The third phase of the polio vaccination campaign in the northern Gaza Strip has resumed despite the continued bombardment of the area and restrictions on access.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF announced that the campaign in northern Gaza began on Saturday after being postponed 10 days ago due to heavy shelling and mass evacuation orders.
This time, however, it will be limited to just Gaza City, making it difficult for many families to safely bring their children to vaccination centers.
"We came here to vaccinate our children with the second vaccine to protect them from diseases in light of the lack of immunity and food, and the war we are experiencing. As you know, Gaza is in difficult conditions due to lack of hygiene and pollution in drinking water. So, we came to protect them from the aggravation of diseases," said Hala Al-Masry, a Palestinian mother.
The WHO said the final phase of the campaign had hoped to reach about 119,000 children in northern Gaza with a second dose of the vaccine. To stop the local polio transmission, at least 90 percent of children under 10 need to be vaccinated.
"The vaccination targets ages from one day old to 10 years old. We have added vitamin A to the vaccination to enhance immunity in children under the current circumstances," said Dr. Dalia, Vaccination Committee.
A total of 216 teams from the WHO and UNICEF will assist in the vaccination process, but the vaccines require refrigeration at all times and moving them has been complicated by population shifts and displacement.
"The infrastructure here in Gaza has been destroyed. That includes cold chain. UNICEF has been bringing in refrigerators, ice packs and we've been also working with communities to sensitize them about the importance of the polio vaccination campaign, which requires children to take two shots," said Rosalia Bollen, UNICEF Communication Specialist.
The heads of 15 UN and international organizations have called on Israel to stop its attacks on humanitarian workers trying to provide assistance. The WHO said at least four children were wounded on Saturday after a healthcare center was hit in Northern Gaza where parents were bringing their children for polio vaccinations.
Polio vaccination campaign resumes in northern Gaza
Polio vaccination campaign resumes in northern Gaza
A large number of exhibitors are participating in the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), with both newcomers and returning exhibitors bringing a great variety of products, including many debuts.
Themed "New Era, Shared Future", the 7th CIIE opened at 10:00 Tuesday in Shanghai.
A total of 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions have signed up to participate in the CIIE this year, with both numbers exceeding those of the previous session. The participants include 297 Fortune 500 companies and other industry leaders, setting a historical high. A total of 186 companies and institutions have participated in all seven sessions.
Dublin-based automotive technology company Aptiv participates in the CIIE for the first time this year, bringing its automotive intelligence and electrification products, with many exhibits and technologies being released for the first time.
"We have noticed the positive impact the CIIE has brought to global trade over the years, and China's automobile industry is also developing rapidly. So we want to use this excellent platform of the CIIE to conduct more in-depth exchanges and cooperation with companies from various countries including China," said Jiang Weihao, active safety and user experience technical manager of Aptiv China.
Ebara, a global industrial machinery manufacturer with a history of more than 100 years, brings more than 45 exhibits to this CIIE, in which technical products such as hydrogen energy solutions and liquid hydrogen booster pumps are exhibited in China for the first time.
"The CIIE is a platform for trade, culture and technology exchanges, and we have seen results over the years. China's efforts in opening-up are increasing, and its sci-tech innovation capabilities are constantly improving, providing companies with complete services and policy support, giving them confidence in development," said Ou Lei, general manager of business planning of Ebara China.
The CIIE not only attracts new friends, but also brings back a group of old friends. In the service trade exhibition area, the Piraeus Port Authority, manager and operator of Greece's largest port, is participating in the CIIE for the seventh time this year.
"After the first time of the Piraeus Port Authority in the CIIE, we noticed that we have an increase in our container throughput. We have 40 percent of (containers) from the Chinese market. For that reason, Piraeus Port Authority wants to be here in order to expand its knowledge, its experience to meet new partnerships, not only in Chinese market, but in every foreign market,” said a staff member of Piraeus Port Authority.
7th CIIE showcases diverse products from new and returning exhibitors
