UN agencies call for humanitarian pause in Gaza to vaccinate children against polio
UN agencies and their partners have urgently requested a humanitarian pause in the war in Gaza to ensure that over 640,000 children can receive polio vaccinations.
The call highlights the critical need for an immediate halt in hostilities to prevent the spread of polio among vulnerable populations in the region.
According to a statement from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), while the agencies are ready to administer the vaccines, the deteriorating security situation necessitates a temporary cease-fire on humanitarian grounds.
The agencies warn that delaying the vaccination campaign could significantly heighten the risk of a polio outbreak among children.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNRWA, and other partners, has already delivered 1.2 million doses of type 2 polio vaccine to Gaza. The goal is to vaccinate over 640,000 children. This crucial shipment was supported by Qatar Charity, which donated $3 million to aid UNRWA’s efforts in Gaza.
Sam Rose, UNRWA’s senior deputy field director, emphasized the challenging conditions in Gaza, where displaced families and frequent relocations due to Israeli evacuation orders have created an environment conducive to the spread of the polio virus.
He noted that the lack of access to basic necessities like food, water, and health care exacerbates the situation, increasing the threat of the virus spreading rapidly.
The situation has been further complicated by reports of the first polio case detected in Gaza in 25 years on August 16. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has expressed concerns that this could indicate the presence of many undetected cases, compounded by ongoing issues such as poor sanitation and water access.
UN officials have voiced deep concern over the health crisis in Gaza, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7 last year. Since then, approximately 50,000 babies have been born in Gaza, many of whom have not received any vaccinations due to the ongoing crisis.
The UN and its partners are calling on the international community to pressure Israel to allow the safe passage of polio vaccines into Gaza, stressing that without immediate action, the health of hundreds of thousands of children remains at risk.
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