Children in Sudan’s conflict areas at greater risk of polio: UN

November 6, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Children in Sudan’s conflict-affected areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile may again be at high risk of contracting polio, Geert Cappelaere, the United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in the country said on Thursday.

Sudan was declared polio free, two new cases reportedly emerged this week in South Sudan’s Unity state, near the border with South Kordofan, increasing fears the virus could return to the country.

“It is vital that every effort is made to ensure that this vaccination campaign takes place immediately and all children, no matter where they live, are safe from contracting this terrible disease,” said Cappelaere.

“Polio is preventable with simple vaccination – vaccines are available and free,” he stressed.

According to the UN, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states are of particular concern, as no polio vaccination programmes have been undertaken in several localities since the military conflict between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People Liberation Movement – Northern sector began in 2011.

However, since April 2013, the UN has reportedly put in place operational plans in place to deliver a polio vaccination campaign for 165, 000 children under-five years of age in those conflict-affected areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

“We therefore call upon the highest authorities in the Government of Sudan and in SPLM-N as well as the entire international community to ensure that the interests of the children concerned are of primary consideration in the next round of negotiations with all parties set to be held soon in Addis Ababa,” the top UN official said in a statement released on Thursday.

“All parties should agree to a minimum of 10 days of cessation of hostilities and unconditional support to the UN operational vaccination plan. There is no longer time to lose,” he added.

The two parties have also yet to agree on a cessation of hostilities, the mode of transporting vaccines and the local humanitarian workers who will participate in the operation.

In November 2013, the SPLM-N demanded that the Sudanese government participate in direct talks on the AU-brokered humanitarian truce, but Khartoum refused the request, saying indirect talks through members of the tripartite are sufficient.

The two warring parties are to meet on 12 November for talks on a cessation of hostilities brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.

(ST)