Louise Wateridge from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said: “So far, we have managed to vaccinate 187,000 children, and we have been moving from tent to tent and from shelter to shelter.”

The UNRWA spokesperson added: “The reality is that these vaccinations are happening in the middle of a war zone, while many other diseases, such as hepatitis A, are spreading.”

She explained: “Most of the children I have seen are suffering from skin diseases and rashes. So while we are doing everything we can to vaccinate children against one disease, the inhumane conditions that cause and exacerbate these diseases continue.”

Health Hazards

The UNRWA spokesperson described the scene at one health center where sewage had flooded the surrounding streets, forcing children to navigate health hazards to receive their polio vaccinations.

Ms. Wateridge emphasized: “People need everything—besides polio vaccinations, medical supplies, hygiene products, and clean water are all crucial to stop the spread of diseases.”

She added: “What people need most right now is a ceasefire, and they need it immediately.”

Wednesday marks the final day for vaccinations in Gaza’s Middle Area, which humanitarian workers say has been a major success.

In addition to UNRWA, this operation is a joint UN effort with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), partner NGOs, and volunteers.

Despite the ongoing risk of strikes, families have brought their children to health centers and schools for the first of two vaccinations, reflecting the enclave’s strong pre-war support for vaccinations.

For those unable to move easily, aid teams have gone to find vulnerable families and children to ensure that all those under ten receive their dose.

Ms. Wateridge said: “It has been very encouraging to see children coming out and proudly showing us their little finger, marked with a colored marker pen to display that they have received this vaccine.”