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Threat to National Immunization Days in Sierra Leone

Thursday, 4 May 2000: UNICEF deplores the breakdown of peace in Sierra Leone. The outbreak of fighting between the UN peacekeepers and the RUF rebel faction is particularly tragic for the children of Sierra Leone, who have already suffered enough during nine years of civil war.

One of the most hopeful signs, following last spring's peace accord, was that the first two of four vital polio immunization campaigns took place peacefully throughout Sierra Leone, with cooperation from all parties. The first two rounds of the National Immunization Days were extremely successful; 98 per cent of all under-five children were vaccinated during the second round.

This most recent violence gravely imperils prospects for the third round of this essential campaign, long scheduled for 20-21 May. This round is particularly critical as it also includes distribution of vitamin A supplements, a life-saving intervention for children weakened by chronic malnutrition.

Unless key areas of the country can be reached, the entire purpose of the polio eradication effort in Sierra Leone will be defeated, seriously violating the rights of children there.

This is a global issue. UNICEF and her partners - the World Health Organization, Rotary International and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- are working against the clock to bring about the end of polio. Sierra Leone is one of the high priority countries where eradication must take place if the greatest global public health victory since the eradication of small pox is to be achieved.

UNICEF appeals to all parties to act in the best interests of Sierra Leone's children and for an immediate commitment of all concerned to allow peaceful completion of the third round of National Immunization Days later this May.

Also see:
A world without polio

Home| UNICEF in Action | Highlights | Information Resources | Donations, Greeting Cards & Gifts | Press Centre | Voices of Youth | About UNICEF