Polio is an extremely contagious viral infection linked in particular to the lack of drinking water and unsanitary conditions, which can cause paralysis in children or even death.
On the ground, our teams are carrying out an emergency response: over 50,000 consultations conducted since May 2024, including 3,500 vaccinations against polio types 1 and 3, diphtheria, and tetanus. Vaccinations against polio type 2 began this week: in one day, 1,610 children were vaccinated.
Since Sunday, Israel has implemented humanitarian pauses to launch a vaccination campaign for children. While these humanitarian pauses do indeed allow for vaccination, they are however insufficient to protect the Gazan population.
The shortage of medical supplies risks interrupting essential services (emergency care, surgical interventions, intensive care…), endangering the lives of patients and the injured.
A lasting ceasefire is the only solution.
Photo: MdM France