QUETTA (Web Desk) – Balochistan government has set up a task force for polio immunization process in Afghan refugee camps in the province.
Provincial Coordinator of Polio Emergency Operation Centre Dr Saif-ur-Rehman said there are around 12 afghan Refugees camps in Balochistan with a target population of 57,808 children.
Talking to media, he said excessive movement along the Afghan border places the children on both side at higher risk of virus transmission.
The task force will lead team trainings, supervision, monitoring, micro plan, filed validation, proper door to door marking, and assessment of the Afghan Refugees camps polio vaccination and coverage of refusals, EOC coordinator said. More than 100,000 children are vaccinated collectively at this points in last 3 months, he added.
According to UN 2015 report, Pakistan hosts almost 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees – still the largest protracted refugee population globally. Since 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of 3.8 million registered Afghans from Pakistan.
