The WHO will resume mass polio vaccinations in Gaza on 22 February, aiming to immunise over 591,000 children under 10 after the virus was detected in wastewater. The campaign, delayed since November due to conflict, comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions and rising health risks.
In a statement released by the Director-General of the organization,Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, he said that the important vaccines will be provided to over 591,000 children under the age of 10 living in the strip.
He further explained that “This campaign follows the recent detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples, signaling circulation in the environment, which is putting children at risk”.
The five day campaign which was previously suspended in November 2024 was postponed due to “intense bombardments, mass displacements, lack of assured humanitarian pauses and access” according to the WHO.
WHO has also said that current conditions in the strip including overcrowding in shelters, and severely damaged water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, which facilitates fecal-oral transmission, create ideal conditions for further spread of the virus..
Thousands of displaced Palestinians have continued to make the return trip home since the first phase of the ceasefire deal was finalized with Israel on January 19.
In a bid to help rebuilding and humanitarian efforts across the region, Egypt and Qatar have also dispatched construction equipment to the strip to establish a container city and clear debris from buildings destroyed by the Israeli attacks.
Quick look at the polio virus
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Romanian counterpart Nicusor Dan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, reaffirming a commitment to deepen bilateral ties and enhance Black Sea security.
Norway is stepping up military support for Ukraine with a $640 million package aimed at boosting the country's drone capabilities, both on the battlefield and for infrastructure protection.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Romanian counterpart Nicusor Dan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, reaffirming a commitment to deepen bilateral ties and enhance Black Sea security.
Indonesia has conducted the first passenger-carrying test flight of the EHang 216-S flying taxi, marking a milestone in the country's push towards future urban air mobility.
Norway is stepping up military support for Ukraine with a $640 million package aimed at boosting the country's drone capabilities, both on the battlefield and for infrastructure protection.
Ukraine faces a massive housing crisis as the ongoing war leaves over 2.5 million homes damaged or destroyed. Reconstruction efforts are advancing, but the road ahead remains long, complex, and deeply tied to economic, demographic, and security realities.
Afghan farmers are shifting away from opium cultivation as the interim government ramps up efforts to eliminate the drug trade, offering alternative crops and local support.
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