MECC Coronavirus (COVID 19) Weekly Report
Lebanon: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update
Reporting period: from 15 to 22 April 2020
Coronavirus cases: 682 Deaths: 22 Recovered: 103
Preventive measures
Although, great success has been observed on the corona front, the minister of Public Health Hamad Hassan declared on the 20th of April, that the government will be conducting more than 2000 tests per day to further quantify the level of the threat.[1]
The government decided to extend the call for general mobilization until the 10th of May, where it will decide either to extend it or end it. Furthermore, schools and educational institutions will remain closed until the 15th of May where the decision to re-open them depends on the status of the call for general mobilization.[2]
Although land borders between Lebanon and Syria remain closed, and despite the best efforts of security services, illegal trafficking is still being recorded across unofficial border crossings. [3]
Since the infectivity rate of coronavirus decreased, Lebanese Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmy issued a decision to reduce the curfew period in the country which was from 7 PM to 5:00 AM, to 8 PM to 5:00 AM. [4]
Humanitarian Impact
It has been reported that NGO’s and aid groups are having difficulty in getting non-coronavirus medical care to refugees. Also, clinics that serve Syrians have witnessed a 30% drop-off in visitors since March.[5]
According to Ghida Anani, the director of Abaad Resource Centre for Gender Equality, domestic violence has risen since the start of the lockdown.[6]
The WFP (World Food Program) released a report claiming that the declining economic and financial conditions in the country, exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak, led to 12 percent food inflation.[7]
According to The General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL), 75% of Lebanese young people are either unemployed or not receiving their full salaries due to the lockdown.[8]
As hunger is being increasingly reported in some locations, the warnings earlier this month issued by the Human Rights Watch, that Lebanon lacks a robust aid program and Syrian refugees are being discriminated by 21 local municipalities, are coming to light [9]
Preparedness and Response
The Ministry of Public Health launched a health alert service through MOPH’s business WhatsApp account to inform people about the latest updates.[10]
After the report of a Palestinian woman from Syria has become the first refugee living in a camp in Lebanon to test positive for the coronavirus, UNRWA dispatched a team from Rafik Hariri University Hospital to the camp to undergo tests, isolated the woman’s family, and took her to the Rafic Hariri hospital.[11]
Iman Shankiti, representative of the WHO (World Health Organization) in Lebanon, urged Lebanese citizens to abide by the call for general mobilization to contain the spread of the virus.[12]
In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon, the Interagency Coordination Lebanon released Recommendations for the use of Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) and Protection Cash Assistance (PCAP) in the Context of the Response to COVID-19 for partners to use.
The Interagency Coordination Lebanon released in April, a guide for community engagement in Lebanon civil society emphasizing the role of organizations, families, individuals, communities and traditional leaders in fighting the pandemic.
The Interagency Coordination Lebanon released in April, a guide for Case Management for general protection to ensure relevant messages are repeated over time for the purpose of prevention and detection of COVID-19.
THE UNHCR released a guide prepared by the Interagency Coordination Lebanon to ensure that special consideration is given for children and adults who usually have a caregiver (older person, persons with disabilities, and persons with serious medical condition or mental health concerns) during quarantine, isolation or hospitalization.
As part of its emergency response, The UNHCR has distributed hygiene items, including bleach and sanitizer, reaching 30,717 people living in 438 collective shelters, with a special focus on reaching older persons at risk. To foster peaceful coexistence, both refugees and host community members were included.
The UNHCR reported that its call center is currently successfully handling overwhelming calls from refugees in dire assistance.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, issued a statement urging Lebanese authorities to reconsider the removal of Syrian refugee camp in the Ghazze town of Bekaa , and insisting that it is a basic human rights violation during a pandemic.[13]
UNICEF procured and delivered medical supplies to 194 Primary Health Care Centers to support the population at risk in Lebanon. This includes 650,000 pairs of gloves, 830,000 surgical masks, 34,000 N95 respirator masks, 26,750 gowns and 3,000 infra-red thermometers, among other health items.[14]
The Chinese embassy provided 3000 PRC test units and 200 thermometers to Lebanon at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.[15]
Due to UNRWA’s push to increase the number of children who can access online education, large numbers of Palestinian children are using e-learning tools. [16]
SYRIA: COVID-19
Humanitarian Update No. 04
Reporting period: from 12 to 20 April 2020
Coronavirus cases: 39 Deaths: 3 Recovered: 5 [17]
On 16 April, WHO EMRO provided information indicating that a fatality at Qamishli National Hospital in northeast Syria (NES) on 2 April had subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
As of 15 April, according to the MoH, around 1,200 tests have been conducted by the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Damascus, including 19 from Deir-Ez-Zor and 17 from Al-Hasakeh governorates.
Currently 1,271 sentinel sites report cases through Early Warning. Alert and Response System (EWARS) system across all 14 governorates.
Updated measures
The GoS announced they would allow travel between governorates on 20 and 21 April, with medical teams to be stationed at the entrances of all cities.
Some businesses in specified fields have been permitted to re-open within specific conditions and the terms of the curfews, including in some areas of manufacturing, taxis, mechanics, mobile phone shops and carpentry.
Humanitarian Impact
The exchange rate further weakened since mid-March to reach around SYP 1,300 at the time of writing (representing a more than 50 per cent devaluation compared to a year ago).
The food prices remain very high due to COVID-19-related factors and currency depreciation, that what is likely to increase vulnerabilities.
Many businesses are shut or working on reduced hours, impacting employment and household income.
Life-saving food assistance to 3.5 million people has continued with adjusted distribution modalities, and in the nutrition sector, activities have resumed with remote surveillance and following up, and utilizing one-on-one counselling where possible.
In education, partners are further utilizing online learning tools, WhatsApp groups and direct communication between teachers and students where possible, in addition to increased distribution of recreational kits to support the mental wellbeing of vulnerable children.
In other protection activities, WHO has supported volunteers to undertake home visits for mental health patients in some areas and commence MH/PSS activities in facilities hosting elderly residents.
Protection partners are also ensuring continuation of reproductive health activities and GBV services in Syria where possible, including through remote interventions through phone, online, other platforms and WhatsApp.
Of the 34 organizations who responded, 44 percent reported their activities had been impacted by the preventive measures related to COVID-19. In addition, 26.5 percent had suspended group activities, 14.7per cent had continued with only specialized services for vulnerable and high-risk cases. Only2.9 percent organizations suspended all assistance and services. Most have adopted flexible work arrangements such as staff rotation (72.4per cent) and teleworking (44.8per cent).
72.4 percent of organizations report funding concerns related to the preventive measures.[18]
Preparedness and Response
OCHA Syria also continues to engage the Inter-Sector Coordination (ISC) team in Damascus to coordinate the response within Syria.
On 13 April, an Inter-Sector Coordination (ISC) meeting was held to discuss the COVID-19 Strategy for Camp and Camp-like settings as well as key performance indicators for the operational response plan, while on 14 April, a Health sector coordination meeting dedicated toCOVID-19 reviewed the Monitoring Framework for the plan.
At least 1.4 million information, education and communication (IEC) materials distributed by UN agencies and partners so far, in addition to awareness raising on social media, WhatsApp, radio and television channels, and direct community engagement/person-to-person.
WHO has further supported training for three partners on precautionary and preventive measures.
In the reporting period, the MoH finalized development of the national guideline for planning and management of COVID-19, which WHO has printed 1,000 copies to be distributed to public hospitals.
UNICEF has further supported additional awareness-raising initiatives including through the Takamol (Smart Card) application, used by two million families, and interactive websites with the Nour Foundation.
WFP have continued to disseminate IEC at food distribution points, through WhatsApp messages and other social media.
UNHCR developed a guidance note for outreach volunteers and partners to utilize when disseminating information and engaging communities on COVID-19.
UNHCR further supported awareness training for 138 outreach volunteers and staff members for partners across all 14 governorates and prepared a bank of Q&As for hotlines
In NES, awareness campaigns including specific targeting of camps, IDP settlements and collective shelters are ongoing.
The establishment of further laboratories in Aleppo, Homs, Al-Hasakeh and Lattakia governorates are underway.
On-site training for 24 laboratory technicians is ongoing until 5 May.
WHO has delivered approximately 900,000 items of Personal protective equipment (PPE) to partners, including 610,000 surgical masks, 151,000 gloves, 66,000 reusable heavy-duty aprons, 48,900 gowns, 10,000 head covers, 2,850 alcohol hand-rubs, 3,830medical masks, 1,440 goggles and 1,100 coveralls, in addition to 5,600 alcohol hand-rubs.
To NES, WHO dispatched a shipment of PPE and sterilization items to Qamishli National Hospital (1,440 kg) and another shipment to the DoH in Al-Hasakeh (175kg).
WHO has delivered 20 tons of medical equipment to Qamishli on 12 April. WHO has further donated 13 ventilators (including one portable) to MoH and four ventilators (including two portable) to SARC.
UNICEF provided 146 hygiene kits (including 32,400 soap bars and 6,900 hygiene materials) and awareness materials to residential care centers.
UNICEF has supported two quarantine centers with recreational kits and provided tents to the MoH.
UNFPA also continued to support WASH initiatives, and in the reporting period, provided 162,000 soap bars that have been distributed by WFP to vulnerable families in Rural Damascus, and a further 140 dignity kits.
UNHCR further procured and distributed 6,000 hand sanitizers and 28,000 masks to UNHCR officers for further distribution to partners running community centers.
Sectors have identified approximately $21 million from either new contributions or existing funding reallocated or repurposed from programmes suspended due to COVID-19 mitigation measures, which can be used for immediate response.
SARC has also prepared a four-month plan to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, covering a range of preparedness, containment and mitigation measures, totaling $10.4 million.[19]
[1]Lebanon 24, April 20, 2020, https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/695601
[2]Lebanon 24, April 20, 2020,https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/695295/
[3] Elnashra, April 21, 2020, https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1407005
[4] Xinhua, April 22, 2020, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/22/c_138999115.htm
[5]The New Humanitarian, April 21, 2020, https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/feature/2020/04/21/Lebanon-coronavirus-refugee-healthcare
[6] The Arab Weekly, April 21, 2020, https://thearabweekly.com/covid-19-lockdown-provoking-surge-domestic-violence-lebanon
[7] World Food Program, April 21, 2020, https://dataviz.vam.wfp.org/global-coverage-market-monitor-47-apr-2020?_ga=2.60596781.1806675035.1587549467-1697961321.1585812851
[8] Arab News, April 20, 2020, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1662226/middle-east
[9] Executive Magazine, April 22, 2020, https://www.executive-magazine.com/economics-policy/lebanons-refugee-restrictions-could-harm-everyones-health
[10] The 961, April 15, 2020, https://www.the961.com/moph-whatsapp-health-alert
[11] New York Times, April 22, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/04/22/world/middleeast/ap-ml-virus-outbreak-mideast.html?searchResultPosition=1
[12] Xinhuanet, April 22, 2020, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/22/c_138999115.htm
[13] Reliefweb.int
[14] Aawsat, April 20, 2020, https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2242886/unicef-solicits-more-aid-risk-kids-mena-amid-pandemic
[15] The Daily Star, April 16, 2020,https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2020/Apr-16/504462-china-gifts-pcr-units-and-thermometers-to-lebanon.ashx
[16] The National, April 21, 2020, https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/palestinian-students-show-dedication-to-e-learning-in-lebanon-1.1008909
[17] Worldometers, 20 Apr
[18] OCHA, WHO, COVID-19Humanitarian Update No. 06
[19] OCHA, WHO, COVID-19Humanitarian Update No. 06