Lagos – The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said that almost two-thirds of unimmunised children lived in conflict prone countries.
A UNICEF statement signed by its Chief of Immunisation, Mr Robin Nandy, and obtained in Lagos, ranked South Sudan as having the highest percentage of unimmunised children, totaling 61 per cent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was issued ahead of the upcoming World Immunisation Week starting from April 24- 30.
According to the statement, Somalia follows Sudan with 58 per cent, while Syria comes third with 57 per cent.
“Conflict creates an ideal environment for disease outbreaks.
“Children miss out in basic immunisation because of the breakdown and sometimes deliberate destruction of vital health services.
“Even when medical services are available, insecurity in the area often prevents them from reaching children,’’ the statement said.
The statement noted that measles, diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition were major causes of childhood illness and death, and in conflict and emergencies, their effects could worsen.
It explained that less than one per cent of children who contracted measles in non-conflict settings died.
The statement noted that overcrowding and malnutrition, like the ones seen in refugee camps, contributed to 30 per cent of deaths from measles.
“Overcrowding and lack of basic necessities like food, water and shelter make children even more vulnerable to diseases.
“Areas in conflict also see the killing of health workers and the destruction of medical facilities, supplies and equipment, all of which have a disastrous effect on children’s health,’’ it said.
The statement added that vaccination, particularly, against highly contagious measles was a high priority in humanitarian emergencies. (NAN)