Africa: Children Affected by Polio in 2023 Lived in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Areas – UNICEF

UN – In 2023, a staggering 85% of African children affected by polio lived in fragile and conflict-affected regions, according to UNICEF. This alarming statistic highlights the significant challenges of eradicating polio in areas plagued by instability, poor healthcare infrastructure, and constant violence.

Polio, once close to being eradicated globally, has seen a resurgence in some African nations where conflict disrupts healthcare services. War-torn countries like Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and parts of Nigeria are among the worst-hit. Conflict prevents children from accessing life-saving vaccines, and insecurity hampers the ability of health workers to carry out immunization campaigns.

In these conflict zones, children are doubly vulnerable—not only to the immediate threats of violence but also to diseases like polio that thrive in the absence of proper sanitation, clean water, and healthcare services. The collapse of essential services in these areas has created breeding grounds for the spread of preventable diseases. A breakdown in communication, infrastructure, and governance makes it nearly impossible to maintain robust immunization coverage.

UNICEF’s report also sheds light on the direct connection between instability and the spread of polio. Armed conflicts often displace large populations, forcing families into overcrowded refugee camps where access to vaccines is limited. With health systems overwhelmed or non-functional, polio—along with other diseases—can easily spiral out of control.

The organization is calling for urgent international intervention and support to address the root causes of this health crisis. It is not just about sending vaccines but ensuring that health workers can reach remote and dangerous areas safely. Special efforts must be made to reach children in conflict-affected zones through innovative methods, such as mobile health clinics, partnerships with local communities, and better security for healthcare workers.

UNICEF’s plea comes with a stern reminder that as long as polio continues to exist in any region, no country is truly safe from its spread. Global solidarity and targeted interventions are essential to ensure that the world stays on track to finally eradicate this devastating disease.