Defied Expectations: Polio Vaccination Programs in the Midst of Political and Armed Conflict

Over the course of two decades, polio vaccination programs have been successfully implemented with the cooperation of rebel or insurgent groups that otherwise demonstrated lack of respect for international humanitarian law in places such as Peru, Somalia, Nicaragua, the Democratic Republic of Congo and now Afghanistan.  Moreover, in Nigeria, where political and religious tensions in the north were exacerbated by disparities in access to health services, and resulted in a local boycott of vaccination programs, diplomatic measures were consequently employed to resolve the impasse.  What accounts for the success of these programs?   What are the implications for future vaccination programs beyond polio and other health interventions, and furthermore, for securing adherence to respect for civilian programs as mandated by international humanitarian law? 

Speakers

• Ellyn Ogden
  Worldwide Polio Eradiation Coordinator
  U.S. Agency for International Development
• Jose Amigo Bastos
  Health Coordinator, Afghanistan
  International Committee of the Red Cross
• Judith Kaufmann
  Health Consultant
• Leonard S. Rubenstein, Moderator
  Coordinator, Health and Peacebuilding Working Group
  U.S. Institute of Peace