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SvennoJ on 04 September 2024
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Today is the fourth day of the vaccination campaign in Deir el-Balah

During the first three days, 161,000 Palestinian children were inoculated, according to the WHO and local health officials. The campaign has been extended for another day to reach all children in the central areas.

Tomorrow, the second phase is expected to begin in Khan Younis. It will last for four days. And then will move to the north of Gaza in order to reach that marginalised part of the territory.

Despite the vaccination campaign, Israel’s bombardment is still continuing in the north, central and far south of the territory.


Vaccination campaign reaches 187,000 children in central Gaza: UNRWA

The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) says about 187,000 children have received polio vaccinations in central Gaza. Today, the UN and local medical teams are continuing their vaccination campaign in central Gaza before moving to the southern and northern areas.


‘He can’t move at all’: A Gaza mother’s agony over baby with polio

Inside a tent near az-Zawayda town in central Gaza, 35-year-old Nevin Abu al-Jidyan sat on the floor next to her youngest child, Abdul Rahman, who lay in a plastic baby seat.

The once-vibrant child, who had just started to take his first steps, used to play and fill the camp with his spirited energy, but he is now bedridden.

Abdul Rahman, who turned one on September 1, is the first child confirmed to have contracted polio in Gaza in 25 years.

“Not long ago, my son was constantly moving,” Nevin says, tears welling up in her eyes. “He was so active that his father bought him a small plastic cart to ride. He was so restless he broke it from all his … playing.”

Her voice breaks as she continues, gently rocking Abdul Rahman. “Now he can’t move at all. My heart is shattered. I can hardly believe this is happening.”


Nevin Abu al-Jidyan with one-year-old Abdul Rahman, the first confirmed child to have contracted polio in Gaza in 25 years


Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza one of the most ‘dangerous’: UNICEF

The recently concluded three-day campaign was a “rare bright spot” for the coastal enclave, the UN children’s agency’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa has said.

“After almost a year of families experiencing horrors no man, woman or child should ever have to endure, this week we saw what can be achieved with simple will,” Adele Khodr said in a statement.

Khodr said the risk of polio spreading in Gaza and beyond “remains high”, adding “area-specific humanitarian pauses” must continue to implement the remaining two phases of the vaccination campaign.

“This is among the most dangerous and difficult vaccination campaigns on the planet,” she said.