WHO Sets Up Pauses in Gaza Fighting For Polio Vaccinations Amid Conflict

The World Health Organization announces limited pauses in Gaza fighting to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio after the first confirmed case in 25 years.

The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a vital plan to protect children in Gaza. Limited pauses in the fighting will allow polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children in the region. 

This follows the first confirmed polio case in Gaza in 25 years. A baby in the Palestinian territory contracted the virus, prompting urgent action.

Humanitarian Pauses, Not a Cease-Fire

These “humanitarian pauses” are short breaks in the fighting, not a full cease-fire. The plan is to stop fighting for three days at a time in different parts of Gaza. 

This will give health workers a chance to vaccinate as many children as possible. The vaccination campaign will start on Sunday in central Gaza, says Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories.

After the vaccinations in central Gaza, the team will move to southern Gaza for another three-day pause. They will then vaccinate children in northern Gaza during the final three-day break. Peeperkorn mentioned that more days might be needed to ensure all children under 10 get the vaccine. The goal is to reach 640,000 children.

This effort has been coordinated with Israeli authorities. The WHO is focused on protecting children in this conflict-ridden region. 

Peeperkorn admitted, “I’m not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward.” He emphasized that the plan will go ahead because an agreement has been made.

An Israeli official, who spoke anonymously, said there will be tactical pauses to allow the vaccinations. However, the plan is still being finalized.

The Israeli army has allowed short pauses in specific areas for international humanitarian work before. This time, the focus is on protecting children from polio, a disease that could cause severe problems if not controlled quickly.

The WHO’s efforts in Gaza are a crucial step in stopping a polio outbreak in the region. The organization is committed to making sure this campaign succeeds. 

The agreement with Israeli authorities is a big move that puts the health of Gaza’s children first. As Peeperkorn said, “It will happen and should happen because we have an agreement.”