KFAED signs USD 2.5 mln agreement with WHO for Polio Vaccination campaign

KUWAIT, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on Sunday signed a grant agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) under which the fund will provide USD 2.5 million to finance a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Jordan.
WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Kuwait Asad Hafeez said in a press statement ahead of the signing ceremony that the agreement is of great importance in supporting vaccination campaigns for children in Gaza and neighboring countries, describing the day as "an important day for all concerned children." Hafeez noted that polio is a devastating disease, although is fully preventable if vaccines are administered on time, adding that vaccination campaigns will be implemented through field teams conducting door to door visits, alongside community awareness activities to ensure all children are reached.
He expressed pride in the close partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development through this initiative, which aims to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.
He also highlighted Kuwait's significant contributions to supporting vaccination efforts in Gaza and surrounding areas, helping protect children from this disabling disease.
Hafeez extended his sincere thanks to the Government of Kuwait and WHO for launching this vital initiative, which is expected to begin implementation shortly and urgently, contributing to the prevention of disability and long term health complications among children.
According to a statement by the Kuwait Fund, the project, expected to be implemented over a period of about 12 months, will cover multiple polio vaccination campaigns in the targeted areas, ensure adequate vaccine coverage, and identify children who have not yet been immunized.
The statement added that the project also includes organizing vaccination campaigns and enhancing community engagement to reach every child, reducing the risk of international spread, monitoring main routes of internally displaced persons and border crossings, and supporting access to water, food or fuel, as well as distributing hygiene supplies, providing treatment, essential medicines, and delivering vaccines in addition to polio vaccines.
The project further aims to strengthen regional surveillance and laboratory activities to eradicate polio across the region, including environmental surveillance in epidemiologically vulnerable areas, and support an effective network of 12 WHO accredited polio laboratories across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
The fund noted that proposed activities also seek to bolster polio programs through the procurement of laboratory equipment and consumables, enhanced surveillance, secure sample transport, and capacity building to ensure health safety in countries at high risk of disease transmission.(end) mal.hs