Maha Abu Shamas, a mother of five, has been living in a crowded classroom in Deir el-Balah, Gaza, since being displaced from her home last November. With the recent outbreak of polio in Gaza, she has been taking her four children under 10 to get vaccinated against the virus. The confirmation of a case of paralysis in a 10-month-old boy due to polio has left her terrified for her children’s health.
Living in unsanitary conditions in the shelter, Maha worries about the lack of hygiene and the risk of disease for her children. The ongoing war in Gaza has made it difficult for displaced families like hers to access proper healthcare and maintain basic cleanliness. Despite facing many challenges, including the recent loss of her husband in an Israeli airstrike, Maha remains determined to provide for her children and ensure their health and safety.
Similarly, Hanin Abdullah, a mother of three, has been hesitant about vaccinating her children against polio due to her mistrust of international aid efforts following the war. Living with her family in cramped quarters with inadequate sanitation, she voices concerns about the dire living conditions that pose a threat to her children’s well-being.
While acknowledging the importance of protecting children from polio, both Maha and Hanin stress the urgent need to improve living conditions in Gaza and end the ongoing conflict. They believe that addressing the root causes of the suffering endured by families in the region is crucial to ensuring a better future for their children. As they continue to navigate the challenges of displacement and war, these mothers highlight the broader issues at stake beyond the polio vaccination campaign.
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