Middle East Crisis: Gaza Polio Vaccine Campaign Under Fire
November 3, 2024
Gaza City, Gaza Strip
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have come under fire over their polio vaccine campaign in the Gaza Strip, with critics accusing them of using the program as a cover for spying.
The allegations stem from reports that vaccination teams have been taking photographs of children’s faces, which critics say could be used for intelligence purposes. The teams have also been accused of using GPS devices to track the movements of children and their families.
In a statement, the WHO and UNICEF denied the allegations, saying that the data collected during the vaccination campaign was only used for public health purposes. The organizations also said that the vaccination teams had been trained to respect the privacy of the people they were serving.
However, the allegations have sparked widespread anger in Gaza, where many people are already distrustful of international organizations. The allegations have also raised concerns about the safety of the polio vaccine itself, which some people believe could be used as a biological weapon.
In response to the allegations, the Hamas government in Gaza has banned the WHO and UNICEF from carrying out any further vaccination campaigns in the territory. The government has also called for an investigation into the allegations.
The allegations against the WHO and UNICEF are the latest in a series of controversies over international organizations operating in Gaza. In recent years, there have been allegations of aid diversion, corruption, and even complicity in war crimes.
The allegations have eroded trust in international organizations among the people of Gaza, who are already struggling to survive under a crippling Israeli blockade. The allegations have also made it more difficult for international organizations to operate in Gaza, which is already one of the most difficult places in the world to provide humanitarian assistance.
Middle East crisis: Gaza polio vaccine campaign under fire
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