Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
BBC Sport>>
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Tuesday, 10 October, 2000, 09:27 GMT 10:27 UK
Ceasefire for Afghan polio campaign
By Susannah Price in Islamabad
Afghanistan's warring sides have agreed to a three-day ceasefire starting on Tuesday to enable the United Nations to immunize children against polio.
The volunteers aim to vaccinate more than five million children during two rounds of national immunization days
The UN said both the Taleban authorities and the opposing northern alliance had given their commitment to respect a ceasefire while the immunization programme takes place.
During the last polio vaccination programme in May and June this year, a similar ceasefire was respected by both sides.
Polio burden
The UN has set itself a daunting task in Afghanistan - the volunteers aim to vaccinate more than five million children during two rounds of national immunization days.
The UN says it needs to reach all children up to the age of five and special measures would be taken to ensure children who were internally displaced by fighting were vaccinated.
It said those crossing borders would also require special attention and the programme is taking place in Pakistan on the same dates.
The programme has been particularly successful in Pakistan, where the number of polio cases has dropped dramatically.
The UN said polio placed a burden on the Afghan population in terms of suffering, lost productivity and the increased need for medical resources.
The UN said they would carry out a further programme in November.
Related to this story:
Afghan ceasefire urged for polio campaign
(24 Oct 99 | South Asia)
Push to beat polio in Afghanistan
(10 Jun 99 | South Asia)
WHO to 'eradicate polio by 2001'
(07 Jul 99 | World)
Internet links:
Unicef |
Teleban Islamic Movement |
WHO |
Polio Organisation |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
BBC Sport>>
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©