As the conflict in Gaza enters its 11th month, children continue to bear the brunt of the turmoil. A recent polio outbreak has prompted an emergency vaccination campaign targeting 640,000 children under the age of 10. This effort highlights the escalating challenges faced by the most vulnerable in Gaza.
“Diseases have been rampant since the conflict started,” said Ahamed Sharaf, who brought his son to receive the vaccine at a clinic in the Deir al-Balah area. “We must be well prepared.”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) acknowledges that while the vaccination campaign has made progress, only a permanent ceasefire can truly guarantee these children’s safety and end the humanitarian crisis.
The ongoing conflict has disrupted basic services, making it difficult to combat outbreaks like polio. As organizations strive to protect the health of Gaza’s children, the call for peace becomes ever more urgent.
Reference(s):
Stringer Dispatch: Children vaccinated amid ongoing conflict in Gaza
cgtn.com
