GENEVA/CAIRO – A crucial polio vaccination campaign targeting 200,000 children in northern Gaza commenced on Tuesday despite significant challenges, including access restrictions, evacuation orders, and fuel shortages. This initiative follows the successful vaccination of over 446,000 children in central and southern Gaza earlier this month.
Dr. Moussa Abed from Gaza’s health ministry highlighted the dire situation, noting the critical need for fuel and the difficulties faced by medical staff in reaching vaccination centers located in conflict zones. The areas are described as highly militarized and difficult to access, adding to the complexity of the campaign.
Efforts to deliver necessary supplies were thwarted on Monday when Israel halted a convoy carrying fuel and personnel from the World Health Organization (WHO) en route to Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital. The interruption forced the mission to be aborted, complicating the ongoing vaccination efforts.
Sam Rose, deputy director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), acknowledged the nerve-wracking situation but expressed determination to make the campaign work despite the challenges.