Polio Resurgence Threatens Children in Conflict Zones: 85% of 2023 Cases Reported in Fragile Countries

By Auwal Ahmad Umar, Gombe

The resurgence of polio is posing a severe threat to children living in the world’s most vulnerable regions, with 85% of the 541 global polio cases reported in 2023 occurring in 31 fragile and conflict-affected countries, a new UNICEF analysis reveals.

The alarming increase in cases, more than double over the past five years, coincides with a decline in routine childhood immunisation rates, which have fallen from 75% to 70%, far below the 95% needed for community immunity.

This was contained in a Press statement made available to Newsmen by the Communication Officer UNICEF Bauchi Field office Mr. Opeyemi Olagunju on Thursday.

On World Polio Day, UNICEF warned that the disease continues to flourish in areas where children’s lives are already precarious, exacerbated by conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises.

In these settings, the delivery of essential healthcare services is severely hindered, leading to a resurgence of polio, a disease that should have been eradicated.

“In conflict zones, children are not only facing violence but also the threat of preventable diseases like polio,” said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF.

“The collapse of healthcare systems, the destruction of water and sanitation facilities, and the displacement of families have contributed to a resurgence of this crippling disease.

“It is heartbreaking to see children paralysed, unable to walk or attend school, because of a disease we know how to prevent.”

The report highlighted the concerning resurgence in polio cases across conflict-affected regions, with 15 out of 21 such countries, including Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, currently battling outbreaks.

Even nations that had previously eradicated polio are experiencing new cases, underscoring the need for global vigilance.

UNICEF and its partners have ramped up emergency vaccination efforts in recent months to counteract this resurgence.

“In Gaza, for example, nearly 600,000 children under the age of 10 received polio vaccinations in mid-September during the first round of a vaccination campaign, with a second round recently completed in the southern and central regions.

The organisation is calling for a global commitment to prioritise vaccination efforts, especially in regions with low immunisation rates and ongoing conflicts. Key actions include:

Expanding vaccination coverage to all children, particularly in conflict and low-coverage areas in Africa and Asia.

Strengthening immunisation systems to ensure children receive essential vaccines.

Protecting healthcare workers involved in vaccine delivery and securing humanitarian pauses necessary for immunisation campaigns.

Providing resources to initiatives like the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to halt outbreaks swiftly.

“The resurgence of polio not only endangers children in affected countries but also poses a growing risk to neighbouring nations,” Russell added.

“The final push towards eradication is the most challenging, but we must act now to ensure every child is protected from polio. We owe it to the next generation to finally end this disease once and for all.”

UNICEF’s urgent appeal on World Polio Day seeks to elevate polio eradication on global political agendas and encourage innovative approaches to enhance the quality and reach of vaccination campaigns.

The organisation emphasises that without a concerted global effort, the progress made towards eradicating polio could be undone, endangering millions of children worldwide.