Press Release

UNICEF and WHO: Polio Vaccinators Attacked in Pakistan Are “Heroes”

UNICEF and WHO join the Government and people of Pakistan in condemning the multiple attacks in the past week. Those killed or injured, many of whom are women, are among hundreds of thousands of heroes who work selflessly to eradicate polio and provide other health services to children in Pakistan. Such attacks deprive children in Pakistan of their right to basic lifesaving health interventions and place them at risk for a disease that causes lifelong disability.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (December 19, 2012) — UNICEF and WHO join the Government and people of Pakistan in condemning the multiple attacks in the past week. Those killed or injured, many of whom are women, are among hundreds of thousands of heroes who work selflessly to eradicate polio and provide other health services to children in Pakistan. Such attacks deprive children in Pakistan of their right to basic lifesaving health interventions and place them at risk for a disease that causes lifelong disability.

In light of the prevailing security situation, WHO and UNICEF Pakistan are implementing additional security protocols to ensure the safety and security of their polio workers.

UNICEF, WHO and all our partners in Pakistan express our deepest sympathy to the families of the health workers who were killed or injured. We remain committed to supporting the Government and the people of Pakistan in their efforts to rid the country of polio.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when ZERO children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For additional information, please contact:
Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 646.428.5010, smasur@unicefusa.org