Gaza - September 1, 2024

Storyline:
A polio vaccination campaign kicked off in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over two million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The campaign started in central Gaza, including the city of Deir al-Balah and the refugee camps of al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi, and al-Bureij. The second phase is scheduled for Sept. 5 in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with northern Gaza set to be covered on Sept. 9.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has established vaccination centers in hospitals, clinics, schools, and shelters.

The United Nations has delivered 1.2 million doses of the oral polio vaccine, targeting approximately 640,000 children. Each child from birth to 10 years old is to receive two doses.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause Gaza fighting for the vaccination to take place. However, Israel has refused to implement a complete ceasefire, confirming only a humanitarian corridor for vaccination personnel and designated safe areas for vaccine administration during certain hours.

Israel continued its airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday.

Some residents in Gaza did not dare to go to the vaccination sites until they were safe. They accused Israel of destroying their life and the Strip's medical system, which has contributed to the spread of polio and other diseases that may destroy Gaza's future.

The vaccination campaign comes after the first polio case in 25 years in Gaza was reported last month. Hassan Zakat, another resident in the region, called for more humanitarian aid to prevent medical disasters in Gaza.

Shotlist:
Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip - Sept 1, 2024:
1. People at vaccination site;
2. Various of children receiving polio vaccines;
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ibrahim Abu, person in charge of vaccination campaign in central Gaza:
"We have set up 40 fixed vaccination sites and some mobile vaccination sites in Deir el-Balah and other areas in central Gaza. Fixed vaccination sites will operate constantly, while mobile ones will be set up based on the population density of specific areas."
4. Various of parents, children waiting at vaccination site;
5. Various of children receiving polio vaccines;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Akram Abu Abdul, Gazan resident (ending with shot 7):
"The vaccination is very important to my child. It can prevent virus infection and lower the rate of catching polio. It is necessary to vaccinate children against not only polio but also other kinds of diseases, because the living conditions in Gaza are getting worse and worse."
7. Various of children receiving polio vaccines;
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hassan Zakat, Gazan resident:
"Under the long siege by Israeli forces, Gaza is extremely short of medicine and other medical supplies, with almost all the medical institutions destroyed. In light of the epidemics spreading in Gaza, I think the current effort is not enough. We need more international support."
9. Various of parents, children waiting in lines for polio vaccination.

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