The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its preparedness to vaccinate recently displaced communities in Benue State through established contingency measures.
This assurance was provided by Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, Health Specialist at UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, during a virtual media dialogue marking the 2025 World Immunization Week. The event, themed “Immunization for All Is Humanly Possible,” was co-hosted by UNICEF’s Enugu office and the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) on Saturday.
Benue State, among 12 states overseen by UNICEF’s Enugu office, faces significant hurdles in healthcare access due to insecurity and displacement. Dr. Anyanyo acknowledged these challenges but stressed that tailored strategies are in place to reach vulnerable groups.
While UNICEF currently supports 11 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the state, she highlighted the urgent need for expanded assistance. “The displacement crisis spans vast areas, and while our contingency plans aim for effective outreach, the demands far exceed current capacities. Government intervention is critical to complement partner efforts,” she explained.
Key obstacles such as funding gaps, vaccine misinformation, security risks, and logistical challenges in North Central Nigeria were underscored as barriers requiring multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Dr. Olusoji Akinyele, another UNICEF Health Specialist, emphasized vaccines’ transformative role in public health, citing a 40% reduction in infant mortality and their pivotal role in curbing disease outbreaks.
UNICEF Communication Officer Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe urged media professionals to amplify immunization successes, while Chief of the Enugu Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, stressed the urgency of meeting vaccination targets. BCA Director General Francis Nwubani praised advancements in vaccine development, noting new inoculations against diseases like malaria and mpox as milestones in global health equity.
The dialogue reinforced calls for unified action to ensure equitable vaccine access, particularly for displaced populations, amid ongoing crises.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
UNICEF’s media dialogue not only highlights the challenges they face but also serves as a rallying cry for global solidarity, positioning immunization as both a humanitarian imperative and a cornerstone of health equity.
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