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Amid ongoing conflict, Iraq completes massive polio campaign for children with support from UNICEF and WHO

Despite the ongoing conflict, violence and displacement across Iraq, a mass polio immunization campaign succeeded in reaching 3.75 out of 4 million children under the age of 5. 

The five-day campaign between 10 and 14 August was organised by the Iraqi Ministry of Health with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and was part of the national response to the re-emergence of the poliovirus in Iraq earlier this year. The campaign comes at a time when the number of displaced children continues to increase on a daily basis. Approximately 65,000 internally displaced children were vaccinated in the Kurdish Duhok Governorate alone.

“This campaign represents a real success for children,” said UNICEF Iraq Representative Dr. Marzio Babille, “and this is thanks to the incredible commitment of the health teams who worked in very difficult circumstances. We commend each one of them.”  

The campaign, which aimed to reach children in 14 Directorates of Health in 12 Iraqi Governorates, was made particularly challenging by the internal displacement of nearly   1.8 million people since the beginning of the year, of whom half are estimated to be children. However, health authorities were able to use pre-positioned stocks of vaccine and other supplies to ensure a high number of children were reached. 

“In a country going through one emergency after another, a successful polio immunization campaign spreads hope that humanitarian work can achieve its goals,” said Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Iraq Representative. 

The confirmation of two cases of polio in Iraq in February and April this year ended a 14-year period during which the country remained polio-free. With a relatively high number of unvaccinated children due to difficulties in accessing families and children, especially in slums and conflict zones, experts say Iraq has now become vulnerable to a wider outbreak of the crippling and incurable disease. 

Notes to editors:

For further information, please contact the UNICEF UK Media Office, 0207 375 6030 media@unicef.org.uk

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  UNICEF UK raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work and advocates for lasting change for children everywhere. We are a UK registered charity, supported entirely by voluntary donations. We do not receive any money from the UN. For more information, please visit unicef.org.uk

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