Gaza's children are in a race against time, but UNICEF warns they're hitting a major snag: nearly 1.6 million vaccine syringes and about 938,000 ready-to-use infant formula bottles have been stuck at the border since August. 😢💉🍼
This past Sunday (Nov 9), UNICEF kicked off the first of three rounds of catch-up immunizations for under-3 kids who missed polio, measles and pneumonia shots. Teams reached more than 2,400 little ones on Day 1, but the road ahead still needs supplies and support.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires highlights that syringes and solar-powered fridges—vital for storing vaccine vials—are being treated as 'dual-use' items by Israeli authorities, facing extra security checks that delay clearance even though they're urgently needed.
COGAT—the Israeli military arm overseeing Gaza's aid flow—insists it hasn't blocked syringes or fridges outright. They say they offer 'alternative solutions' and coordinate closely with the UN while taking precautions to prevent aid misuse.
Every day, hundreds of trucks loaded with food, water, fuel, medicines and shelter supplies roll into Gaza. But critical items—like spare parts for water trucks—still can't get in. That leaves almost a million formula bottles out of reach for kids already facing different levels of malnutrition. 💔
The October 10 truce was meant to unleash a massive surge of humanitarian aid, but relief teams warn it's still not enough. With two vaccination rounds left, UNICEF is calling for faster clearance so every child in Gaza can get the life-saving shots they deserve. ✨
As the campaign continues, all eyes are on Gaza's youngest residents—where every syringe counts.
Reference(s):
UNICEF: Israel blocks 1m syringes needed to vaccinate Gaza children
cgtn.com
