UAE President Allocates US$5 Million For Polio Vaccination Campaign In Gaza
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has allocated funds for a crucial polio vaccination campaign in Gaza due to the virus's resurgence. The UAE has pledged US$5 million to support this initiative.
The campaign, organised with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and UNRWA, aims to vaccinate over 640,000 Gazan children under 10 years old. They will receive two doses of the polio vaccine to halt the virus's spread and prevent a regional outbreak.
Starting on Sunday, 1st September, the campaign will follow a staggered schedule. It will begin in Central Gaza before moving to South and North Gaza. Each phase will last three days during specific humanitarian pauses, allowing access to health facilities and community workers.
In preparation for distribution, 1.26 million doses of the polio vaccine have been delivered to Gaza. An additional 400,000 doses are expected soon. Over 2,100 health workers, including mobile teams, will assist in delivering both rounds of vaccinations.
The UAE has been leading humanitarian efforts in Gaza under His Highness's direction. More than 40,000 tons of urgent supplies such as food, medical aid, and shelter materials have been delivered.
A field hospital in southern Gaza and a floating hospital at Egypt's Al-Arish port have provided medical care to over 27,000 injured Palestinians. Additionally, an initiative aims to treat more than 1,000 Palestinian children and cancer patients in UAE hospitals.
Water Security Initiatives
To ensure water security, the UAE has established six desalination plants in Rafah, Egypt. These plants produce 1.6 million gallons of water per day, benefiting over 600,000 Gazans.
The World Health Organisation confirmed on Aug. 23 that at least one child in Gaza was paralysed by variant type 2 poliovirus—the first case in 25 years. Campaign planning began after detecting the poliovirus in July 2024.
At least 90 percent vaccination coverage is required during each round to prevent polio spread due to overcrowding and disrupted health systems in Gaza.
With inputs from WAM
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