WHO Regional Chief Voices Grave Concern Over Middle East Escalation

The past two weeks have seen a variant of poliovirus type 2 detected in sewage samples in Gaza, deadly military strikes in several neighbouring countries, and the confirmation of famine in Sudan’s North Darfur state, among other challenges.

WHO Regional Director Dr. Hanan Balkhy voiced grave concern over the ongoing escalation across the region, characterized by “deadly strikes against civilians, political entities, and infrastructure” which “are rapidly raising the risks of a wider war.”

She said civilian populations already ravaged by violence, hunger and disease, do not deserve to be further threatened.

“Health systems must be rebuilt, not devastated, and further developed so that they can withstand further shocks that could potentially affect us all, like the next pandemic,” she said.

In the face of the escalating political tensions, she stressed that “all diplomatic efforts must be made to prevent this worrying situation from spiraling further.”

Polio campaigns for Gaza

Meanwhile, polio in Gaza is of great concern. Dr. Balkhy warned that although no cases have been detected, children are at high risk.

In response, WHO is working with the Ministry of Health in Gaza and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on a range of measures, including polio vaccination campaigns which will begin very soon.

“Let me be clear – we need a ceasefire, even a temporary ceasefire – to successfully undertake these campaigns. Otherwise, we risk the virus spreading further, including across borders,” she said.

Vaccines on the way

Dr. Hamid Jamari, Polio Eradication Director at the WHO Regional Office, said some 500,000 children under eight, will be targeted in two rounds of vaccination campaigns.

He said the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has already authorized the release of sufficient doses of the novel oral polio vaccine type two from global stocks, which are held in Indonesia.

“Of course, the challenge is when can we get these vaccines through to Gaza,” he said, citing issues such as the current tensions in the region, logistical difficulties and flight cancellations.

“And once the vaccines get there, then we need a massive change in the current environment which is not only ceasefire and peace so that children can be vaccinated, but we also require freedom of movement.”

Planning for a ‘massive operation’

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, added that “everything has to be aligned, including the cold chain and cold chain equipment”, referring to the correct conditions for storing, transporting and distributing vaccines.

Speaking from Jerusalem, he said that WHO and partners have already started “microplanning” for the vaccination campaigns, describing them as a “massive operation”.  This will be followed by the training of health workers and volunteers, and the roll-out of risk communications.

“To carry out these kinds of campaigns, you prefer to have a ceasefire,” he said. “If that’s not possible, then at least there should be what we call ‘days of tranquility’”.

Like his counterpart, Dr. Peeperkorn also underlined the importance of freedom of movement.

He explained that the comprehensive vaccination campaigns would have to be carried out “from fixed points, from mobile teams, and, when feasible…as much as possible from door-to-door.  Or, in Gaza, it would be from tent-to-tent.”