The conflict in the Middle East is having a devastating impact on children in the region. A situation that is exacerbated by the lethal impact of children lacking access to water, sanitation, shelter and medicines. The College has written to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to highlight our concerns regarding the current situation.
RCPCH Global Officer Sue Broster commented:
We are deeply alarmed by the postponement of United Nations led polio vaccination campaign in Northern Gaza. The vaccination campaign relies on humanitarian pauses to allow health workers to reach children in their communities safely. Without the provision of these assured humanitarian pauses, poliovirus will spread.
Alongside this development, the decision to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from the country, could have a devastating impact. Only UNRWA can deliver humanitarian aid at the necessary scale and without them effective international humanitarian support in Gaza is all but impossible. The College reiterates our previous call to ensure there are permanent, fully operational, humanitarian corridors ensuring access for the delivery of aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip. Prioritising the survival, safety and wellbeing of the children caught up in the conflict, must be paramount.
RCPCH urges all parties to work together to significantly increase the levels of humanitarian support in the region. This must be accompanied by an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages without delay.