The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that a “preliminary commitment for area-specific humanitarian pauses” has been secured during an upcoming polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip.
The campaign, set to begin on September 1, aims to achieve 90% vaccination coverage among children to prevent the further spread of the polio outbreak.
Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stressed the critical importance of reaching this target, emphasizing that the campaign will be conducted in two rounds.
During a virtual news conference from Gaza, Peeperkorn welcomed the humanitarian pause agreement reached with the Israeli army’s humanitarian unit (COGAT).
The pause includes three-day periods in the central, southern, and northern zones of Gaza, allowing children and families to safely access health facilities and community health outreach workers.
“We urge all parties to allow children and families to safely access health facilities and community health outreach workers during the pause,” Peeperkorn said.
“Ensuring that children who cannot access health facilities can still receive the polio vaccine is crucial.”