China's support to Vanuatu has helped the Pacific country with climate change readiness, and there is ample room to deepen cooperation in this field, said Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs Johnny Koanapo.
Koanapo is a member of the visiting delegation led by Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
During the visit, leaders from the two countries exchanged views on bilateral relations and important issues of common concern and drew up a blueprint for the future development of China-Vanuatu relations.
Koanapo stressed that as a nation made up of some 80 islands, climate change assistance is highly welcomed for Vanuatu.
"China's overseas development assistance to Vanuatu and other countries in the Pacific is not only confined to infrastructure, it also extended to other areas, particularly in climate change. We used to have a lot of [people] who come to China to study different areas and qualifications in different areas. But one of the areas that we've increasingly seen our young people come to study in China is in the area of climate change. And I think this is one of the assistances that China made. One of our young boys that is doing his master's degree in Shanghai, and he's doing that in environmental engineering -- these are the kinds of skills that countries have and are able to provide to other countries. That this pretty needed education capacity building in this series, and China has been supportive of this," he said.
"Not only that, but China is able to support the climate resiliency projects in the Pacific as well as other things that China is able to provide. We will in the near future be able to have a more comprehensive partnership agreement with the Chinese government. And one of the areas that we'll be focusing on risks is how to be able to address the issues of climate change, particularly in the infrastructure," Koanapo said.
Vanuatu seeks to deepen cooperation with China on climate issues: minister
Over 187,000 children under ten years of age were vaccinated for polio in central Gaza during the first phase of a two-round polio vaccination campaign, which began on Sept 1, according to the latest release by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday.
The children received the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) and were each marked on the finger with ink to indicate the dose had been administered.
The WHO expressed gratitude to the agencies and personnel involved in the vaccination efforts and reiterated its call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Preparations, including vital efforts to keep vaccines refrigerated amid complex logistics and communicating with local medics, are underway for the second phase of the vaccination drive, which is set to begin on Thursday in southern Gaza.
Adele Khodr, regional director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) office in the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement on Wednesday that the vaccination campaign over the past three days has "brought a rare bright spot amid the disastrous conflict in the Gaza Strip."
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) emphasized its commitment to vaccinating as many children as possible and highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Wednesday that vaccination efforts would shift to areas in southern Gaza, including Khan Younis and Rafah, starting Thursday following the conclusion of the first phase of the campaign in the enclave's central region. During this period, polio vaccination will continue at four large health facilities in central Gaza to ensure no child is missed.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children under five. It can lead to paralysis or death in severe cases. With no cure available, vaccination remains the most effective and economical method of prevention.
Poliovirus was detected in environmental samples in the Gaza Strip in July. Health authorities in the Gaza Strip announced on Monday that a polio epidemic had broken out across the Palestinian enclave, blaming Israeli military operations for the damage to sanitation and medical systems that had precipitated the spread of the deadly virus.
The first phase has covered central Gaza locales including Deir al-Balah and the refugee camps of al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi and al-Bureij. The second phase began Sept 5 in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, with northern Gaza set to be covered on Sept 9.
First phase of polio vaccination completed with over 187,000 children in central Gaza vaccinated
Over 187,000 children in central Gaza vaccinated against polio
