UN and WHO Call for Gaza Ceasefire to Vaccinate 640,000 Children Against Polio, Hamas Supports

Aug 16, 2024, 03:42 PM

The United Nations and the World Health Organization are calling for a seven-day ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign targeting over 640,000 children. The campaign, expected to launch at the end of August, is crucial as poliovirus has been detected in Gaza's wastewater, posing a significant health risk. Humanitarian pauses are deemed necessary to ensure the vaccines reach all children in need. The call for a ceasefire has received support from Hamas, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging all parties to provide concrete assurances for these humanitarian pauses.