UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Funds Polio Vaccination Drive in Gaza
Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 30: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed funding for a critical polio vaccination drive in Gaza following the re-emergence of the virus within the territory. The campaign will be supported by a pledge of US$5 million from the UAE.
Delivered in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and UNRWA, the two-round campaign will provide over 640,000 Gazan children under the age of 10 with two doses of the polio vaccine, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and prevent a wider regional outbreak.
The campaign will begin Sunday, 1st September in a staggered schedule, starting in Central Gaza and then moving to South and then North Gaza. Each phase will continue for three days during area-specific humanitarian pauses, to enable children and families to access health facilities and community workers to reach children.
Some 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine have been delivered to Gaza in preparation for distribution, with a further 400,000 doses due to arrive soon. More than 2,100 health workers, including mobile teams, will support the delivery of both rounds of the campaign. At least 90 percent vaccination coverage is needed during each round to prevent the spread of polio, given the overcrowding, displacement, and severely disrupted health, water, and sanitation systems within Gaza.
Campaign planning began after the poliovirus was detected in Gaza in July 2024. The World Health Organisation confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one child in Gaza has been paralysed by the variant type 2 poliovirus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.
Under the direction of the President, the UAE has also been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in Gaza, delivering more than 40,000 tons of urgent supplies, including food, medical aid, and shelter materials. The UAE has established a field hospital in southern Gaza, along with a floating hospital at the Egyptian port of Al-Arish, which have collectively provided medical care to over 27,000 injured and wounded Palestinians. A further initiative seeks to provide treatment for more than 1,000 Palestinian children and 1,000 cancer patients in UAE hospitals.
In its pursuit of ensuring water and food security, the UAE has established six water desalination plants in Rafah, Egypt, with a capacity of 1.6 million gallons per day, supplying water to over 600,000 Gazans.
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UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates. It is a country in the Middle East, made up of seven smaller regions called emirates.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the UAE. He is a leader who helps make important decisions for his country.
Polio -: Polio is a disease that can make people very sick and can even cause paralysis. Vaccines help protect people from getting this disease.
Gaza -: Gaza is a small region located along the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of Palestine and has many people living there.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a group that works to keep people healthy all around the world.
UNICEF -: UNICEF stands for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. It helps children by providing food, education, and healthcare.
UNRWA -: UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. It helps Palestinian refugees with things like education and healthcare.
Vaccination -: Vaccination is when a person gets a shot to protect them from getting a disease. It helps keep people healthy.
Humanitarian aid -: Humanitarian aid is help given to people in need, like food, water, and medical care. It is often provided during emergencies or difficult times.
Water desalination plants -: Water desalination plants are places where salt is removed from seawater to make it drinkable. This helps provide clean water to people.
