Polio is making a dangerous comeback. According to UNICEF, 85% of the children affected by polio in 2023 lived in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Vaccination rates have dropped dramatically, leaving millions of children vulnerable.
On World Polio Day, UNICEF issued a stark warning. Polio cases in countries affected by conflict have more than doubled in the last five years. The organization’s analysis shows that vaccination coverage has dropped from 75% to just 70%. This is far below the 95% needed for community immunity. The resurgence of the disease, especially in fragile countries, has become a significant global health concern.
CONFLICT ZONES HIT HARD BY POLIO
UNICEF’s report paints a grim picture of polio in conflict zones. Out of the 21 countries presently battling polio, 15 are fragile or conflict-affected. These countries include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.
These nations struggle to keep routine childhood immunizations. Ongoing conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises make it difficult to reach children with life-saving vaccines. This has led to a resurgence of polio, a disease that the world hoped to eliminate.
A DEEPER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
In 2023, the global fight against polio took a significant step back. UNICEF’s data shows that 85% of children affected by the disease were from conflict-affected regions. Countries like Afghanistan and DRC continue to face obstacles in providing routine vaccinations to their populations.
Health systems in these regions are fragile. Bombings, displacements, and destruction of infrastructure have all contributed to the collapse of healthcare services. The result is a rise in diseases that were once under control, including polio.
GAZA FACES A POLIO EMERGENCY AFTER 25 YEARS
Gaza is one region that saw the return of polio in 2023 after 25 years without the disease. In response, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an emergency polio vaccination campaign. The campaign, which started in September, aimed to vaccinate nearly 600,000 children under 10 years old.
Yet, renewed bombings and mass displacement have delayed the campaign’s progress, especially in northern Gaza. This delay increases the risk of further polio outbreaks in the region.
HUMANITARIAN PAUSES ARE CRITICAL FOR VACCINATION EFFORTS
UNICEF’s report highlights the need for humanitarian pauses in conflict zones. These pauses allow healthcare workers to safely reach affected communities. In regions experiencing ongoing violence, pauses in fighting are essential to deliver vaccines and prevent further outbreaks.
Polio spreads quickly, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate healthcare services. Humanitarian pauses give a brief window of opportunity to protect vulnerable children.
GLOBAL CALL FOR URGENT ACTION
UNICEF is urging governments and international organizations to take immediate action. The organization delivers over one billion doses of polio vaccines annually. Still, more needs to be done to reach children in conflict-affected areas.
“The spread of polio not only puts children in affected countries at immediate risk. It also poses a growing threat to neighboring countries,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. She emphasized that the final push to eliminate polio is the hardest but also the most crucial.
“We can’t rest until every child, in every corner of the world, is safe from polio – once and for all,” Russell said.
WHY VACCINATION COVERAGE HAS DROPPED
The drop in vaccination coverage from 75% to 70% is alarming. This decrease is largely due to conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises. These events make it difficult for health workers to reach vulnerable populations, especially children.
In many conflict-affected regions, health systems have collapsed. Bombings destroy hospitals, clinics, and water and sanitation infrastructure. Families are displaced, making it even harder to keep regular vaccination schedules.
IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY IMMUNITY
For polio, community immunity is essential to stop the spread of the virus. This means that at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. When vaccination rates drop, polio can quickly resurge, especially in areas with poor sanitation and healthcare.
In fragile and conflict-affected countries, maintaining this high level of vaccination coverage is a constant challenge. Without community immunity, children are left vulnerable to a disease that should have been eradicated.
ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
International organizations like UNICEF and WHO play a vital role in combating polio. They deliver vaccines, coordinate emergency campaigns, and offer technical support to countries struggling with polio outbreaks.
Nonetheless, these organizations face significant challenges in conflict zones. Security concerns often limit their ability to reach affected areas. Bombings, blockades, and political instability further complicate vaccination efforts.
HUMANITARIAN COST OF POLIO OUTBREAKS
Polio outbreaks have devastating consequences for children and their families. The disease can cause paralysis and, in severe cases, death. In countries where healthcare services are already overwhelmed, polio outbreaks place an extra burden on struggling health systems.
Families in conflict zones often have to choose between fleeing violence and seeking medical care for their children. Many opt for safety, leaving their children without the vaccines they need to protect them from deadly diseases like polio.
POLIO’S GLOBAL THREAT: A GROWING CONCERN
Polio is not just a concern for countries affected by conflict. The spread of the disease poses a growing threat to neighboring countries as well. Polio can easily cross borders, especially in regions with high population movement and poor vaccination coverage.
UNICEF’s report highlights the need for global cooperation to stop the spread of polio. Governments, international organizations, and communities must work together to protect children from the disease.
FINAL PUSH TO ERADICATE POLIO
Eradicating polio requires sustained effort and global commitment. The world has made significant progress in reducing the number of polio cases. Nonetheless, the final push is always the hardest. Conflict zones, fragile states, and humanitarian crises continue to pose challenges in the fight against polio.
UNICEF and its partners are calling for urgent action to stop the spread of the disease. This includes increasing funding for vaccination campaigns. It also involves improving access to healthcare services in conflict zones. Furthermore, it ensures that all children, no matter where they live, have access to life-saving vaccines.
A CALL TO ACTION
The resurgence of polio in fragile and conflict-affected countries is a wake-up call for the world. Without immediate action, more children will be left vulnerable to this preventable disease. UNICEF’s report serves as a reminder that the fight against polio is far from over.
Governments, international organizations, and communities must unite. They should work together to make sure that every child is safe from polio in every corner of the world.
