Children can be equipped with risk mitigation communication approved by the RCCE and through social distance measures, spread this lifesaving messaging to fellow peers and community members. With 65% of children reporting that a hotline doesn't exist, WV must ensure continued functioning of child friendly and survivor centered reporting mechanisms such as DoLSA's CP hotline and community based solutions for child friendly counselling, reporting, and response.


In addition, culturally appropriate positive parenting sessions must be conducted to equip parents with the knowledge and skills required to enhance the protective environment of children.

Priority interventions->Expressed by humanitarian staff


WV must continue its work engaging faith leaders as agents of community change to support family decision makers to better understand the long lasting negative effects of child marriage.


Children whose school shifted to distance learning  ( n=49 )  were asked about their biggest concerns with regards to this new learning method. Sixty seven percent said that their major concern was losing contact with teachers and professors when watching lessons through TV


Girls and boys in Afghanistan are at an increased risk of violence at home, resulting from a variety of compounding structural, interpersonal and individual level risk factors, including the increased economic strain placed on families, stay at home orders, school closures and other COVID 19 response measures.


Other shared concerns are related to not being able to ask questions when watching lessons on TV, incapacity to learn through this method and not being able to focus at home due to noise around.


The amplification of loneliness and isolation affected girls' and boys' mental health expressed by sadness.


[ Key COVID 19 Cumulative Response Figures / Education Sector ]  119,495 children reached with home based learning materials across 14 provinces. • 10,314 children across 4 provinces received education through small group learning. • 100,674 children across 11 provinces received IEC materials on COVID 19 preventative measures. • 318,970 children across 4 provinces sensitised on COVID 19 and preventive measures through TV and radio. • 1,231 teachers trained on safe school protocols for COVID 19 for when schools re open.

Capacities & response->International response


Some impediments were directly linked to Covid 19: in March, partners reported that Kabul airport authorities seemed to only accept PCR tests from a limited number of hospitals. Rather than being guided by medical advice, this seems to be a moneymaking scheme that also creates security and safety concerns for partners as these suggested hospitals do not necessarily have good safety and security measures.

Impact->Impact on systems, services and networks


This increase highlights the increasingly challenging access environment humanitarian partners are operating in, with interferences of conflict parties making principled humanitarian action a daily challenge.


The Afghan Ministry of Education decided to postpone school opening for the new education year in cold climate provinces and close all ongoing schools in warm climate provinces to mitigate the risk of student's infection with the virus.

Capacities & response->National response


Lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID 19 are exacerbating economic vulnerability of already impoverished households; exposing women and children to a heightened risk of exploitation and abuse; and increasing the likelihood of adoption of negative coping mechanisms, particularly in families where daily labour is the only source of income.


The most frequently reported barriers  [ to accessing healthcare ]  were: 75% Cost of medicines, 61% Cost of healthcare, 54% Cost of transport, 8% Insufficient capacity, 8% Distance and travel time


24% of households reported using an unimproved latrine type.


64% of households reported that they had delayed seeking medical care for critical health problems to save money in the 30 days prior to data collection


29% of households reported using an unimproved latrine type


The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are health workers themselves face problems in reaching their clinics and some of the clinics are overcrowded.


[ Operational support and logistics ]  The Logistics Working Group  ( LWG )  is supporting on logistics issues during the COVID 19 response. The Humanitarian Access group  ( HAG )  is working to resolve access issues on behalf of partners. FSAC partners continue to monitor the flow of commercial vehicles carrying humanitarian food and supplies across borders to mitigate pipeline breaks for critical food and non food items


[ Laboratories ] 14 laboratories are now operational. Afghanistan currently has technical capacity to carry out 5,500 tests per day. 193 healthcare workers have been trained in medical laboratory testing. Health Cluster partners are supporting testing through provision of diagnostic kits and other laboratory reagent


The reasons for low access to health facilities during COVID 19 days and the lockdowns are there is fear among people that by visiting health facilities there will be increased risk of getting infected.  ( this is quite high among the responders )


Community development achievements as of 31 August 2020: 3 multi purpose community centres constructed; 2 training centres for women and youth; 2 sports centres constructed, and uniforms for youth playing cricket and football provided; One minibus provided to facilitate transportation from rural to urban areas and marketplaces


Education achievements as of 31 August 2020: 24 schools constructed, 158 RHUs  [ Refugee Housing Units ]  proved to expand class room space, 2 playgrounds constructed, solar panels for 4 schools


In Afghanistan,1 Afghan forces ramped up air and ground operations, claiming to have inflicted over 100 fatalities on the Taliban.

Humanitarian conditions->Physical and mental well being


( 26 March   01 April 2021 ) IOM's Protection programme has supported 878 undocumented returnee households comprising at least one person with specific needs  ( PSN )  in 2021 through provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referral pathways are exhausted.


( 26 February   04 March 2021 )  IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 1,341  ( 4% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.


( 12 18 March 2021 )  In 2021, 130,559 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit in Nimroz, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response. Programming is supported by the UK's FCDO, DG ECHO, CERF, and the United States' Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration  ( BPRM ) .


1 in 4  ( 23% )  of all returned IDPs returned to Kunduz province.


The top 25 districts hosting the greatest numbers of returnees and IDPs  ( total inflow )    Returnees: 74,509; IDPs: 140,838


Moreover, 70% of urban households reported a decrease in income, of which 64% is attributed to decreased employment opportunities. This proportion is expected to increase substantially following the ongoing lockdown measures. The flow of remittances has also been impacted by global lockdowns due to COVID 19, leading to largescale unemployment.


Save the Children has temporarily suspended all non essential activities in Afghanistan to protect staff and beneficiaries from the effects of COVID 19. Emergency cash transfers for food are being implemented to ensure the most vulnerable don't go hungry.


Highlights from Jan June 2020 Baseline Mobility Assessment: 256,814 IDPs reside in informal settlements


Acceptance of a woman as the CEO of a large company   Strongly agree: 72%; somewhat agree: 13%; somewhat disagree: 4%; strongly disagree: 11%


( 29 Jan 04 Feb 2021 ) Under the Global Fund multi country TB grant in partnership with UNDP, a total of 9,113 undocumented Afghans were screened for tuberculosis at the Zero Point Reception Centres in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar. Of the total screened, 325 presumptive TB cases were identified and samples lab tested and 4 persons were confirmed positive for TB.


( 29 Jan 04 Feb 2021 ) In 2021, 71,312 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit in Nimroz, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response. Programming is supported by the UK's FCDO, DG ECHO, CERF, and the United States' Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration  ( BPRM ) .


According to the Health Ministry, as of Wednesday, Afghanistan has more than 17,000 COVID 19 infections, and that number rose by 758 in the 24 hour period from Tuesday.


Additionally, frontline NGO workers have recently received new deliveries of PPE – including both surgical and N95 masks, face shields and shoe covers – from WHO. In total, since the start of the pandemic, almost 1.3 million PPE items have been delivered by humanitarian partners to both MoPH and frontline NGO workers in Afghanistan. With a second wave of the gathering pace globally, there is an urgent need to ensure a rapid distribution of medical and protective equipment to all corners of the country.

Priority interventions
Capacities & response


Between 1 January and 31 October, WHO reports there were 67 incidents in 17 provinces across 40 districts. Direct, targeted attacks on health facilities and health workers now account for 78 per cent of all incidents. During this period, Afghanistan has witnessed the closure of 38 health facilities across four provinces, with threats of additional closures.


Advocacy is need on increasing assess to medical services.


The joint assessment team consisting of IOM  [ International Organization for Migration ] , DRC  [ Danish Refugee Council ] , ANDMA  [ Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority ] , ARCS  [ Afghan Red Crescent Society ] , WFP, Department of Refugees and Repatriation  ( DoRR ) , UNICEF, Agriculture Department and Economic Department continued assessment on 29 August 2020 that verified 71 families  ( 52 completely destroyed, 19 severely damage )  while the assessment is on going.


Availability of radio: 32.8% of families own radios  ( mainly through their mobiles phones which do not require batteries ) , while 67.2% of families do not use radios due to poor radio signal.


Applicability of Alternative Pathways  ( Distance and Self Learning )  in Urban Areas: 80.8 % of the total 48.1 % student beneficiaries settled in cities/outskirts can get benefit from the alternative options  ( distance learning and self  learning )  in urban areas, while 19.2% report not being able to access distance learning and self/home based learning options, indicating that only reduced size classes are a viable solution for them.


IOM  [ International Organization for Migration ]  used a one to one approach which seeks to transmit accurate, up to date information which can then support the spread of safe and timely information via family and friends to communities – a preferred means of receiving information.


Investing in urban agriculture increases the legitimacy of HLP rights in the view of authorities and host communities, leading to increased security of tenure of vulnerable groups.


Investing in urban agriculture provides an opportunity to integrate HLP with FSAC priorities for mutually beneficial outcomes in SHURA Townships and other settings. Integrated HLP/ FSAC programming provides legal recognition of land rights and makes land based investments to improve agricultural output. These two programmatic facets mutually reinforce residents' HLP rights and drive increases in agricultural productivity to enhance residents' livelihoods.


Afghanistan is constrained by limited institutional and workforce resources and capacities. These challenges along with COVID 19 have put the country at risk of spread of the diseases with high mortality and morbidity rates


Of total cases recovery rate is 9.28% and case fatality ratio is 1.63%


Wardak has been the most volatile province in the central region in the past three years, with IEA  [ Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ]  very active in most parts of the province. Number of incidents in 2020 has significantly increased in the province compare to the previous years. Jalrez, Behsud, Midan Shahr, Nerkh and Sayedabad are the most violent districts. Sayedabad has witnessed an increase in conflict activity this year and was the district to log the largest number of conflict related incidents in the first half of the year country wide. The level of activity in Sayedabad from January to June was three times greater than the same period in 2019.


Moreover, the survey findings reveal that 2.6% of participants 18 years old or above were IgM positive  ( current infection ) . Southeast region had the highest proportion of IgM positive  ( 7% ) , followed by Central region  ( 4.3% ) , Northeast region  ( 4% ) , Western region  ( 3.4% ) , Kabul region  ( 2.7% ) , Eastern region  ( 2.5% ) , Southern region 1.6% and Northern region  ( 1.4% )  and it was lowest in the Central highland region  ( 0.9% ) .


The survey findings indicate that the most frequent sources of income reported by the households are daily and casual labor, agriculture and livestock activities followed by salaried work.


The respondents were asked to provide number of meals daily consumed by children and adults before and since the COVID 19 outbreak. The findings suggests that there is a slight drop of meal consumption among children and the majority indicated that children have three regular meals per day  ( 64% before outbreak and 60% since the outbreak ) .


Household ability to meet needs: disinfectants, face masks, gloves  Not at all: 56%, Partially: 37%, Fully: 3%, Not Applicable: 5%


HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members strengthen systems so they are structured, resourced, transparent and accountable CP  [ Child Protection ]  system that can sustainably build and retain a cadre of trained social workers who are not affiliated with power dynamics and politics, rather than half attempts at short term solutions.


The Protection Cluster, UNICEF with lead CP  [ Child Protection ]  agencies work with the SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ]  to ensure support for specific practical provisions on protection of children are included in the negotiations and any peace agreement. This may include developing introductory training on Child Protection in Emergency, including child right components for relevant parties to conflict that would support early identification of CP issues; and preparing parties for future engagement at deeper and more meaningful level.


CP AoR  [ Child Protection Area of Responsibility ]  and PC  [ Protection Cluster ]  identify for HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members how to best support UNAMA  [ UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ]  Human Rights and other interlocutors engaged with the Commission to protect children against sexual and other forms of violence


The SRSG  [ Secretary General's Special Representative to Afghanistan ] , RC  [ Resident Coordinator ] , HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ]  and HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members should supplement and support existing efforts to ensure stronger advocacy including through a dialogue with government on increasing CTFMR  [ Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting ]  members efforts and accountability towards each other.


Community members reported marginalization of People Living With Disability and the elderly in the community. HHs reported limited access to assistive and mobility devices, increasing dependency of vulnerable groups on caregivers and challenges to meet their basic needs.


HCT  [ Humanitarian Country Team ]  members, led by UNICEF and the HC  [ Humanitarian Coordinator ] , should finding ways to ensure mechanisms for monitoring, reporting and complaints are in place and enforced including through the additional processes developing child protection and child safeguarding polices. For example, the Common Child Protection Policy for the Defence Sector which include the National Security Council, the Defence and the Interior Ministries for children in armed conflict and the Policy for Children in Conflict with Law that are currently in draft.


The Security Council should strongly condemn all grave violations, especially killing and maiming children through deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and personnel, or the use of aerial strikes and explosive objects in populated areas; urge all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law  ( IHL )  and international human rights law  ( IHRL ) .


Although Al Hayat and Afghan Japan, the main COVID 19 treatment hospitals in Kabul, had ventilators, healthcare workers raised concerns that most healthcare professionals were unfamiliar with how to operate them, which resulted in high death rates for admitted patients requiring a ventilator.


2020 now the largest ever return year on record for undocumented Afghan migrants with the total exceeding the 805,000 migrants that returned in 2018.


For those who have been studying, how have they done so? People in this household have been teaching them/helping them study: 56%, Using existing books/materials: 58%, With paper packets distributed by teachers/schools: 21%, Using online resources: 4%, Followed classes broadcast on TV: 22%, Followed classes broadcast on radio: 7%


Actors should consider the purchase of food produced locally to support the local economy and ensure vulnerable families have food. In doing so particular care must be taken to avoid disrupting local pricing, in particular given the increases in food prices already highlighted.


Despite of low infection in higher age groups the case fatality ratios are getting increased. Almost 22% of deaths is recorded in age group of >70 years.


Provinces such as Helmand, Ghor, Kapisa, Badakhshan, Urozgan and Nooristan have not reported any deaths yet. However, it should be noted that few provinces have good reporting mechanism while in some other provinces the deaths are not properly reported and recorded at provincial level

Humanitarian conditions
Capacities & response


COVID 19 in Afghanistan   Total Deaths: 309; Total Recovered: 1,763; Active Cases: 16,897; Total Cases: 18,969; New Cases: 915


7% do not return to their areas of origin due to lack of livelihood opportunities, perceived insecurity, lack of basic services including schools, reunification with family/relatives, and lack of housing/shelter.


A total of 12,787 people including vulnerable families from host communities, IDPs in protracted displacement and returnees from Iran received humanitarian assistance in Balkh, Faryab, Jawzjan and Sar e Pul provinces.


Over 1,000 people were reportedly displaced by ongoing fighting in Baghlan province. Assessment teams identified 199 households  ( approximately 1,393 people )  displaced by conflict in Baghlan, Badakhshan and Kunduz provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.


On 28 March, the Afghan government placed the city of Kabul on a three week lockdown, which included closing of nonessential businesses and restriction of movement; this was extended to 21 May 2020


With screening staff operating at the Herat and Nimroz border points as well as case workers operational across 11 provinces of return, this week the Protection team carried out case management assessments for 52 new People with specific needs households in Nimroz, Ghor, Takhar, Sare Pul, Kunduz, and Faryab. These cases included 12 people with serious medical conditions, 6 older persons at risk, 5 women at risk, 5 children at risk, and 1 single parent


Interagency assessment teams identified 47,012 people to receive immediate humanitarian assistance. A total of 13,216 people received humanitarian assistance including IDPs, undocumented returnees, and people who received food aid as part of the COVID 19 response.


On 1 July, the Wolesi Jirga approved amendments to the national budget, shifting funds from development projects in insecure provinces and from the operational budget to the new budget line for COVID 19 related interventions.


Six children  ( three girls and three boys )  were also verified as having been abducted by the Taliban.


Since 2016, the number of returnees has significantly decreased each year, although returns from Europe marginally increased.


In the wake of the pandemic, the existing challenges for elderly people living in Afghanistan have been exacerbated, such as limited medical access due to lockdown, public transport limitations, and lack of mental health support.


Food security was heavily impacted for all Afghans, as the country is highly dependent on imported food and goods.


Many families rely on remittances from Iran and Pakistan, which were reduced 50 per cent between April and June as the result of similar economic turbulence in both countries during this period.


In April 2020, the government opened national food reserves for public use and experimented with distribution of wheat in West Kabul.


There is a critical need for further awareness raising by health care organisations with a specific gendered outreach to ensure women receive accurate information.


These two visions of COVID 19 as linked to lack of faith and foreigners/returnees have real health implications. Returnees may hide that they have come from abroad and be reluctant to report symptoms. Those with symptoms may not acknowledge them and seek treatment if it causes others to judge them as lacking in faith.


8%  [ of respondents ]  think that if you believe in God, it will not harm you, others noted “Muslims are not affected by this disease' and “I heard from scholars that whoever does not sin will not get this disease'. This attitude poses problems in terms of prevention – prayer will not prevent COVID 19 – and potential social stigma for survivors in the future, as some may conclude that those who fall ill are ‘bad' Muslims.8


Female participants were not aware of where to get information about protection services for Gender Based Violence – but did not mention how Concern could better share this information with them.


Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever  ( CCHF )  is an acute zoonotic disease caused by a tickborne virus  ( Nairovirus )  transmitted through contact with infected ticks or animal blood, human to human contact  ( through infectious blood or body fluids ) , or the use of improperly sterilized medical equipment and supplies. The disease has haemorrhagic manifestations with considerable mortality in humans. Major complications of CCHF include hepatitis, rapid kidney deterioration, sudden liver failure or pulmonary failure which may lead to death  ( CFR up to 30% ) .


97% of the interviewed returnees/deportees from Iran and 14% from Pakistan stated that they will try to find a job in their province of origin. 37% of the interviewed returnees and deportees stated they would like to join the police/army. The latter was satated by a very small number of interviewed deportees and returnees from Iran  ( 0.1% )  in 2020.


Afghanistan is a complex and fragile environment with natural and man made disasters exacerbated by protracted conflicts at local and national levels


In Uruzgan province, sporadic hostilities were reported in Tirinkot, Gizab and Dehrawud districts with ongoing clashes between ANSF and an NSAG. New displacement is predicted in Dehrawud district as the fighting intensifies.


The Norwegian Red Cross has in country presence and strongly support ARCS network of 45 clinics with health interventions, WASH and CBHFA activities across the country.


Overall, many poor households are expected to be unable to meet all essential food needs, with Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes likely.


Coordinate with national and local government bodies to ensure women are part of COVID 19 coordination and response, taskforce, and committees.


The nominal retail price of rice in Jalalabad was maximum from October 2020 to February 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.


The nominal retail price of wheat flour in Nili was maximum in January 2021 and was minimum in October 2020.


Humanitarian Mine Action survey and clearance is recommended in Panjwaye, Arghandab, and Zhari districts of Kandahar province to ensure safe returns.


As of 04.05.2020 MoPH data, Kabul has outnumbered Herat in number of cases and deaths with 779 confirmed cases and 16 deaths. Herat has now reported 571 confirmed cases and 14 deaths, followed by Kandahar  ( 393 confirmed cases and 8 deaths ) , Balkh  ( 208 confirmed cases and 13 deaths ) , and Paktya  ( 125 confirmed cases and 3 death ) .


Cases are expected to increase rapidly over the weeks ahead as community transmission escalates, creating grave implications for Afghanistan's economy and people's well being. Kabul is now the most affected part of the country, followed by Hirat, Kandahar and Balkh.


The nominal retail price of wheat grain in Kandahar was maximum in October 2020 and was minimum in September 2020.


The nominal retail price of wheat flour in Kandahar was maximum in October 2020 and was minimum in September 2020.


Seventy five per cent of displaced people with self reported needs indicated they would prefer those needs to be met in cash.


The Darulaman Palace  ( 300 beds )  and Kabul and PolyTechnic universities' dormitories have been converted into isolation facilities in Kabul city.


In 2020, the school year may also extend into winter to allow catch up classes for those missed during COVID 19 lockdowns. This will mean additional resources to keep children warm at school.


The response will focus on urban and rural areas, reaching the majority of those identified to be in ‘crisis' and ‘emergency' levels of food insecurity  ( IPC 3 and 4 )  throughout the year, although with different volumes of assistance.


Disease surveillance campaigns will continue and MHTs  [ Mobile Health Teams ]  will be augmented to include an additional vaccination component. The Health Cluster will support the Protection Cluster and channel Mental Health and Psychosocial Support  ( MHPSS )  support through health services to meet increased need. The Cluster will link its COVID 19 activities with the polio eradication programme, which was paused due to physical distancing requirements. The linkage will provide additional resources to support COVID 19 surveillance, contact tracing and community awareness.


The need for such training  [ Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development training programme, held online from January to April 2020.  ]  in developing and conflict affected nations is particularly pressing, as frontier technologies also carry the risk of increasing technological inequalities.


Another incident affecting a health facility due to inaccurate fire and resulting in a humanitarian casualty was recorded in January when during crossfire between ANSF and the Taliban, a projectile impacted against an NGO run clinic and wounded a nurse.


Food prices are already at elevated levels due to COVID 19 and are likely to increase further if the current weather patterns persist.


The Taliban also targeted Afghan forces, leading to fierce clashes, the most lethal of which took place in Herat, Wardak, Balkh, and Zabul provinces. The Taliban used suicide attacks with car bombs in the Shindand district of Herat and Shah Joi district of Zabul.


The 11 incidents recorded in Q1 2021 are on par with the 12 incidents logged in Q4 but clearly below the 25 physical constraints recorded in Q1 2020


In Q1 2021, the HAG recorded at least 56 access constraints resulting from military operations and kinetic activity. The number of access constraints in the first quarter of 2021 significantly surpassed the levels recorded during the same period of Q1 of 2020, but were at a much lower level than incident numbers in Q4 2020, when humanitarian actors were affected in at least 94 instances dictated by an overall high level of conflict activity across the country  ( see figure 5 ) .


Livelihood and/or income generation programs are recommended to mitigate reliance on negative coping strategies, including early and forced marriage and HHs debt accrual.


The nominal retail price of Wheat Grain in Maimana was Maximum from December 2020 to February2021 and was minimum from September to November 2020.


The number of access constraints stemming from military operations and kinetic activity decreased by 40 per cent, from 94 incidents in Q4 2020 to 56 in Q1 2021. The drop can be mainly attributed to a significant reduction in access constraints due to ongoing fighting. This is in line with an overall reduction in fighting in the first three months of 2021, compared to Q4 2020.


While local implementing partners and community elders can play an important role in facilitating engagement with Taliban, the HAG cautions against attempts to fully outsource outreach to external partners and advises to consider direct engagement at a local level;


Partners operating in Taliban controlled, or influenced areas require a coherent, well developed access strategy, including on strong engagement with local Taliabn;


Take immediate action to benefit from newly created initiatives and funds to fight the outbreak of COVID 19 like: e )  The Global Fund continues to work closely with partners at global, regional and country levels on COVID 19 preparedness and response, from resource mobilization for CEPI  ( Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation ) , mobilizing the private sector, securing the supply of vital medical products and expediting the development of diagnostics, to support WHO's overall leadership of the global response.


On the ANSF  ( Afghan National Security Force )  side, the HAG  ( Humanitarian Access Group )  recorded two detentions of humanitarians in Q4, including one arrest by NDS  ( National Directorate of Security )  on suspicion of cooperation with NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban )  , and one temporary detention of an NGO staff member by NDS  ( National Directorate of Security ) due to an alleged misunderstanding.


NSAG TB initiated 36 incidents involving violence against humanitarians in Q4, nearly on par with the 39 incidents recorded in Q3. This included 15 abductions and at least one temporary detention, during which at least 24 humanitarian workers were abducted or detained.


The increase in the number of threats and intimidation attempts, up from 22 in 2019 to 46 incidents in 2020, can equally be explained by financial motivation. While the majority of threats  ( 32 )  was attributed to NSAG TB, they were mostly driven by financial motivation rather than by ideology.


In five instances, access was impeded by the lack of road infrastructure following NSAG TB  ( Non State Armed Group – Taliban ) attacks on key infrastructure.


Industry and services have been severely impacted by the COVID 19 crisis. Demand for goods and services is being suppressed by lockdown measures.


Apart from the above mentioned examples, neither government or NSAG TB members directly opposed or targeted C 19 response activities. However, while there might not have been direct opposition, both government and NSAG TB continued their ‘regular' interferences with humanitarian activities, thereby also delaying C 19 response activities.


These borders restrictions also significantly impacted food prices in local markets. According to WFP's market price survey for June, almost all main food commodity prices had increased by 15 to 40 per cent, compared to pre C 19 prices, while casual laborers' and pastoralists' purchasing power decreased by four and 11 per cent respectively. Since then, the start of the harvest season and the recent border reopening have led to a decrease in food prices, compared to June, while casual laborers' and pastoralists' purchasing power also improved.


Transportation and roads are to be clear for clinics


The ICCT has also produced a contingency plan for an earthquake affecting a major city in Afghanistan with serious impacts especially for people's shelter and NFI needs. The scenario plans for a magnitude 7.6 earthquake with an epicentre between Kabul and Jalalabad, affecting 7 million people and leaving 3 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. While this risk is considered an ongoing possibility with a high impact for which detailed contingency planning is required, the likelihood a quake will strike in any given year is low, with no major earthquake having struck Kabul in modern times.


Against the odds, humanitarians have maintained a national presence, expanded their geographical reach and anticipate reaching the vast majority of the people they planned to support by the end of 2020. However, the depth of the assistance provided has been limited by underfunding  ( 49 per cent of requirements received with two weeks of 2020 remaining ) . Due to funding constraints and urgent COVID 19 needs, there has been greater focus on higher reach, lower cost and less comprehensive programming  ( such as mass awareness raising and prevention campaigns, risk communications and community engagement  ( RCCE )  activities, remote education rollout ) . This has been at the expense of more complex and costly durable interventions that require greater time and investment, such as transitional shelter or health system strengthening.

Capacities & response->People reached/response gaps


International flights resumed in June but continue to be unreliable, with many last minute cancellations. Both Turkish and Emirates airlines requiring for passengers to have a negative C 19 test. Local flights also resumed in mid July. The UNHAS airbridge connecting Kabul and Doha continues to operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, only accommodating transiting passengers. UNHAS has been closely monitoring demand on the Doha Airbridge and noted a significant reduction in passenger loads with the resumption of commercial flights. However, given the lack of clarity on continuity and predictability of services from commercial airlines, UNHAS remains committed to support the Doha Airbridge until 30 September 2020 as per the initial plan.


Most of these IDPs  ( 75% )  are found in need of urgent humanitarian assistance as per the historical trend data from the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster  ( FSAC )  Afghanistan. Although there are various assessments and definitions of IDPs in Afghanistan, IDPs are mainly categorized under new, prolonged or protracted IDPs.


Health workers are the major source of information and are most trusted. The social networks and news media are another source of information. Religious leaders and community elders are considered as trust worthy. People have given feedback on the posters and other communication tools. It is important to consider their feedback on reduced contents in the poster. Develop simple and pictorial messages. The posters should not be clumsy


36% of respondents mentioned family members are the source of health information.


Entrepreneurs among returnees receive financial assistance to open businesses and pay rent.


59% of the respondents regarded themselves as likely to be infected with COVID  19 and men  ( 60% )  responded which is marginally higher than women  ( 58% ) .


All  ( 100% of parents )  indicated they do not have access to tablets/smart phone/internet. Moreover, all  ( 100% of parents )  stated they were not willing to give permission to their children to use tablets or smart phones if they had access to these devices. Yet all  ( 100% of parents )  have access to simple phones with basic features that could support radio. To note, in these three districts, only the fathers are reported to have access to the simple mobile phones, and not the mothers, due to the social customs.


Production of fruit and nuts for processing and export is being negatively impacted by disruption to supply chains and closure of export routes.


While government and non government organisations' mechanisms for providing compensation or aid to victims of the conflict do exist, over 75 per cent of victims who stated that they applied for assistance reported that they are still awaiting their compensation, did not receive the full amount, or were unsuccessful in their application. One victim reported being told he would need to pay bribes to apply for compensation with the Government of Afghanistan.


At least 8.8 million people will be in “Crisis'  ( IPC Phase 3 ) , and 4.3 million people are expected to be in “Acute Emergency'  ( IPC Phase 4 ) . Furthermore, around 10.6 million people will be borderline of "food insecure"  ( IPC Phase 2 ) .


From the above graph, Mass Media  ( 92% ) , the local Prayer hall/Masjid  ( 92% ) , fellow prisoners  ( 84% ) , Jail warden  ( 84% )  and health workers  ( 52% )  are the major sources of information on COVID 19. Prison guards  ( 12% )  and visiting family members  ( 32% )  are the other sources of information. The following is the analysis of the gender differences related to source of information


Preventive measures: Avoid shaking hands and social hugging as greetings  ( 20% ) , Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash hand after sneezing  ( 40% ) , Avoid contacting anyone who is sick especially with the symptoms of cough, cold and fever  ( 44% ) , staying indoors  ( 44% )  and wash hands regularly using soap and water frequently  ( 48% )


Kabul Region had the highest proportion of COVID 19 positive infection  ( 53% )  followed by East Region  ( 42.9% ) , Central Region  ( 36.3% ) , West Region  ( 34.1% ) , Northeast Region  ( 32.4% ) , Southeast Region  ( 32.2% ) , North Region  ( 30.7% )  and lowest was in CentralHighland Region  ( 21.1% )  followed by South Region  ( 25.8% )


The survey findings also reveal that the proportion of IgM positive among participants aged 5 17 was 3.3%  ( 4.1% males and 2.3% females ) . The highest proportion of IgM positive was reported in the south region  ( 4.7% ) , followed by Kabul region  ( 3.5% ) , West region  ( 3.3% ) , Central region and Northeast region  ( both 2.8% ) , Southeast region  ( 2.4% ) , Central highland region  ( 1.6% ) , East region  ( 1.4% )  and lowest the North region  ( 1.2% ) . Furthermore, the proportion of IgM positive was 3.7% in rural areas compared to 2.3% in urban areas during the survey.


For instance, in Kabul province, more than half of the province's population has achieved the required herd immunity, the lowest reported herd immunity of 43%, while this proportion is 21 percent in the central highland. As majority of the populations are still at risk of infection.


Over 200 health staff are presently deployed to support the Ministry of Public Health's Response efforts in 5 provinces with a new deployment in Ghor province over the past week. Over 500 community health workers have also been trained on COVID awareness and personal protective measures in Nimroz, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.


WV must strengthen the ability of existing family, community and national level systems to provide mental health and psychosocial support to children and caregivers. This should be achieved by building capacity of existing structures such as Faith Leader Forums, to deliver PSS activities for children in a COVID 19 conscious modality  ( home to home sessions, socially distanced activities in Madrasas ) .


( S ) GBV is a plight in Afghanistan. In the bigger cities the situation has improved over the years, but not in the villages. “There is a direct correlation between levels of education and violence against women. In rural, impoverished areas, there's more domestic violence and more gender based violence', specifies Attaiy. “Often', Omari adds, “this violence is the result of misinterpretations of Sharia laws.'


It is significantly clear that the COVID responders have better access to PPE health gear compared to other health workers. However, the announcement of MoPH that 50% of the health professionals are into COVID 19 response and encourage more to join in the response. The rural communities are not tested yet and thus keeps the pressure on health worker's safety


Specific family shocks, such as parents or family members who were ill or disabled, are drivers of migration and this will only increase under COVID 19.


Most children and their families do not want to move but feel that they have no other choice but to do so. In discussions, participants often used the language of obligation and of being ‘forced' to make a decision on migration because they see no other options.


Respondents indicated limited access to information about COVID 19. Out of 161 women respondents, 73 think their community has limited information about the pandemic; 63 feels that people have all the right information, and 24 said people have no information.


The Directorate of Mine Action Coordination  ( DMAC )  is a directorate of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority  ( ANDMA )  and coordinates the sector taking a country wide approach to needs and has a crucial role in increasing mine action activities to protect children.


Government and Health actors should work together to ensure healthcare is universally accessible and barriers  ( fees, excessive travel distance, lack of female staff )  addressed as a matter of urgency.


Issue exceptions on movement restriction policies for GBV survivors or those at risk of experiencing violence to seek safety and access support.


Development Actors should ensure the design and implementation of gender responsive and transformative social safety net responses in coordination with humanitarian actors.


Active fighting, increased risks from improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs ) , and threats to health workers have resulted in partial or total closures of several health facilities in the region, and had adversely affected nearly 140,000 people across the three provinces as of November 18, according to relief actors


The GoA's decision to close schools from mid November to March 2021 in provinces that are most affected by winter conditions will affect approximately 115,000 children who would lose humanitarian support provided through schools.


In Hilmand province, fighting between the n Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF )  and a non state armed group  ( NSAG )  continued in Nade Ali and Nawa e Barakzaiy districts. Fighting was also reported in Shamul Zayi district, Zabul province. In Kandahar province, the security situation remained tense mainly in Zheray, Panjwayi and Arghandab districts.


Amongst some of the most vulnerable displaced populations, over 80 per cent of families have reported debts leading to difficulties in paying rent or other basic housing. This has prompted increased levels of borrowing by families to cover food, education or rent.


To Humanitarian Actors: • provide livelihoods support to small, medium and micro businesses and utilise cash interventions, including cash for rent and protection • redouble efforts to understand and address the immediate and long term challenges as a result of missed education due to the Covid 19 lockdown • prioritize ongoing monitoring of the secondary impacts of Covid 19 to ensure that new and emerging needs are identified, planned for, and addressed


( 25 February 2021 ) Only 293,649 people out of a population of 40.4 million have been tested.


( 19 25 February 2021 ) Under the Global Fund multi country TB grant in partnership with UNDP, a total of 9,423 undocumented Afghans were screened for tuberculosis at the Zero Point Reception Centres in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar and Nangarhar. Of the total screened, 308 presumptive TB cases were identified, 304 were tested for sputum and 7 persons were confirmed positive for TB.


( 29 Jan 04 Feb 2021 ) IOM's Protection programme has supported 276 undocumented returnee households comprising at least one person with specific needs  ( PSN )  in 2021 through provision of timely information, facilitating safe and dignified access to services, and provision of assistance including cash to mitigate identified protection risks and avoid resorting to negative coping mechanisms when referral pathways are exhausted.


Only 335,965 people out of a population of 40.4 million have been tested.


On 25 March, 935 internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  received humanitarian assistance in Kandahar province.


The nominal retail price of rice in Kabul was maximum in October 2020 and was minimum in September 2020


A total of 4,767 people received winter assistance in Daykundi province. In addition, the Government provided winter assistance to 2,100 people in Khost province.


A total of 3,829 people affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Faryab and Jawzjan provinces.


Pulses: The average price decreased by 0.1% compared to the fourth week of November but remained 21% higher than 14 March. Prices decreased in: Nuristan  ( 3% ) , Urozgan, Zabul, Kandahar, Nimroz and Hilmand  ( 1% ) , Prices decreased due to the reduced level of pulses being used as a result of the availability of locally produced vegetables. Meanwhile prices increased in: Balkh  ( 4% ) , Kunar ( 3% )  and Nangarhar  ( 1% ) , due to a temporary supply shortfall. Prices were highest in Hilmand, Nimroz, Kandahar, and Bamyan  ( AFN 121, 113, 105, and 105 per kg, respectively ) , due to the use of high quality red beans. Prices were lowest in Takhar, Sari Pul and Hirat  ( AFN 68, 72 and 73 per kg, respectively ) .


The nominal retail price of rice in Jalalabad was maximum in from October 2020 to January 2021 and was minimum in September 2020.


Interviewed returnees from Iran were travelling to 33 provinces, with the majority  ( 70% )  intend to return to Herat, Nimroz, Faryab, Takhar, Ghor, Badghis, Ghazni, Balkh, Kunduz, and Farah, provinces.


67% of the respondents went to Iran in search of livelihoods opportunities, 24% due to conflict, 6% to visit family/relatives, 2% for medical treatment, and 1% for other reasons.


2016 through 2018 saw record numbers of Afghans displaced by conflict and natural disasters, with about 1 million displaced each year, based on our key informants' estimates.


According to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation  ( DoRR ) , a total of 17,217 Afghans returned from Iran through the Nimroz  ( Milak )  and Herat  ( Islam Qala )  borders between 06 12 December 2020, a 3% increase from the previous week  ( 16,704 ) .


Onion: The average price decreased by 1.3% compared to the second week of November. The decrease occurred in: Zabul ( 43% )  and Badakhshan  ( 13% ) . The main reason for the decrease was improved supply. Meanwhile price increased in Urozgan ( 20% ) , Laghman  ( 13% ) , Kandahar  ( 11% )  and Nimroz  ( 5% ) . The main reasons for the increase were higher seasonal demand and its export to Pakistan.


Sugar: The average price decreased by 0.1% compared to the second week of November and was 18% higher than 14 March. The decrease occurred in Jawzjan  ( 9% ) , Kunar  ( 6% ) , Laghman ( 4% )  and Nangarhar  ( 2% ) , due to increased supply. Meanwhile prices increased in Kandahar  ( 13% ) , Nuristan ( 6% )  and Paktika  ( 2% ) , due to high demand and shortage of supply.


Wheat Flour  ( Low Price ) : The average price remained unchanged compared to second week of November, and remained 11% higher than 14 March.


Interviewed returnees from Iran were travelling to all 34 provinces across the country, with the majority  ( 69% )  stated that they were intending to return to Herat, Faryab, Nimroz, Takhar, Ghor, Kunduz, Badghis, Balkh, Farah, and Ghazni provinces


( 20 31 December 2020 ) In 2020, 575,564 patients have been served by IOM's Migration Health Unit in Nimroz, Helmand, Ghor, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces with basic health care  outpatient consultations, maternal, child and neo natal health care, reproductive health, family planning and COVID 19 response. Programming is supported by the UK's FCDO, the Governments of Japan, Canada, Germany, DG ECHO, CERF, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund and the United States' Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration  ( BPRM ) .


During the reporting period, a humanitarian partner provided winterisation assistance to 400 households  ( approximately 2,800 people )  in Uruzgan, Nimroz and Zabul provinces. In Kandahar, the number of families humanitarian partners aim to reach with winterization support increased from 600 to 800; and in Hilmand, the target increased from 500 to 800 families.


The increase in bureaucratic impediments, from one recorded incident in 2019 to 40 such incidents in 2020, is indicative of a more tense relationship between the GOA  ( Government of Afghanistan )  and the humanitarian community.


Between 11 January and 14 February, 24,075 people – including pregnant and lactating women – across Kunar and Nangahar provinces were reached with COVID 19 awareness raising sessions by Nutrition Cluster partners. A total of 419,223 people across the country have been sensitised on COVID 19 preventive measures by Nutrition Cluster partners since the start of the COVID 19 crisis.


In 2020, the HAG recorded 225 movement restrictions, compared to 43 in 2019. The biggest impediment to humanitarian movement was the presence of checkpoints along the major routes.


During the reporting period, 700 people displaced by conflict were assessed by interagency assessment teams and will receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Hirat province.


Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces. In Kunduz province, approximately 4,879 people were reportedly displaced by ongoing fighting.


Afghanistan now has a test positivity rate – positive tests as a percentage of total tests – of 23 per cent, suggesting overall under testing of potential cases


Armed clashes between Afghan National Security Forces ( ANSF )  and an non state armed group ( NSAG )  continued in Balkh, Faryab, Sar e Pul, Jawzjan and Samangan provinces.


This week  [  ( 28 December 2020  3 January 2021  ] , 8,596 people received cash assistance for winter in Ghazni, Kapisa, Paktika, Bamyan and Logar provinces. Needs assessments continued for vulnerable people in need of winter assistance across the central part of the country.


Interference with recruitment by both parties to the conflict is reported throughout the country, but also significantly underreported as these incidents rarely cause a serious threat or lead to suspensions of project activities.


During the reporting period, interagency assessment teams identified 1,660 people displaced by conflict to receive immediate humanitarian assistance in Kandahar province. On 27 January, 1,301 IDPs received humanitarian assistance in Kandahar province.


Some humanitarian activities were suspended in Panjwayi district in Kandahar Province due to ongoing fighting. Needs assessments for people affected by conflict were temporary suspended due to ongoing fighting in Gizab district, Uruzgan province.


WFP provided 652,603 people struck by the socioeconomic impact of COVID 19 with a total of US$4.6 million in cash based transfers  ( CBT ) .


As fighting and insecurity intensified, civilian and humanitarian movements are assessed as risky along roads connecting provincial capital to district centres across the north.


Health partners provides outpatient health services to 10,588 returnees, IDPs, and host community; and 7,752 children were vaccinated for OPV, IPV and measles including OPV vaccination at the Torkham Border.


During the past week, 19,763 patients were served by IOM's mobile health teams, inclusive of 3,158 outpatient consultations, health education sessions for 16,605 persons and psychosocial counselling sessions for 875 patients.


Wheat Flour  ( High Price ) : The average price decreased by 0.5% compared to the fourth week of January, and was still 11% higher than 14 March.The decrease occurred in: Bamyan  ( 11% ) , Zabul  ( 5% ) , Badghis, Nimroz and Daykundi  ( 3% ) .The decrease was due to WFP food aid that some HHs recently received assistance in Bamyan and Daykundi and improved supply in the other three provinces. Meanwhile prices increased in Hilmand  ( 5% ) , Ghor and Urozgan  ( 3% )  and Kandahar  ( 2% )  due to higher transport costs connected to increase in fuel price and decreased supply. The highest prices reported in Nuristan, Kandahar, Hilmand and Urozgan  ( 40, 40, 39 and 39 AFN per kg, respectively )  while the lowest prices were in Hirat, Sari Pul, Bamyan and Badghis  ( 30, 33, 33 and 33 AFN per kg, respectively ) .


Reason for entry to Country of Prior Residence  ( CoPR ) : 77% went to Iran in search of livelihoods opportunities, 14% due to conflict, 4% to visit family/relatives, 2%  ( mainly deportees )  to move to Turkey and onward to Europe, 1% for medical treatment, 1% due to drought, and 1% for other reasons;


In comparison to 2017, the overall number of IDPs increased only slightly in 2018, but decreased by 31% in 2019


This is particularly concerning as household income dropped and debt deepened as a result of the socioeconomic pressures of the pandemic, making it more difficult to cope and recovery farther from reach.


In most rural areas, Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  outcomes are widespread and are expected to persist throughout the projection period. However, in areas that harvested lower amounts and in areas worst affected by conflict, Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  outcomes are likely during the remainder of the lean season. Throughout the country, an increasing number of poor households particularly those with below average stocks or who are adversely affected by lower remittances are expected to deteriorate to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  as the lean season progresses and stocks are exhausted.


The Government of Afghanistan and the UN have initiated a number of steps to prepare for the rollout of a COVID 19 vaccine across the country, including the establishment of a dedicated National Technical Working Group  ( TWG )  for COVID 19 response within the MoPH.


Conflict and potentially drought related displacement are expected to create both shelter and NFI needs in displacement sites.


Urgent front loading of funding is needed to pre empt needs, avert the need for a more complex and prolonged response to displacement and to reduce suffering among an already distressed population.


Afghan Red Crescent Society's COVID 19 response received coordinated support from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners: IFRC, ICRC, Norwegian Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent, Qatar Red Crescent, Turkish Red Crescent, Canadian Red Cross, China Red Cross and Singapore Red Cross.


All Pro Government Forces should increase transparency of investigations into civilian casualty incidents and communicate results to civilian victims and their relatives; ensure adequate, effective, and prompt reparations are provided for harm suffered; prioritize implementation of the revised Government system for provision of victim assistance in order to promptly clear the backlog of pending applications andaddress new claims from victims;and consider additional non monetary forms of redress, such as apologies and acknowledgement of harm, to restore trust amongst affected communities.


All Anti Government Elements should cease the use of indirect fire  ( mortars, rockets and grenades )  in populated areas.


Additional paediatricians are needed at Inpatient Departments for Severe Acute Malnutrition  ( IPD SAM )  wards to deal with the COVID 19 outbreak.


The revised Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP )  for 2018  2021 identifies 18.4 million people in humanitarian need in 2021, as a result of COVID 19, ongoing conflict and natural disasters.


In addition to registration and communication material, UNICEF has distributed vaccines, syringes and safety boxes to all 34 provinces. To date, Afghanistan has received 968,000 doses of the vaccine, enabling the vaccination of some 484,000 people.


Improved Seed: The average price rose by 0.2% compared to the fourth week of January . The increase occurred only in: Badghis  ( 6% ) , due to decreased supply resulted from seasonal problems in accessibility. Meanwhile price decreased only in Takhar  ( 1% ) , due to less demand in the lean season. Prices were highest in Ghazni, Wardak, Khost and Daykundi  ( AFN 3,547, 3,547, 2,390 and 2,247 per 50 kg respectively )


Scale up of mobile health teams and health surveillance to deal with the health implications of the likely drought, disease and malnutrition in these locations will be important. This need will increase in the event of displacement.


The populations most at risk are those that: ➢ Depend heavily on the informal economy or are indebted ➢ Occupy areas prone to shocks ➢ Live in high density formal or informal settlements ➢ Have inadequate access to social and health services or political influence ➢ Have limited capacities and opportunities to cope and adapt ➢ Have limited or no access to technologies


The lingering impact of the drought in rural communities, combined with consecutive years of conflict, widespread displacement, annual exposure to flooding and the subsequent interruption to agriculture, have resulted in high levels of hunger and malnutrition.


While the border with Pakistan was officially closed to people movements on 16 March, it is likely that there is also some continued informal movement of people across the border.


The Taliban should strengthen the work of the Commission for the Prevention of Civilian Casualties and Complaints, including the relationship of its leaders with organizations doing work on civiliancasualties and increaseits focus towards preventing civilian casualties, in addition to investigating incidents, including through training for fighters on international humanitarian law.


More than 53,000 Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since 1 January 2021. This is a more than doubling of previous years' trends, which saw 23,000 and 25,000 people return in the first months of 2019 and 2020, respectively.


By the end of September 2020, assistance had been provided to least 8 million people in every district of the country – a huge achievement given the circumstances.


In February, the HAG logged four levy requests, with all of them occurring in the north and northeastern regions. The four incidents highlight the increasing challenge for partners to find exemptions to levy requests. In one incident, trucks contracted to transport humanitarian goods were stopped at a NSAG TB checkpoint and despite the drivers being equipped with a letter issued by NSAG TB supposed to grant free passage, NSAG TB members manning the checkpoint were asking for additional documents. In order to continue their travel, the drivers paid informal taxation.


Additionally, {WHO recommends ]  preventive and control strategies in the animal sector should be implemented including the building of national capacities in animal health, improving skills to address health problems at the animal human environment interface, integrating surveillance of zoonotic diseases, and supporting joint risk assessments, outbreak investigations and control, as well as cross border collaboration and information sharing.


Protection, Gender and Inclusion : Afghan Red Crescent Society reached 35,000. Among them 17,500 were male and 17,500 female.


On average, livestock prices have gradually increased in Afghanistan since the 2018 drought. In January 2021, prices were above average at the national level, mainly due to average to above average precipitation in the 2019/20 wet season which generally supported pasture availability and livestock body conditions


Though labour availability is higher than during the peak of COVID 19 restrictions around May 2020  ( when an average of 1.4 days of work were available per week ) , current levels of around 1.7 days per week are the second lowest recorded since January 2014. Both casual labor wages and availability typically decrease during winter.


The IFRC Afghanistan Country Delegation has setup a technical support platform for Afghan Red Crescent Society  ( ARCS  )  in addressing emergencies and longer terms programmes while supporting ARCS organization development at large. Across the emergency response, IFRC has supported Afghan Red Crescent Society disaster management teams and volunteers for needs assessment, resource mobilization and for the design and implementation of the emergency operation, in close coordination with other Red Cross Red Crescent partners, IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Delegation  ( APRD )  and IFRC Headquarters in Geneva.


Health Services: Hospitals and clinics continue to report challenges maintaining or expanding their facilities' capacity to treat patients with COVID 19, as well as maintaining essential health services, especially in areas of active conflict. WHO stresses the need to balance the demands of responding directly to COVID 19, with simultaneously engaging in strategic planning and coordinated action to maintain essential health service delivery, mitigating against the risk of system collapse.


As of early November, humanitarian actors had identified more than 15,200 internally displaced persons  ( IDPs )  in Helmand, approximately 3,500 IDPs in Kandahar, and an estimated 10,000 IDPs in Uruzgan in need of humanitarian assistance.


With the support from ECHO, WHO has delivered more than 520,000 PPE  [ personal protective equipment ]  items to frontline NGO workers


The risk to GBV are increasing, and initial data shows that increase in domestic violence, and harmful traditional practices are a critical risk to women and girls.


The security situation in the west remained unstable with reports of fighting and military operation in Hirat, Farah and Ghor provinces.


HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN  ( HRP )  REQUIREMENTS & FUNDING  1.28B Requirements  ( US$ )  – HRP 2021 37.8M 3% funded  ( US$ )  in 2021


Borrowing: The majority of the respondents are using their social networks and are borrowing money from friends and relatives. One hundred and seventy one respondents  ( 36.8% women and 63.2% men )  said they are borrowing money. Men and women have to borrow money from friends and relatives at least two days per week.


During the reporting period, 1,025 persons with specific needs  ( PSNs )  received cash assistance across 11 provinces to help them cope with the financial impact of COVID 19. Since the start of the crisis, 4,037 people have received this kind of cash assistance.


Additional production of MUAC tape is needed for children and PLW.


Partners note that vulnerable communities' capacity to purchase hygiene kits is limited due to the COVID 19 pandemic which has pushed people further into poverty and limited job opportunities across Takhar province.


According to the 2020 Whole of Afghanistan Multi Sector Needs Assessment, 70 per cent of displaced households reported limited access to soap due to high market prices. At the same time, 45 per cent of displaced households reported lack of access to water for handwashing.


There is a need to maintain and expand nutrition provision via alternate modalities such as MHNTs in remote and hardto reach locations.


13,745 hygiene kits – which include hygiene supplies such as soap for hand washing, bathing and laundry – were distributed during the reporting period, reaching 96,129 people. 214,700 hygiene kits have been distributed since the start of the crisis, reaching 1,307,115 people.106,629 bars of soap were distributed across the country between 11 January and 14 February. Since the start of the response, more than 5.6m bars of soap have been distributed in 379 of the country's 401 districts.


Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Cluster:  More than 29,500 people at the Islam Qala border crossing, 129,433 people at the Milak crossing and 16,100 people at the Torkham border crossing benefitted from WASH facility maintenance and the provision of water.  3,269 hand washing stations set up at the community level in 358 districts.  739 hand washing stations set up in health facilities across 27 districts.  85 hand washing stations set up in schools across 15 districts.


Health cluster:  IPC training conducted for 4,350 healthcare workers.  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.  160 healthcare workers trained in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support  ( MHPSS )


Socio economic impacts: The socio economic impacts of COVID 19 are translating into a dramatic impact on food insecurity. la Nina weather conditions are being closely monitored with grave concerns about low rainfall and high temperatures over recent week which may exacerbate this situation. An estimated 16.9 million people are already in crisis or emergency food insecurity from November to March, 5.5 million of whom are in ‘emergency' level food insecurity  ( IPC 4 ) .


Sleeveless Apron is used mostly by COVID 19 responders  ( 73% )  compared to overall of 34%


12 laboratories are now operational, with the latest one inaugurated in Kunduz. Afghanistan currently has a capacity to carry out 2,000 tests per day. COVID 19 testing is not operating at full capacity due to operational challenges.


The Government of Afghanistan's nationwide lockdown measures remain in place. According to reports, advice is not being followed and enforcement has been lenient


Head/neck cover  Balaclava is quite low at 23% by overall health workers interviewed but is more than double at 55% among the COVID 19 responders


The majority of respondents indicated changes in the health services since the crisis, including the lack of proper medication and limited services due to the lockdown.


In reference to above discussion and evidence, generally the preventive and control measures in the society should not be lifted at once because only 31.5% of the population have had current or past infection and the majority of the population have not achieved the necessary level of immunity against the disease.


As of 10th August 2020, Afghanistan has reported 37,162 positive cases and with 1,328 deaths.


Only 28% of the health workers mentioned of their confidence of using PPE kits would reduce their exposure and risk of getting infected to COVID 19. High among men with 32% and low among women  ( 23% )


Disasters brought on by natural hazards affecting around 250,000 people a year, causing many to flee their homes, including some already displaced by conflict and violence in Afghanistan.


More than 3.7 million children were out of school in Afghanistan, even prior to the pandemic. While some of these children have acute humanitarian needs, the majority have chronic issues that are hindering their ability to access education.


Casual labor opportunities inside the uruzgan province are already limited due to ongoing armed conflict.


100% of women have learnt from other prisoners in the cell, where as it is about 73% among men


Paying for healthcare is the second most significant reason that households take on debt


Cluster communication with communities : Alternative modalities of delivery are being set up in the field, including for example, outreach through phone interviews and KI interviews  ( Focus Group Discussions are on hold ) . In addition, messaging is disseminated through megaphones and community leaders. Leaflet distribution has stopped as they were a vector for contamination and distribution posed risks


Country office's Senior Security Officer continues to actively support the country office as well as National Society Security Managers and focal points through information gathering/sharing, providing security guidelines, security coordination and cooperation within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as with external partners and the humanitarian community.


Sixty two per cent of returnees surveyed outside their areas of origin said they planned to go back in the future, but IDPs were more indecisive. Only 18 per cent were sure they wanted to return


Heavy rains, usually falling from January   April, often cause flash floods and landslides in remote, northern areas of Afghanistan


Currency devaluations over the past year have resulted in a drop in the value of remittances but the surge in returns and COVID 19 interruptions to work opportunities in the neighbouring countries are further diminished the purchasing power of many communities who have been heavily reliant on remittance payments over recent years. This has had a severe impact on vulnerable families.


Afghanistan remains the least peaceful country in the region, and the least peaceful country overall on the 2020 GPI.


32,676 IEC  [ Information, Education, and Communication ]  materials including posters, leaflets and brochures – were distributed by Nutrition partners between 29 June and 5 July; 33,238 IEC materials have been distributed since the start of the crisis


As of early June, the Ministry of Education stopped ‘Small Group Learning', an important model for supporting children's continued education in the areas where there is no access to distance and self learning options. Options to reopen “Small Group Learning' – in line with health guidelines of physical distancing – are needed to ensure the critical education window is not missed.


Community awareness activities have also been provided in internal displacement sites in Hirat and COVID 19 trainings for 15 Mobile Health Teams in Ghor and Badghis provinces.


The Government and humanitarian partners have already developed and widely shared messaging on COVID19. Health and other partners have adapted and printed of 980,000 IEC materials distributed across 21 provinces. These materials are shared in several languages spoken in Afghanistan.


At the time of this assessment, the Ministry of Education has finalized a COVID 19 Response Plan that focuses on three areas for continuing children's learning during the school closure: Students' SelfLearning, Distance Learning, and Small Group Learning. There has since been further restrictions on Small Group Learning based on the evolving situation with virus transmission in country.


Social workers previously supporting deportee minors' return and reintegration had reportedly resigned out of the fear of the virus.


The consequences of restrictions imposed due to COVID 19 have resulted in the significant decrease of daily wage opportunities and small traders' income.


Around 60% of respondents returned to the country after the COVID 19 outbreak, with the other 40% returning within the last year. Of all returnees interviewed, 36% traveled independently; others were assisted by UN agencies  ( 28% )  or deported by their host countries  ( 27% ) .


In total, 4,118 people have been hospitalised due to complications with COVID 19 since February 2020, of which 25 per cent were 60 years or older.


The elderly population of Afghanistan increased 200 per cent in the decade between the end of the Taliban regime and 2012. This number has continued to increase by around 1 per cent each year between 2012 and 2020.


COVID and its containment measures are likely to be detrimental for the Afghan economy.


Many of the respondents surveyed belong to IDP and emergency affected households which have particular vulnerabilities which position them to have less access to basic infrastructure, resources, and information.


The exact severity of the COVID 19 pandemic in Afghanistan is difficult to determine due to the lack of testing facilities and reporting; however, the OCHA Multi Sector Country Plan suggests that Afghanistan is likely to be significantly affected due to its proximity to Iran and weak health infrastructure.


One more positive alternative came from Balkh, where savings schemes are coming to support, underlining these as initiatives to continue to support in the future as a means of contributing to household resilience:


It is also important to document lessons and success stories in education as we collectively take on the daunting challenge posed by the COVID 19 pandemic. There are already two important take aways: First, Afghanistan needs to focus on the expanded role of ICT in education and to accelerate efforts to develop quality interactive audiovisual content based on the national curriculum; schools need to be equipped with ICT infrastructure and internet access to improve the quality of education and learning. Second, we have to ensure system resilience and build back better especially in a context such as Afghanistan, which unfortunately, is plagued by enduring crises.


Many IDPs remain in a protracted state of displacement, unable to contribute to their own recovery and continuing to require costly annual winterisation support, amongst other unaddressed needs.


The Ministry of Public Health reckons, within a wide range, the spread of the virus can reach : • In the High Transmission scenario: Total cases around 190,0002 • In the Medium Transmission scenario: Total cases around 110,000 • In the Low Transmission scenario: Total cases around 46,000.


11% claimed that they faced problems during return: overcrowded bus stations, high transportation/ travel costs, limited transportation services to reach the border, or bribe required to pass police check point.


Livelihoods and basic needs: Afghan Red Crescent Society reached 35,000 people . Among them 17,500 were male and 17,500 were female.


IOM provided post arrival humanitarian assistance to 554  ( 3% )  undocumented Afghans at the IOM Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz during the past week.


Farmers and agricultural activities continued to be affected by ongoing fighting. All movements on the main highway 1 connecting Hilmand to Kandahar provinces reportedly resumed, however improvised explosive devices  ( IEDs )  along the highway continue to pose a threat.


[ There is a ]  lack of access to TV, electricity and even radios – especially in rural areas – to participate in home learning


Shortages in the availability of key staple humanitarian foodstuff has forced the adjustment of humanitarian food baskets in terms of the diversity of items available for regular distributions. The lack of dietary diversity can negatively impact beneficiary health and resistance to health shocks.


The Spin Boldak crossing point has remained closed for commercial traffic since mid June due to protests, with an estimated 4,000 trucks stuck waiting to cross into Afghanistan.


According to a recent report produced by the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, domestic violence  ( including physical, verbal and psychological )  has increased in central region due to COVID 19 related lockdown measures and movement restrictions.


During the reporting period, ES NFI  [ Emergency Shelter and Non Food Items ]  Cluster partners provided 4 multi purpose tents and 20 tarpaulins to MoPH  [ Ministry of Public Health ]  in Kabul. The tents are to be used for screening, outpatient treatment, accommodation/duty stations for doctors and other medical personnel as well as collecting samples for COVID 19 by MHTs  [ Mobile Health Teams ] .


Only 57% of respondents mentioned of separate waiting areas of female and this is very low among those who are responding to COVID 19. These waiting areas are now used for COVID 19 response and thus limiting the waiting area spaces for women  ( Only 29% )


During the reporting period, Health Cluster partners have opened four new isolation wards. 24 isolation wards have been opened by partners since the start of the crisis, however, nearly all ICUs are at full capacity.


Some 35 million people are expected to require some form of relief assistance to weather the impact of the pandemic.


As of 28 March, A total of 4,190 returnees, IDPs, and people from host communities were reached with emergency outpatient health services; and 694 children were vaccinated to protect them against polio and measles.


The Milak  ( Nimroz )  and Islam Qala Dogharoon  ( Hirat )  crossings with Iran are officially open to commercial traffic and movement of documented Afghanistan nationals


Borrowing creates further financial vulnerabilities, as the future is uncertain, and they are incurring debt that needs to be paid at some point, which again a challenge for household current and future financial sustainability.


As a result of COVID 19, the number of women seeking antenatal care has reduced by 21 per cent compared to 2019.


Around three million refugees returned to Afghanistan following the withdrawal of Soviet forces, but two successive civil wars pitting Afghan forces against mujahideen factions triggered further displacement.


Political uncertainty, grinding poverty, escalating personal debt and repeated exposure to natural disasters has eroded coping capacities, pushing vulnerable people into dire humanitarian need.


Afghanistan meanwhile has confirmed less than 100 Coronavirus cases, though the actual number is expected to be much higher.


During the reporting period, Afghanistan continued its engagement with the region, focusing on promoting consensus on intra Afghan peace and reconciliation, economic cooperation and connectivity, and the response to COVID  19.


The COVID 19 pandemic has increased the vulnerability of the civilian population, which has already suffered greatly from ongoing conflict and recurrent disasters.


The COVID 19 crisis could accelerate such setbacks to girls' education.


The total cost for the refugee chapter is $11.6 million. This includes: $1.1m for Health


Since COVID 19, humanitarian aid has decreased by 3.5%


In 2019, the number of civilian casualties remained at elevated levels. In the first nine months of the year, UNAMA documented 8,239 civilian casualties, with a significant spike in violence registered during the third quarter. Between July and September 2019, the highest number of casualties were seen since systematic recording began in 2009.


More than 400,000 returnees from Iran required additional health services at border points in 2019, including mental health and psychosocial support, as well as treatment for communicable diseases. Compared to 2018, the trends suggest that more returnees from Iran are arriving with deteriorated physical and mental health conditions, requiring urgent health services including trauma care.


While humanitarians remain committed to the delivery of assistance to all people with demonstrated humanitarian needs and have stayed and delivered during the COVID 19 pandemic, frequent threats and attacks on protected personnel, attempts to interfere in operations, including by illegal taxation and levies, and other access constraints, regularly delay assistance, prolonging the suffering of vulnerable people.


She expressed concern over an Afghan Air Force air strike in Kunduz on 21 March in which nearly all those killed were women and children, as well as the threat posed by Islamic State Khorasan Province, which claimed an attack on a Sikh Hindu temple in Kabul on 25 March that killed and injured dozens of civilians.


Only four points of entry have any referral system in place for presumptive COVID 19 cases


As part of its regular programming, WFP distributed 4,239 metric tons  ( mt )  of food between 17 December and 6 January.


In support of promotion of housing, land and property rights, Protection partners supported 14,000 families to register for a land allocation scheme in Hirat and Kabul. In addition, some 126,020 women and girls were reached through multiple GBV services.


Afghanistan is facing a grim winter ahead as people struggle to keep themselves warm amid soaring poverty driven by the economic shock of COVID 19. Given this situation, there is an urgent need for additional funding for winterisation support from both the Government and donors to help struggling households survive the harsh weather ahead.


While official figures suggest more men than women have contracted the virus, this is likely to be a result of unequal access to testing.


With no signs of the conflict abating, it is estimated that some 310,500 people will require emergency trauma care in 2021.


This has resulted in more than 4.6 children and women requiring nutritional assistance  ( up from 3.3 million earlier in 2020 ) .


However, only 170,000 people out of a population of 40.4 million have been tested meaning this is likely to be a gross under estimation of real infections.


More than 5.8 million people need shelter repairs or upgrades, with more than 80 per cent of people reporting their shelter has an integrity issue – including lack of insulation and leaks during to rain, among others.


While humanitarians have identified 18.4 million people within this group as having acute humanitarian needs already, without social assistance, all households in these classifications remain at risk of falling into a more acute category.


Changes in the FSAC number of people in  ( up from 13.2 million in mid 2020 to 17.6 million in 2021 )  are based on results from the recent SFSA and IPC analysis revealing a worrying increase in the number of people now in IPC 3 and 4 levels of food insecurity, largely due to the economic impact of COVID 19.


GBV responders also report that women and girls often do not feel safe or comfortable seeking GBV services, whether due to stigma of being a GBV survivor, fear of retaliation, lack of confidentiality or other reasons.


Stigma and discrimination related to COVID 19 may make children more vulnerable to violence and psychosocial distress.


While the policy of the Government of Afghanistan is to make healthcare universally accessible, a report by Médecins Sans Frontières  ( MSF )  finds that the reduction in international funding for public health has left a funding gap that is increasingly filled through “user fees.'


Children with disabilities – especially girls – are also disadvantaged, with parents less likely to pursue their education.


The nine provinces where recent AWD cases among children were most common were Badakhshan, Bamyan, Daykundi, Ghor, Hilmand, Nangarhar, Parwan, Samangan and Sar e Pul.


Unlike past years, urban areas in Kabul have seen a rising trend in malnutrition, particularly since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.


Afghanistan has an INFORM Risk Index of 7.9 which is the fifth highest risk country out of the 191 profiled. Afghanistan is highly prone to natural hazards, whose frequency and intensity are exacerbated by the effects of climate change, increasing humanitarian needs.


The WASH Cluster's capacity to respond remains relatively unchanged since the onset of the pandemic, with 31 WASH partners operating across all provinces in Afghanistan. The Cluster engaged with WASH development partners to leverage their existing capacity and re align their programmes with the priority COVID 19 response.


Clashes between ANSF and NSAGs continued causing a reported seven civilians killed and 51 wounded.


During the reporting period, 20 Child Protection partners reached 374,938 people  ( 60 per cent of whom were children )  with a range of child protection services. 258,914 people were provided with awareness activities on child protection risks related to COVID 19 and other child protection prevention measures. These awareness raising sessions were conducted in way that limited group gathering.


According to initial reports, flash floods affected 500 families, 19 people were killed and another 20 sustained injuries in Hasa e Awal, Hasa e dowm, Kohistan, Tagab and Nijrab districts on 26 August.


Some of the surge in prices may be associated with delays in imports from Pakistan  ( which had closed its border for all movement before opening key crossing points in the second week of April for limited movement )  and interruptions to food supply lines.


The COVID 19 pandemic has magnified a grim food security situation in Afghanistan. An updated Integrated Food Security Phase Classification  ( IPC )  analysis conducted before the mid year HRP revision revealed that some 12.4 million people  ( 33 per cent of the population )  are in “crisis' and “emergency' levels of food insecurity between June and November 2020.


Close to 80% of respondents reported that COVID 19 measures have had a negative effect on their ability to earn income, with a further 48% confirming they have lost their jobs entirely.


Between 12 October and 8 November, 47,577 people – including PLW – across 12 provinces were reached with COVID  19 awareness raising sessions by Nutrition Cluster partners.


The food insecurity situation is most pronounced in the areas with fragile livelihoods and remote access issues such as the central highlands and the highlands of the northeast.


During the reporting period, 13,543 people received PSS through various modalities across 9 provinces. Since the start of the pandemic, some 301,126 people across 20 provinces received PSS to help them cope with the psycho social  related consequences of COVID 19.


62 sites such as universities, schools and government offices were disinfected against COVID 19, while three handwashing facilities were installed in Maymana city.


Intense fighting was reported in Imam Sahib and Khanabad districts in Kunduz and Shuhada and Yaftal e Sufla districts in Badakhshan.


RCCE work has focused on maintaining health services, combatting stigma, promoting physical distancing and mitigating complacency among people continues across the country. During the reporting period, Health Cluster partners continued rumour tracking across the country, as well as risk communication messaging on the safe return to essential health services.


As of 11 November, more than 1,000 IDPs have been displaced from Gizab and Dehrawud districts to Tirinkot district.


Military operations and airstrikes are also ongoing in Bolan, Basharan, parts of Babaji in Lashkargah and along the key access road   Route 601   that connects Lashkargah in Hilmand with the city of Kandahar.


Around 13,000 trees  ( fruit/non fruit ) ; 65 water irrigation intakes; 16 water mills; 15 micro  hydro power units and seasonal standing crops in fields measuring 700 Jeribs  ( 360 acres )  were destroyed.


While food prices are increasing, the financial ability of daily wage labourers to buy food is decreasing, as casual work dries up because of nationwide restrictions. A large portion of the Afghan workforce relies on the informal sector, with no safety nets when work is scarce.


For families and communities, loss of livelihoods was cited as the biggest impact of COVID 19.


There are gender differentials regarding primary sources of information on COVID 19. Women are more likely to either not know about the pandemic or find the provided information unclear.


The Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting  ( CTFMR )  documented a significant increase in child recruitment during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the previous quarter.


Many child casualties arise from ground engagements; of these, most are from indirect fire which shows that collateral damage is egregious.


As the attention of the international community turns towards preparations for the 2020 ministerial conference, the economic effects of the COVID 19 pandemic have further constrained the fiscal environment, which could affect the scale of international financial assistance well into the future. That makes it all the more critical for the Government of Afghanistan to demonstrate its commitment to introducing concrete reforms.


The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service international air bridge, established to facilitate the rotation of humanitarian personnel between Kabul and Doha, continued flying three times a week, transporting 724 passengers from 24 April to 4 August 2020. The airbridge will operate until commercial flights offer a reliable option. The Service continues to serve all regular domestic destinations.


This report urges partners to continue supporting new IDPs as the most vulnerable group for the response.


81% of the households reported that their income has decreased compared to last year, of which around 54% reported reduced employment opportunities as the main reason for their income reduction, followed by conflict  ( 17% ) .


The partial or complete lockdowns in major towns have led to a further decrease in employment opportunities, leading to additional strain on the most vulnerable households and further limiting their purchasing power.

Context->Economy
Shock/event->Hazard & threats


Scientists warn that polluted cities such as Kabul may have higher mortality rates from COVID 19, since there would be more people with underlying health issues. Scientists also believe viruses may bond with pollution particles, enabling them to remain in the air longer and helping them make their way into the body


Alarmingly, more than a third of the confirmed COVID19 cases are among doctors and healthcare staff.


Conflict remains the main driver of displacement, although natural hazards  ( both slow and sudden onset )  also contribute to population movements and humanitarian needs.


The health system is further overburdened by mass casualty incidents and recurrent outbreaks of communicable diseases, especially among internally displaced people.


Nutrition services, that are often co located in health centres, are also affected by COVID 19. Analysis from UNICEF's nutrition database shows that as of April 2020 there has been a 40 per cent decrease in admissions for inpatient treatment of severe acute malnutrition within health centres at the national level, with some regions seeing as high as a 59 per cent decrease.


Sexual and gender based violence, including risks of sexual exploitation and abuse  ( SEA ) , do increase during times of crisis.


While the overall situation is uncertain, the security outlook for the immediate future remains characterised by high levels of civilian casualties due to suicide and non suicide IED attacks in civilian populated areas, continued air strikes, indirect fire during ground engagements, and deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian sites.


Lessons learned from previous epidemics, such as SARS 2003, MERS 2012 and Ebola 2018 highlight the need to combine effective health activities with broader social protection measures as part of government policy responses. With the COVID 19 crisis, strengthening resilience of health systems and rapidly reorganising service delivery has become more important than ever. Effective responses depend on inclusive community dialogue and the participation of the private sector as well as other stakeholders in tackling the causes and consequences of the crisis and promoting recovery and social stability.


Resumption of offensive military postures of Government and Taliban forces in May 2020 and uncertainty around the agreement negotiated between the US and the Taliban in late February 2020, suggest potential for volatility in the security environment over the remainder of the year.


UNAMA's latest preliminary figures indicate a trend of escalating civilian casualties in April from operations conducted by both the Taliban and the Afghan National Security Forces  ( ANSF ) .


Due to limited labor opportunities available in main urban markets and loss of their typical livelihood activities in areas of origin, nearly all these recent returnees are relying heavily on assistance through social networks and domestic welfare charity organizations.


Domestic revenue collection has rapidly deteriorated in recent months with the COVID 19 crisis. By July 2020, revenues were down by one third, and economic activities, trade and remittances were highly disrupted.


Widespread insecurity, mine contamination and COVID 19 related movement restrictions presented challenges for humanitarian access.


On 31 July 2020, the President of Afghanistan announced that a consultative loya jirga would be convened to decide on the fate of the 400 Taliban prisoners on the list and that the Government would release a total of 5,100 Taliban prisoners to accelerate the peace process.


Given heavily constrained available resources, direct support to the private sector should be limited and carefully prioritized towards sectors and firms where business closures would impose lasting economic damage  ( for example, the relatively few firms that are deeply integrated into local and regional supply chains or provide services on which other businesses depend ) .


The development budget execution rate was relatively low, at around 28.3 percent compared to 34 percent last year. The low development budget execution rate is mainly driven by weak execution of donor managed non discretionary projects. Donor financed non discretionary projects are currently undergoing significant restructuring to repurpose funds to respond to the pandemic.


Over the first nine months of 2019, nearly 73,000 trauma cases were recorded, a 28 per cent increase on the same period in 2018.


The lack of recovery from past emergencies, combined with the community's lack of resilience to new shocks continues to stretch health systems and services. An increase in the Severe Acute Malnutrition rate is escalating the burden on health services which deliver acute malnutrition treatment across the country.


Health Cluster continues to do assessments throughout the year. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Health, the Health Cluster has developed a guideline for emergency health services and corresponding assessment tools on trauma care and emergency health mobile health teams. The assessment tools were tested in 2019 and will become standard in 2020.


IDP households moreover reported lack of civil documentation as a main barrier.


Echoing the Secretary General's calls for a ceasefire, she also underlined the need for the swift appointment of an inclusive, united Government and for inclusive representation from all sides in the intra Afghan negotiation process. In that regard, she said the signing of two agreements in February paves the way for peace and must continue despite the major disruption caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.


As a result of recent hostilities around Kunduz City, KhanAbad and Emam Sahib districts, reports were received that 9,150 households  ( approx. 64,050 people )  were forced to flee their homes.


Meanwhile, the price of staple foods, such as flour, pulses, rice, cooking oil and sugar continue to increase, making it harder and harder for families to feed themselves.


Avoid stigmatisation of household and individuals with suspected and confirmed cases by raising awareness about COVID 19 without increasing fear, spreading facts, engaging social influencers, correct misconceptions, etc.


Promote proper and frequent hand washing with soap at large scale with functional culturally appropriate handwashing facilities at household level, cheaper handwashing innovations like tippy taps and improved water efficient should be encouraged.


Over the period between end December 2019 and 15th June 2020, the Afghani appreciated against the Euro by 1.5 percent and remained largely stable against the US dollar. Appreciation was driven by lower imports and increased demand for Afghani in provinces neighboring Pakistan, where the central bank is pursuing measures to promote the use of the Afghani instead of the Pakistani Rupee for domestic transactions. Reflecting stability of the Afghani against the US dollar, the central bank limited foreign exchange interventions. As of May 16, DAB had injected US$ 701 million into the market down from US$ 895 million in 2019.


Since the start of 2020, at least 1,213 civilians were killed and 1,744 injured across Afghanistan because of security incidents  ( AIHRC 14/07/2020 ) .


To ensure the stability of the financial sector in the face of COVID related shocks, Da Afghanistan Bank  ( DAB )  has intensified monitoring of weaker banks and has taken measures to reduce operational costs. The measures taken by DAB include suspension of administrative penalties and fees, postponement of the IFRS 9 implementation, and relaxation of mandated loan re classification. DAB has also developed a post COVID improvement plan designed to help with the recovery of the banking sector covering July 2020 to December 2021.


A key vulnerability criterion that was most likely to result in households experiencing complex sectoral needs was ownership of legal identification, showing the association between a lack of legal documentation and restricted access to basic services. Seventy  seven per cent of households in which no members reported owning a Tazkera had two or more sectoral needs, compared to 61 per cent of other households.


To support natural disaster preparedness, a series of emergency response plans are prepared at the regional level including tracking of local stocks of essential supplies. At the national level, the ICCT is committed to producing up to date and issue specific emergency contingency plans as needed, in addition to its pipeline tracking.


As of end March 2020, the capital adequacy of the banking system remained above specified thresholds  ( eight percent under Basel II and 10.5 percent under Basel III ) , with the ratio of capital to risk weighted assets standing at 26 percent.


The EU also funds the Emergency Response Mechanism  ( ERM ) , which ensures timely and flexible emergency assistance to people who have been recently displaced.


In the first four months of this  [ Afghan ]  year, which was also during the peak of Covid 19 in Afghanistan and the most stringent period of lockdown in most provinces, 127 cases of extreme violence were recorded. This include 121 cases of rape, 80 cases of death due to excessive physical abuse and injuries, 20 cases of suicide and 548 cases of severe physical violence. These numbers show a 56 per cent increase compared to last year's record of 72 instances of extreme violence against women.


Typically women can report violence or abuse to their Provincial Directorate of Women's Affairs, the EVAW monitoring office or the AIHRC. But during the pandemic, public offices were closed in most provinces for months  ( some public offices were open half days or three days a week, but most offices remained closed from May to August ) . As a result, women were left with no avenues to report domestic abuse.