❗️UNICEF: Israel blocking child vaccination supplies from entering Gaza, 1.6 million syringes and vaccine fridges stuck in customs since August
UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said today that vital supplies, including syringes for child vaccinations and bottles for baby formula, are being blocked from entering Gaza by Israel, hindering aid operations in the war-torn enclave.
The agency, which is carrying out a mass vaccination drive amid a fragile ceasefire, said it has been unable to deliver 1.6 million syringes and solar-powered fridges needed to store vaccine doses. The supplies have been stuck awaiting customs clearance since August, UNICEF said.
"Both the syringes and the ... refrigerators are considered dual-use by Israel and these items we're finding very hard to get them through clearances and inspections, yet they are urgent," UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said.
The term "dual-use" refers to goods that Israel says could have both civilian and military purposes.
2025/11/12 Edited to
... Read moreFrom my personal experience volunteering in health supply chains, I have seen firsthand how crucial timely delivery of medical supplies is to emergency vaccination programs. In conflict areas like Gaza, delays of items such as syringes and vaccine fridges can severely impact public health efforts. For example, with vaccines needing cold storage, the absence of solar-powered fridges puts entire immunization campaigns at risk of failure due to spoilage.
This issue of "dual-use" designation, where supplies are considered potentially usable for military purposes, often complicates humanitarian deliveries and adds bureaucratic roadblocks. The vaccine syringes and refrigeration equipment held up in Gaza customs since August illustrate this dilemma clearly. Without these essential items, children remain vulnerable to preventable diseases, exacerbating the already dire health conditions in war-affected regions.
Additionally, I learned that international organizations like UNICEF rely heavily on cooperation between all parties to ensure such vital aid reaches those in need. In cases where customs clearance is delayed, alternative diplomatic and logistic strategies may be required, such as enhanced negotiations or using different transit routes to bypass bottlenecks.
Ultimately, it’s a stark reminder that beyond the immediate conflict, these humanitarian obstacles directly influence the health and survival of millions, particularly children. The global community must prioritize resolving such impasses to safeguard vulnerable populations and uphold the basic rights to health during crises.