Harshad Patel
The United Nations has temporarily suspended aid deliveries in Gaza due to safety concerns following new evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military. This pause could disrupt the launch of a critical polio vaccination campaign in the region. Recently, the Israeli military ordered additional evacuations in parts of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, causing further displacement among Palestinians.
The UN had been preparing to vaccinate over 640,000 children against polio, a significant public health concern given the recent detection of the virus in the enclave.
Polio, a highly contagious disease that mainly affects children under the age of five, has reemerged in Gaza after a 25-year absence. The first case in decades was confirmed in a 10-month-old child, raising alarms among health authorities.
The disease, which can lead to paralysis or death, was detected in sewage samples, prompting warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation has become urgent as the risk of a widespread outbreak looms, particularly in a region where healthcare infrastructure is already severely compromised.
Despite these challenges, over 1.2 million doses of the polio vaccine have been delivered to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, facilitated by the Israeli agency COGAT. The vaccination campaign is being coordinated by the WHO and the UN Children’s Agency, with support from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, the latest evacuation orders have temporarily halted the UN’s aid operations, creating uncertainty about the campaign’s timeline and reach.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is increasingly dire, with the population suffering from severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and clean water. Up to 90% of Gaza’s residents are internally displaced due to ongoing conflict.
Despite these hardships, the UNRWA and the Palestinian Ministry of Health are determined to proceed with the vaccination campaign. The ministry has indicated that an additional 400,000 vaccine doses are being sought to cover 95% of children under ten, ensuring a broad immunization effort despite the difficult conditions.
In response to the latest evacuation orders, the UN is now tasked with relocating its operations within Gaza. Previously, operations had been moved to Deir al-Balah after similar orders were issued for Rafah.
The situation underscores the immense challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in Gaza, where continuous conflict complicates efforts to provide essential services. Nonetheless, the UN remains committed to staying in the region to support the local population, even as it grapples with the need to find safer locations for its operations.
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