In a landmark achievement, the Reaching Every Child in Humanitarian Settings (REACH) consortium has successfully administered 9 million vaccine doses to children living in conflict-affected and humanitarian crisis regions across the Horn of Africa. Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), this initiative is a collaborative effort that includes organizations like ThinkPlace, Flowminder, CORE Group, and numerous local civil society groups. It aims to combat the continued spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in some of the most vulnerable areas of the world.
The REACH initiative is part of a broader global effort to address the significant gap in immunization, with 21 million children worldwide, particularly in fragile settings, remaining under-immunized. Alarmingly, 14.5 million of these children have never received a single dose of any vaccine. Without intervention, these children remain at risk of outbreaks that can disrupt regional and global health security. The REACH project is critical in reversing this trend by ensuring immunization reaches even the most remote and hardest-to-reach communities.
In response to the growing needs of children in humanitarian settings, Gavi launched the Zero-Dose Immunization Programme (ZIP) in 2022. This initiative, which partners with humanitarian organizations like IRC, uses a specialized model tailored to the complexities of providing immunization services in crisis zones. Through this approach, REACH has been able to ensure that children in some regions, where vaccines have not been delivered in over a decade, receive the full national immunization schedule.
The REACH consortium faced significant challenges in its early days. When it launched, only 16% of the target 156 communities were accessible to humanitarian actors. However, through dedication and persistence, REACH has now gained access to 96% of these areas. This was made possible through flexible and innovative delivery models such as mobile clinics, community outreach units, and advanced geospatial mapping to pinpoint where interventions are needed most. The efforts of hyperlocal partners have been pivotal in navigating these challenging conditions, ensuring that vaccines reach children in areas where local governments cannot operate due to insecurity, ongoing conflict, or crises exacerbated by climate change.
One of the major highlights of REACH’s efforts has been the partnership with national governments, particularly the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Immunization Programme (NIP). This collaboration ensures that once humanitarian conditions improve, vaccine delivery can be smoothly transitioned back to government-run systems, reinforcing long-term sustainability.
The cost-effectiveness of the REACH initiative is another key aspect of its success. In low- and middle-income countries, vaccine delivery can cost anywhere from US$1 to US$11 per dose. However, REACH has managed to deliver vaccines at an average cost of just US$4 per dose in the Horn of Africa, demonstrating a highly efficient use of resources.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, praised the consortium’s work, stating, “Reaching the most remote and fragile areas, particularly in humanitarian settings, is our final frontier and demands both innovation and collaboration. Partnerships like REACH showcase the extraordinary impact we can have when we work together to protect children and our world from disease outbreaks.”
David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, highlighted the broader impact of the project: “The success of the REACH consortium is measured not only in lives saved but in its critical role in strengthening global health security. Every dose administered is a step toward a safer, healthier future for these children.”
Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, reaffirmed the power of collective action in tackling public health challenges, particularly in conflict-affected regions. She emphasized the importance of collaborations between governments and organizations like Gavi and IRC in ensuring that no child is left behind in the quest for a healthier future.
Beyond reaching new children, REACH has made significant strides in helping older children who missed their routine immunization schedules. As of now, more than 985,000 children aged 0–5 years have received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP1) vaccine, with over 376,000 of them being children who received their first dose after their first birthday. This achievement highlights the progress made in addressing gaps in immunization coverage, particularly among children who missed earlier opportunities for vaccination.
As the REACH consortium continues its vital work, the 9 million vaccine doses administered stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from preventable diseases. Through this ongoing effort, the Horn of Africa is taking a significant step toward securing a healthier future for its children.
