 per cent )  is under 15 years old, which is the highest proportion on Earth.


Constant exposure to high  stress, conflict situations, movement restrictions and financial pressure, as well as repeated loss of friends and family members from sickness and war, are also taking their toll on the mental health of people living in Afghanistan.


To address the acute food insecurity needs of the affected families, the following actions are required to save lives and livelihoods: Integrated and coordinated actions are required to contain high rates of asset depletion and food consumption gaps through food and livelihoods assistance for the populations classified in Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  and Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ) . The modality  ( cash or in kind )  of the humanitarian assistance should be considered based on proper market analysis as prices of food commodities are significantly high in hotspot areas.


UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  also notes that after the US Taliban agreement, civilian casualties from airstrikes by international military forces and search operations by National Directorate of Security  ( NDS )  Special Forces and the Khost Protection Force all but ceased, while civilian casualties caused by the Taliban and the Afghan National Army, mainly during ground engagements, continued at high levels.


Of additional concern is the increase in civilians killed and injured attributed to the Afghan National Army during this period. Civil  ian casualties and the number of incidents attributed to also undetermined Anti Government Elements increased significantly, indicating that there are more incidents, especially in relation to the use of improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  and targeted killings, in which UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  could not determine which Anti Government Element group was responsible. This trend corresponds with a decrease in the number of incidents for which the Taliban or ISIL KP  [ Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant   Khorosan Province ]  claimed responsibility.


IDPs who were initially in schools and in the open have mostly found shelter with relatives ) .


Depending on the region, between four and 12 per cent of IDPs are exposed to landmines.IDPs are also widely exposed to human rights abuses, including gender based violence.

Displacement->Type/numbers/movements
Context->Security & stability


Households including people with physical disabilities or people with indications of mental health concerns were also more likely to have multiple sectoral needs: 69 per cent of households headed by a person with physical disability had two or more needs, compared to 61 per cent of other households.


Foreign currency denominated loans as a share of total loans decreased by two percentage points from 49.3 percent to 47.3 percent. Credit to the private sector is expected to have further declined in recent months driven by lower demand for credit and increased risk aversion of banks.


The geographic distribution of health centres in the country is uneven and insufficient to meet need.


The September 2020 SFSA found that while nearly half of the households owned livestock, their herd size had significantly decreased, down by 14 per cent overall, 16 per cent for small ruminants  ( sheep and goats ) , 14 per cent for buffalos and 4 per cent for cattle and yak.


The prevalence of catastrophic levels of debt  ( more than 65,000 AFN )  is pronounced with 17 per cent of assessed households considered to be at this level.


Access is further reduced by a deteriorating safety environment for beneficiaries and humanitarian agencies alike, and the period has seen an increase in targeted attacks on health sector service providers  ( 71 reported by UNOCHA HAG during from January to July 2020 ) .


Food prices increased by around four percent, mainly driven by increased cereal prices due to rising global prices, despite strong recovery in domestic production.


The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  ( FAO ) / Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock  ( MAIL )  survey shows limited harvesting impact, but significant processing impact. The analysis indicates that despite the substantial logistical disruptions due to COVID 19, challenges to harvesting of wheat, fruits and vegetables have been so far limited.


COVID 19 has silenced GBV, particularly by decreasing accessibility to service provision centers.


During the last winter  ( 2019 20 ) , 60 per cent of households were unable to heat their shelter sufficiently, with more than a third of households resorting to burning plastic or other harmful materials.


Reports from Hilmand province indicate that families displaced due to the recent conflict may be exposed to COVID 19 and protection risks due to challenges for physical distancing and the cold weather.


By the end of 2020, the Humanitarian Action for Children appeal still had a funding gap of 41 per cent against the appeal. Under funded programmes include education and health for their regular emergency programmes. Despite some regular emergency programmes and COVID 19 response being complementary, the inadequate funds compromise UNICEF's efforts to provide timely and effective humanitarian actions overall.


Each month, some 97 civilians are either killed or injured by mines, including improvised mines, and explosive remnants of war. Children remain the predominant victims of these IEDs.


The Oxfam multi sectoral analysis in 2020 mentioned shows a more than 51 per cent increase in protection and GBV issues during COVID 19, while 61 per cent of the same respondents reported an absence of community outreach and awareness raising on GBV topics.


[ Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures / WASH Sector ]  3,264 handwashing stations set up at the community level in 64 districts across 20 provinces. 739 handwashing stations set up in health facilities across 27 districts. 48 handwashing stations set up in schools across 9 districts by health cluster.


Mine Action Partners also mainstreamed COVID 19 awareness raising messages into their material wherever possible. Between January and June 2020, partners delivered Explosive ordnance risk education  ( EORE )  to 270,841 returnees and IDPs in Nimroz, Hirat, Nangarhar, Kandahar and Kabul provinces.


In April 2020, the HAG  [ Humanitarian Access Group ]  developed a COVID 19 Access Strategy, highlighting new access risks stemming from the pandemic and its response.


To mitigate the pandemic's adverse effects on the nutritional status and subsequent well being of children, the Nutrition Cluster expanded the age group of children targeted under its BSF programme – up to five years old. The Cluster also expanded its reach for infant and young child feeding  ( IYCF )  assistance to include children at risk of malnutrition.


In the beginning of 2020, a HAG  [ Humanitarian Access Group ]  working group developed a series of training modules to roll out the JOPs  [ Joint Operating Principles ]  to the humanitarian community, donors and parties to the conflict. While the outbreak of COVID 19 has postponed the start of the trainings, partners increasingly refer to the JOPs when engaging with conflict actors, signalling greater familiarity with and acceptance of the JOPs.


From January to June 2020, FSAC  ( Food Security and Agriculture Cluster )  partners reached 4.1 million people with assistance  ( 42 per cent of the 9.7 million people they planned to reach in the revised HRP ) . Life saving food assistance was provided to 3.2 million people and livelihood protection assistance was provided to 1 million people.


Many Afghans do not have access to TV, radio, and electricity. This means that many children have remained without schooling, especially in rural areas, despite the  ( Education in Emergencies Working Group )  EiEWG's best efforts to support alternatives. Such gaps in education negatively affect children's cognitive development and often result in reluctance and inability to reintegrate back into schools, the longer time passes. Evidence suggests that discontinuation in education – in many cases – leads to permanent dropout.


Health facilities across the country continue to report shortfalls in PPE  [ personal protective equipment ] , medical supplies and equipment, further challenging their capacity to treat COVID 19 patients.


Refugee returnees receive a multi purpose cash grant  ( on average USD 250 per person )  and other services at Encashment Centers  ( ECs )  located in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, and Nangarhar provinces from UNHCR.


According to OCHA, 400,110 individuals were displaced by conflict in 2020, across 32 of 34 provinces in Afghanistan. Throughout 2020, most of displacements occurred in the northeastern, northern, and southern provinces.


In partnership with 15 national and international NGOs, a total of 137,583 children and adult  ( 62,563 women/girls )  benefitted from child protection services including community based psychosocial support through door to door service provision.


In 2021, some 8.8 million people will need water, sanitation and hygiene assistance. Of these, some 8 million will require safe drinking water; 8.3 million hygiene materials and practices; 4.2 million emergency sanitation options; 4.5 WASH items; and 1.2 million WASH in schools, health facilities, feeding centres and child friendly spaces.


Added to this  ( conflict and it's after effects )  are now the overwhelming needs caused by COVID 19 that are wreaking havoc not only on people's physical health but also their mental and financial wellbeing.


Partners have provided food, emergency shelter and NFIs, WASH items, multi purpose cash and water through water tankering.


Ensure waste are disposed safely when caring for suspected or confirmed case at home  ( set up system to avoid contact with potentially contaminated waste ) .


Support provision of soap, disinfectant, chlorine, mops, buckets and waste bins for cleaning, disinfection and waste management.


As the cost of supplies is not covered under SEHATMANDI, RUTF  [ ready to use therapeutic foods ]  for the treatment of severe and moderate wasting is dependent on off budget and emergency short term funding.


In 2018, approximately 120 people per month were killed or injured by landmines, ERW and/or landmines of an improvised nature in Afghanistan. These figures made Afghanistan the country with the highest number of recorded landmine and ERW casualties in 2018, as it was in 2017.


An immediate priority in the pilot locations will be to see how community engagement approaches can be integrated into existing mobile health and other outreach teams to ensure that these teams can conduct effective mobile RCCE  [ Risk Communication and Community Engagement ]  activities to reduce the spread of COVID 19 and other highly contagious diseases.


The WoA  [ Whole of Afghanistan ]  Assessment confirms displaced people's confidence in the stability of markets and their desire to receive assistance via cash if possible.


OCHA  [ Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ]  and REACH  [ Relief Effort to Afghan Communities and Households  ( World Bank )  ]  Initiative have committed to enhancing the representation of women in the household level quantitative surveys for the WoA  [ Whole of Afghanistan ]  Assessment in 2020.


Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures: 4,584,364 people reached with risk communication and community engagement messages.


Protection mainstreaming continues to be a mandatory consideration in approved country based pooled fund projects across all sectors. The Protection Cluster supports with reviews of all projects to ensure that mandatory protection elements such as avoiding causing harm, prioritisation of safety and dignity, AAP  [ Accountability to Affected Populations ] , and participation and empowerment of affected people are sufficiently reflected in project proposals.


Four decades of war have left Afghanistan riddled with landmines and other explosive hazards  ( new and old ) , exposing civilians to daily risks. Two and a half million people in Afghanistan now live within one kilometre of areas known to be polluted with explosive hazards and in need of immediate mine clearance. In 2018, approximately 120 people per month were killed or injured by landmines, ERW and/or landmines of an improvised nature in Afghanistan. These figures made Afghanistan the country with the highest number of recorded landmine and ERW casualties in 2018, as it was in 2017.


The UN Secretary General voiced particular concern about the 82 per cent increase in the number of child casualties in 2015 2018, compared to the previous four years.Nearly 12,600 children were verified to have been killed or injured in 2015 2018 predominantly from ground engagements, explosive remnants of war and aerial attacks. This figure represents almost one third of all civilian casualties. Overall deaths from air strikes have significantly increased since 2015, reversing the downward trend of the four preceding years. Some 1,049 child casualties were recorded as a result of air strikes in 2015 2018, including 464 children killed. From 2015 2018 armed groups were responsible for 43 per cent of child casualties   3,450 killed and 9,149 wounded.


Of the 73,00 trauma cases seen in the first nine months of 2019, 18 per cent of patients died. At the same time, 47 per cent of the trauma patients were left with permanent disability.


In comparison to 2019, the number of people in need of Shelter and NFI assistance has increased from 1 million to 3.68 million and included acutely vulnerable people who may have been displaced for longer than 3 months, in line with the course correction in humanitarian planning in Afghanistan that revised the way humanitarian action was viewed.


Out Migrants are Afghans who have moved or fled abroad from the assessed location, whatever the cause, reason or duration of expatriation. This category includes refugees, displaced and uprooted people, and economic migrants who have left Afghanistan


( 29 November – 05 December 2020 ) Interviewed returnees from Iran were travelling to all 34 provinces across the country, with the majority  ( 69% )  intending to return to Herat, Faryab, Nimroz, Takhar, Ghor, Kunduz, Farah, Balkh, Badghis, and Kabul provinces.


The total additional financing of $113 million to Afghanistan's COVID 19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project also includes a $50 million grant from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund  ( ARTF )  and a $3 million grant from the Energy Sector Management Program  ( ESMAP ) .


In Kandahar province, armed conflict continued in Arghestan, Arghandab, Zheray and Panjwayi districts which resulted in the restriction of civilian movement within districts and to Kandahar.


Ensure gender equity by ensuring any HLP/ FSAC investments are made on land where women and men enjoy equal property rights; crucially, ensure that women's name on HLP documents are a prerequisite to land based investments in urban agriculture


As of April 24, Afghanistan had 1251 confirmed cases of COVID 19, with 43 deaths. If estimates released by the Ministry of Public Health are accurate, Afghanistan is heading for a catastrophe. Unless serious containment measures are enforced and adhered to throughout the country, the ministry anticipates that as many as 25 million Afghans will be infected with the coronavirus, leading to 110,000 deaths.

Shock/event->Type and characteristics
Shock/event->Hazard & threats


Most of the health facilities have hand wash solutions, hand wash facilities with adequate water, Toilets, hand Sanitiser at the health facility. 75% of the respondents mentioned that they use masks or clothes to cover their face  ( nose /mouth at the health facility ) ; 55% have mentioned that the Health Facilities have functional Infra red thermometers; about 48% have mentioned that they have tent or some sort of facility for screening for temperature check at the facility


The Nutrition Cluster urges all parties to the conflict to ensure access to the most vulnerable provinces and people impacted by food and nutrition insecurity and COVID 19. This includes ensuring humanitarian access for health and nutrition services  ( especially malnourished children under five and mothers/PLW ) .


The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are health workers don't have adequate safety and PPE materials and thus people fear if health workers are not properly protected.


The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are roads leading the clinics and main roads are blocked and thus people face huge problems  ( more than 50% mentioned of this problem )


On 24 November, eight civilians were wounded by an IED detonation in Matun district, Khost province.


UN Women partnered with Afghans for Afghanistan's Development  ( AFAD )  Organization to undertake the Afghanistan Time Use Survey. The research was conducted in Nangarhar, Kabul, Takhar, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces.


Only one town, Kunduz, was classified in Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 ) .


Implement pilot urban agriculture projects in PD 305 SHURA townships in Kabul and Herat.


[ Education ]  Partners also will support the Ministry of Education to ensure that children whose needs are aggravated in the pandemic continue to learn through alternative methodologies and extended outreach. In preparation for when schools eventually re open, likely with an extended school year, partners will focus on education recovery work.


52% of the respondents have mentioned that they are aware of what to do if one has symptoms.


Public transport facilities, such as buses, carrying more than four passengers will not be allowed to travel.


There is an urgent need to ensure a continued distribution of medical and protective equipment to all corners of the country.

Priority interventions
Capacities & response


On 9 July, the World Bank approved the Afghanistan COVID 19 Response Development Policy Grant worth $200 million to help Afghanistan mitigate the impacts of COVID  19.


In Uruzgan province, fighting continued in Dehrawud and Gizab districts and affected shops and infrastructures.


The provision of new water points or rehabilitation of existing water points, along with distribution of hygiene kits for COVID 19 response are needed across multiple communities.


The main roads connecting Panjwayi, Arghandab, Zheray and Maywand are either closed or contaminated with Improvised Explosive Devices  ( IED ) .


According to the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation  ( DoRR ) , 5,591 undocumented Afghans have returned from Pakistan since 01 January 2020.


UNAMA attributed 21 per cent of overall civilian casualties to Afghan national security forces, eight per cent to international military forces and the remainder to pro government armed groups and undetermined Pro Government Forces. The last civilian casualty incident of the quarter attributed to international military forces occurred on 17 February, before the ‘reduction in violence' week, when an airstrike in Kushk district of Herat province resulted in the deaths of eight civilians  ( three women and five children ) .


As of December 31, the Government of Afghanistan  ( GoA )  Ministry of Public Health had recorded more than 51,500 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease  ( COVID 19 )  and 2,188 COVID 19 related deaths in Afghanistan


Access to information in AGE  [ Anti Government Elements  controlled areas is more limited and reliant on community members. Health seeking behaviour – and COVID 19 testing rates – indicate women are underrepresented in accessing healthcare. Information nodes / gatekeepers are not providing consistent, accurate information to all members of their communities, leaving room for misinformation and rumors.


Only half of children under the age of 5 have received the recommended vaccinations.


Shelter gaps as of 31 August 2020: Access to adequate shelter/housing is a critical need in all the locations; Lack of private sector engagement investment in the communal housing in PARRs  [ Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration ]


Are you aware of financial aid being provided in your local area to aid households during this time  ( % yes ) ? Aware of aid : 13%; among those aware of aid, household access: 24%; Sufficient for needs: 24%


Men  ( 59% )  are more optimistic than women  ( 49% )  that peace is achievable in the next two years.


Acceptable places for women to work   co ed schools   Strongly agree: 61%; somewhat agree: 15%; somewhat disagree: 7%; strongly disagree: 16%


Only 12% of the respondents reported that there was no negative effects on their income, while 39% reported that their ability to earn income has been fully and negatively affected.


The survey explored whether the households' experienced any cases of health issues as well as symptoms/ cases of COVID 19. The findings indicate that 54.3% of the household reported that they did not experience any health issue since the virus outbreak.


% of sites in which KIs reported the majority of households occupy inadequate shelter, by region: North East 3%


The three most frequently cited available money transfer services were: 87% Hawala, 57% Banks, 16% Formal transfer services


Out of 21,350 people assessed this week [ 1 7March ] , 17,199 people were recommended to receive aid.


UNHCR and partners continue to facilitate voluntary repatriation of registered Afghan refugees through services and support provided at four Encashment Centres located in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Kabul.


COVID 19 has added new complications to the sense of belonging and welcome felt upon return. Some children are even hidden from communities to avoid raising concerns for them and their families – in fact, most community leaders are not aware that the children are returning.


In 2020, the HAG recorded 200 access constraints stemming from military operations and kinetic activity, compared to 93 incidents in 2019


Armed clashes with IED detonations were reported in Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman provinces.


The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 17,050; IDPs: 56,905


The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 44,352; IDPs: 24,986


578,890 out migrants fled to Pakistan  ( 21% )


The Education in Emergencies Working Group  ( EiEWG )  and its partners are presently preparing for catch up arrangements for the time when schools resume and are re purposing some 6,000 teachers as agents of community awareness about preventive measures people can take against the virus.


The loss of job and income is among the significant impacts of COVID 19 and the lockdown measures that impact vulnerable households


Humanitarian assistance reached approximately 56,658 people affected by conflict in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces. Also, winter assistance for people in need across the north east was started by humanitarian partners.


Assessment teams identified 819 people displaced by conflict in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Kunduz provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.


3,149 children killed  ( 874 )  or maimed  ( 2,275 ) : Ground engagements: 1,213; Non suicide attakcs with the use of improvised explosive devices: 575; Suicide and complex attacks: 460; Explosive remnants of war: 403; Aerial attacks: 341; Search operations, targeted, or deliberate killings: 157


FUNDING STATUS Requirement: USD 109.2 M Carry over funding: USD 16M, from ongoing activities into 2021


Some respondents indicated that they have access to maternal health services; however, many highlighted the movement restriction affects many women  ( particularly in rural areas )  from accessing such services. Among women respondents, 60 women  ( 37.2% )  said they don't have access to maternal health services; and majority women, 118  ( 73% ) , don't have access to family planning services.


The overall lack of decision making power among women could be worsened during the pandemic. With more men staying at home, women and girls might face further decision making restrictions. However, the few changes in decision making witnessed among men respondents also indicate the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic and related changes is causing some men to seek input from their wives before making decisions.


Nominal retail price of wheat flour is 36 AFN/kg. Higher than the two year average.


2.86 million people sensitised on COVID 19 and related preventive measures by Protection Cluster partners


Quarantine measures, school closures and restrictions on movement disrupt children's routine and social support structures, while also placing new stressors on parents and caregivers who may have to find new childcare options or forgo work.


in Afghanistan, where women's access to mobile phones and internet is limited, remote provision of services is particularly challenging


Even before the added burden of La Niña, the nutritional status of children under five continues to deteriorate in most parts of Afghanistan. More than two thirds of the country  ( 27 out of 34 provinces )  is already at emergency malnutrition levels. One in two children under five and one in four pregnant and lactating women  ( PLW )  is anticipated to face acute malnourition in 2021


319,137  ( 179,614 boys and 139,523 girls )  have been reached with prevention and control messages through radio/TV


21% of the families reported that they are "never" able to meet the basic needs of their children


Governments and donors must prioritize gender sensitive programming and investments including in the prevention and response to sexual and gender based violence surging as a consequence of COVID 19, women's quality income generation opportunities, and women's leadership programmes;


Health: 167 people affected by diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration; 26 affected by respiratory infections; 63 affected by trauma


WASH  ( hand washing ) : hand washing facility?   64% yes, 36% no; soap availability   48% yes, 52% no


Food, Livestock, and Agriculture: 5,851 families lost food stocks, 3,405 livestock lost, more than 6,943 hectares of agricultural land damaged, 107,928 orchard trees damaged


In October, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service  ( UNHAS )  transported 1,350 passengers to 21 locations across the country.


Nominal retail price of rice is 46 AFN/kg. Higher than the five year average.


Beneficiaries reached with COVID 19 response activities: 1,845,118 responded, 1,810,979 targeted


The Cluster anticipates that 3.1 million people will have acute protection needs across the 25 most affected provinces over spring.


Reasons for return to Afghanistan: 32% reported UNHCR assistance package


Overall partners reached 4.68m people with COVID 19 specific support in 2020.


To ensure the safe return to classes in communities, partners must: Identify best channels to inform beneficiaries and communities about new protocols in place: posters, radio messages, etc


To ensure the safe return to classes in communities, partners must: Establish and / or strengthen child friendly feedback mechanism to ensure full expression of boys' and girls' feelings related to the disruption of the learning process.


Temperature checks and screening activities are ongoing through deployment of 98 screening staff at all major border crossings with Iran and Pakistan by Health Cluster Partners.


Governments and donors must prioritise funding for quality and sustainable livelihood opportunities and social protection programming in order to support vulnerable families to reduce negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage and child labor;


• 193 healthcare workers have been trained in medical laboratory testing by Health Cluster Partners.


5 laboratories are now operational. Afghanistan currently has technical capacity to carry out 5,800 tests per day


• 42 rapid response teams  ( RRTs )  have been deployed by humanitarian partners across the country to support MoPH's Rapid Response Teams with surveillance, case identification, contact tracing, and risk communication.


48.7% of the families have sent their children to work


Two civilians were reportedly killed and seven others, including children wounded by an unexploded ordnance  ( UXO )  detonation in Khinjan district in Baghlan province.


The Education in Emergencies  ( EiE )  Working Group is supporting the Government of Afghanistan in their efforts to facilitate the continuity of education for all through remote learning.


It is also possible that drought conditions will push a portion of the people currently living in IPC 3 into IPC 4, although this will need to be confirmed by the upcoming IPC analysis, with results due in April.


In addition, there are fewer than 2,000 isolation beds across the entire country, and limited capacity for ICU care, which could exacerbate death rates  ( Shah et al. 2020 ) .


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 under five will face acute malnutrition in 2021.


A similar bilateral agreement, the Joint Way Forward, signed in 2016 between the EU and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has allowed for increased returns from Europe to Afghanistan  ( IOM  ( a ) , 2019 ) .


Even before the pandemic, Afghans face massive challenges to access proper health care. The health system is under developed and burdened far beyond its capacity due to countless conflict casualties, lack of funding, insufficient medical staff, deterioration of infrastructure, and other resources. The challenges are further aggravated by malnutrition, poor access to water, lack of sanitation and hygiene, air pollution, and geographic and security challenges to access health care facilities


A Taliban claimed suicide truck bomb attack on 14 May in downtown Gardez, which injured at least 33 civilians.


The relaxation of lockdown measures also put an end to a series of largely peaceful protests in April and the beginning of May, during which protestors accused the Afghan government of unfairness during bread distributions and voiced concerns that the closure of businesses and restaurants led to economic hardship. While the Afghan population remains largely critical of the government, accusing them of not doing enough to tackle the spread of the virus, no major protest was recorded since the relaxation of the lockdown measures.


In late February 2020, an infected returnee in the western province of Herat bordering Iran. An influx of returnees totaling some 287,080 persons from Iran and Pakistan between February 2020 and April 2020 seems to have helped accelerate the number of infected cases but also stretched the medical and economic resources to their limits.


The healthcare workforce will continue to be at high risk if PPE issues persist


• 739 handwashing stations set up in health facilities across 27 districts by WASH partners.


• 85 handwashing stations set up in schools across 15 districts by WASH partners.


Analysis of the suggestions provided by the respondents in terms of potential solution to the listed problems shows that mostly suggested solutions are distribution of medicine  ( 59.7% ) .


Some of the respondents also reported that they had to send their children to work so that they could earn enough money to provide for the family.


About 12,810 people  ( 20 per cent of the IDPs )  are reported to have returned to their villages of origin in Khanabad.


Single mothers  ( identified in our analysis as unmarried/widowed/divorced females living in households with children )  are particularly sensitive to the burden of unpaid domestic work. In comparison to married couple or those whom are cohabitating, a significantly higher proproption of single mothers report cleaning as the most time consuming activity


Risk communication and community engagement  ( RCCE   accountability to affected populations ) :Since 1 March, IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix  ( DTM )  field teams have reached more than 132,682 community leaders and influencers among host, IDP and returnee populations, including humanitarian and development partners and providers of essential services, with RCCE messaging in over 12,300 villages across 34 provinces. IOM's priority focus is on mobile and displaced people in affected areas.


Currently, above average prices of staple foods and deteriorated purchasing power for casual laborers and livestock owners are restricting accessing food, especially in remote districts of this province. Below average remittances are further restricting household food access.


according to OCHA, 20,049 individuals were displaced in 2020. This figure is 220% higher than in 2019. In 2020, most of these displacements occurred from September to October. Individuals were displaced to the center of Uruzgan, to nearby districts, and some to neighboring provinces like Daykundi and Kandahar.


27,044  ( 10,899 boys and 16,145 girls )  have been reached with safe and adequate drinking water  ( Safe and clean drinking water )  when the school/CBE  [ Community Based Education ]  are opened


Separately, the state minister for disaster management warns against another drought in the next Persian Year  ( beginning on March 21 ) .


Update service directories and referral pathways, to reflect changes in available services, informing civil society service providers and key communities about these new services. • To the extent possible, monitor and evaluate interventions, including safely gathering data disaggregated by sex, age and disability, to help inform efficiency and efficacy of VAWG service provision. • Promote and ensure access to psycho social counselling for staff and clients. • Ensure safety and well being of survivors who are suspected to have contracted or have contracted COVID 19, and support survivors throughout the process.


Women  ( 61% )  are more concerned than men  ( 47% )  on the impact of COVID 19 on their lifestyle  ( daily routine, ability to work & socialize, etc. )


A flexible and adaptive approach is needed to ensure that life saving services continue to be made available without compromising the safety of service providers and women and girls, and the level of service accessibility, availability and responsiveness.


MOPH  ( Afhanistan Ministry of Public Health )  Figures: MoPH data shows that as of 20 December, 50,677 people across all 34 provinces in Afghanistan are confirmed to have had COVID 19. Some 39,158 people have recovered, and 2,110 people have died – at least 86 of whom are healthcare workers. Only 189,385 people out of a population of 36.7 million have been tested.


Amongst these provinces, respondents settled in urban areas reported significantly greater access to distance learning modalities than those in rural areas, and is consistent with the results on those with access to public electricity and solar power, which also suggests that infrastructural differences heavily impact access to technology


In a survey done by Oxfam9 , 97% of female respondents said that gender based violence has increased since the COVID 19 outbreak started.