Learn about Esmail Yenus, a dedicated father in Ethiopia's Afar region, who is setting a powerful example of male involvement in childhood immunization. Discover how his support for his children’s health and his efforts to educate his community are improving vaccination rates and promoting health awareness.
As the only polio-affected health worker in Faisalabad, Punjab province, Adnan knows the high price of refusing the vaccine and is determined that no child should face the challenges he did.
In the challenging terrains of Faisalabad, Punjab province, two brothers, Farooq Ahmed, and Ahmed Rauf, embody unwavering commitment and resilience. Their mission is clear: a polio-free Pakistan. For years, they have worked tirelessly in one of the most inaccessible riverine union councils (UC) of Tandlianwala, where harsh weather and difficult landscapes are daily obstacles.
In Chardei Village, Batikot District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, poor sanitation has been a key factor in recurring polio cases. In 2024, UNICEF's WASH and Polio programs collaborated with WHO and local leaders to improve sanitation and hygiene, aiming to disrupt polio transmission. This integrated approach went beyond vaccination, addressing community-driven hygiene initiatives to reduce the spread of the virus in vulnerable areas. These efforts led to inspiring results: handwashing practices surged from just 13% to an incredible 95%, water treatment rose dramatically from 15% to 93%, and latrine use increased from 30% to 70%, positively impacting over 1,300 families.
In Ankoro, DRC, Nestor Twite Kazadi is a 30-year-old community mobilizer making a significant impact in the fight against polio. Facing challenges like poverty, conflict, and misinformation, Nestor goes door-to-door educating parents about the importance of vaccinating their children. His efforts have led to thousands of parents being informed and hundreds of children receiving the polio vaccine. Nestor's dedication not only improves vaccination rates but also changes mindsets, inspiring others in his community. Supported by organizations like UNICEF, hseroes like Nestor are essential in working towards a polio-free future.
In the Dibaya Health Zone of DR Congo, Mrs. Josephine transformed from a skeptical mother to a dedicated vaccinator in the fight against polio. After realizing the devastating effects of the disease, she not only vaccinated her own child but also joined vaccination campaigns to educate and protect other children. Her inspiring journey highlights the importance of community involvement and serves as a powerful call to action for parents to vaccinate their children. Supported by UNICEF, heroes like Mrs. Josephine are vital in working towards a polio-free future.
UNICEF's U-Report Communities of Action, in partnership with S4P (Solutions for People) Group, has effectively strengthened polio vaccination awareness across ten districts in Uganda. By training youth as community mobilizers, over 14,000 parents and caregivers, along with more than 10,000 students, were reached, increasing immunization coverage and overcoming vaccine hesitancy. Leveraging innovative digital tools like the Fundoo chatbot and involving local stakeholders, the initiative successfully engaged communities, highlighting the vital role of young people in health promotion and disease prevention.
UNICEF is leveraging Cameroon's polio vaccination campaign from October 24 to 27 to address the critical issue of unregistered births, ensuring that thousands of children receive both immunization and official birth certificates. Despite Cameroonian law providing free birth registration within 90 days of birth, many parents miss this window, leaving children without legal identity. By integrating birth registration into the vaccination efforts, particularly in the Ngoumou health district and the locality of Bikok—part of UNICEF's "Child-Friendly Municipalities" initiative—the campaign aims to secure both health and identity for every child. This initiative underscores UNICEF's commitment to holistic interventions during a child's first 1,000 days, bridging the gap between the rights guaranteed by international conventions and the realities on the ground.
In the Lake Chad Basin, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad are synchronizing cross-border polio vaccination campaigns to ensure no child is missed in the fight against polio. From October 24 to 27, 2024, Cameroon's campaign aligns with Nigeria's efforts to combat persistent variant polioviruses. Health districts across Cameroon's Far North, N'Djamena in Chad, and Borno State in Nigeria are collaborating on strategies like "Back-to-Back" vaccinations at border crossings, data sharing, and real-time communication via WhatsApp. Despite challenges like unsynchronized campaigns with Chad and complex border points like the Ngueli Bridge, coordinated efforts involving authorities and community leaders are overcoming obstacles. Part of the 2024-2025 cross-border coordination plan by the Rapid Response Team (RRT), this initiative showcases the vital role of synchronization and collaboration in eradicating polio and moving toward a polio-free Lake Chad Basin.
The "School Without Polio" initiative in Cameroon is uniting the health and education sectors to combat polio and address vaccine hesitancy among children aged 0 to 5. Led by the NGO Family Club and supported by UNICEF, over 650 stakeholders—including 350 mobilizing teachers—have been deployed across nurseries, primary schools, Quranic schools, and Sunday schools. Through advocacy sessions in Yaoundé, Douala, and Bafoussam, the initiative tackled root causes of vaccine hesitancy, such as delayed information and lack of communication between health services, schools, and parents. Embraced by educators and school officials, the program has transformed teachers into health ambassadors, leading to visible improvements in vaccination rates and establishing a sustainable framework for collaboration between the health and education sectors in Cameroon.
