Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Discovery of poliovirus in Gaza incredibly alarming, UNICEF chief says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Jul 2024 12:47
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

The poliovirus has been added to the list of multiple humanitarian crises Gaza is experiencing on a daily basis.

Listen
  • x
  • Catherine Russell, then ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues at the U.S. State Department, speaks during a panel discussion at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, January 8, 2015. (AFP)
    Catherine Russell, then ambassador-at-large for global women's issues at the US State Department, speaks during a panel discussion at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, January 8, 2015. (AFP)

The discovery of poliovirus in Gaza after UNICEF carried out tests on sewage samples is "extremely alarming", UNICEF Executive Director Catheline Russel underlined Thursday.

Gaza today is one of "the most dangerous places to be a child right now," the UN children's agency head warned.

Russell said the world was "getting so close, we believe, to getting rid of polio once and for all," adding that a potential outbreak requires "close attention."

"When children are already hungry and weak, their bodies are much more vulnerable and susceptible to getting these diseases," Russell said during an interview in Australia, expressing concern about the possible transmission of other infectious diseases in Gaza, such as cholera.

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor accused "Israel" of weaponizing the "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare", an act that violates international humanitarian law which the occupation government has denied.

Related News

UNICEF: 'Israel' massacred over 50 children in Jabalia in 2 days

UNICEF chief 'deeply concerned' over humanitarian situation in Lebanon

'It's not totally lawless, but there's an element of lawlessness to it'

As part of her visit to Australia, the UNICEF executive met with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Monday, expressing that Gaza is an "incredibly dangerous" operating environment for the UN organization and other humanitarian institutions. 

"It's not totally lawless, but there's an element of lawlessness to it," she said, according to The Guardian.

Aside from "Israel's" ongoing nine-month bombardment and genocide in Gaza, Russell attributed the Strip's status as potentially "the most dangerous place to be a child right now" to the destruction and "radically compromised" health facilities, as well as the contentious displacement of the population.

"People are moving with nothing and moving to places where there is nothing," she said.

The director also responded to the occupation regime's constant blame on the UN organizations' alleged inability and lack of coordination to deliver aid to Gaza, stressing that the damaged infrastructure and security breakdowns were contributing factors to ineffective distribution.

"Yes, it is hard to get aid around for sure," she said. "But that's not for a lack of trying or a lack of competence on our part."

  • Catherine Russell
  • Gaza
  • UNICEF
  • United Nations
  • Palestine
  • Poliovirus
  • Gaza genocide
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS