The representative of the World Health Organization in Palestine, Rick Peeperkorn, announced today, Thursday, that the Israeli authorities have agreed to a 3-day humanitarian truce to conduct a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, starting on September 1. Peeperkorn said, during a press conference via video, that "the World Health Organization, in cooperation with partners, will start a polio vaccination campaign on September 1 in Gaza." He added: "The campaign will be conducted in two rounds, where we will be able to cover at least 90% of cases." He explained: "We have held discussions with the Israeli authorities and agreed on humanitarian pauses," stressing that "we must stop the transmission of polio in and outside Gaza." He continued: "What we discussed and agreed upon is that the campaign will begin on September 1 in the central Gaza Strip for 3 days, and there will be a humanitarian truce for several hours each day," noting that the same measure will be taken later in the south and north of the Stri p. Peeperkorn indicated that the truce will take place between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., adding that the campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of 10. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Saturday, September 21, 2024