UNICEF Warns of Mounting Polio Risks Amid Afghan Refugee Crisis

The return of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from neighboring Pakistan has posed a significant challenge to the country’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned.

Stevan Lauwerier, the head of UNICEF’s polio eradication program, raised the alarm during a visit to the Torkham border crossing on Sunday, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

Lauwerier stressed the urgent need for intensified actions to eliminate the polio virus among the influx of returning refugees.

In a meeting with UNICEF staff, Lauwerier emphasized the gravity of the situation, as the World Health Organization (WHO) had previously cautioned that the repatriation of nearly 600,000 Afghans from Pakistan, including an estimated 200,000 unvaccinated children, significantly increases the risk of polio outbreaks.

According to WHO data, two positive cases of polio have been recorded in Afghanistan since the start of 2024.

The refugee crisis has been exacerbated by Pakistan’s increased deportation of Afghan migrants, driven by the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. This has further compounded the challenges faced by those seeking to rebuild their lives after returning to their homeland.

UNICEF is now working to rapidly scale up vaccination campaigns and ensure that all vulnerable children are protected against the crippling disease. The organization is calling for urgent international support to address this pressing public health concern.