UNICEF reports on an emergency vaccination campaign that was initiated for children living in the Shousha transit camp on the Tunisian-Libyan border. Watch in RealPlayer
The three-day campaign – focusing on immunizing children against polio, measles, diphtheria, tetanus and other diseases – targeted those who have fled the on-going conflict in neighbouring Libya.
As part of the effort, UNICEF psychologists worked in close collaboration with health workers at the Shousha camp, conducting pre-screening and assessments of families with children.
“We are here to reach every child in need of vaccination and we are giving the families a vaccination booklet so they can keep track,” said Filali Najet, a Tunisian nurse from the Ben Guerdane Regional Hospital in southern Tunisia. She said it was difficult at times to accurately assess the vaccinations children had already received prior to fleeing Libya.
Smaller camps have also been set up by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United Arab Emirates Red Crescent, and other non-governmental organizations near the border area. The vaccination team from the Tunisian Ministry of Health will be visiting those camps this week to assess and continue the UNICEF-supported vaccination campaign.
UNICEF response
At this stage, the number of fleeing migrants staying in camps on the Tunisia-Libya border numbers less than 5000. This includes mostly male migrant workers and about 400 families.
UNICEF and partners continue to support those living in the camps by providing latrines and good hygiene awareness, as well as child protection activities – including a child-friendly space in partnership with Save the Children – and a team of Tunisian psychologists who work with affected families.
Supplies on the ground
Last week, some 47 tons of UNICEF supplies arrived in the city of Ben Guerdane on the Tunisia-Libya border, to cover needs in the areas of health, child protection, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.
The supplies include food items such as high-nutrient, ready-to-eat Plumpy’nut, a peanut-based paste effective in treating moderate malnutrition. Non-food items include a total of 10,000 blankets, 5,000 hygiene kits, 100 early childhood development kits, as well as vaccines, first aid kits, water containers, and recreational items.
Read the full field report from Roshan Khadivi on the Libyian - Tunisa border here.