Gaza in a humanitarian freefall: UN Secretary-General Calls for Ceasefire to Combat Polio

The UN Secretary-General has sounded the alarm on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing that the region is in a "humanitarian freefall." With the recent detection of poliovirus in Gaza's wastewater, hundreds of thousands of children are at risk, compounding the existing suffering in the area. The United Nations is preparing to launch a critical polio vaccination campaign targeting over 640,000 children under 10, but the challenges are immense. Health systems in Gaza are in ruins, and achieving the necessary 95% vaccination coverage will require a massive and coordinated effort, amidst ongoing conflict and devastation.
The UN has called for a "Polio Pause" - a humanitarian ceasefire - to safely administer the vaccines. The campaign's success hinges on assurances of safety for health workers and families, as well as the provision of essential resources like fuel, transport, and reliable communication. The Secretary-General stressed that peace is the ultimate solution, but immediate action is needed to prevent a catastrophic outbreak that could impact not only Gaza but the entire region.
Read the complete statement: www.un.org/uni...