World Polio Day - October 24th
Posted by Allan Stjernegaard
on Oct 17, 2013
Trustee Chair’s Message
On 24 October, we mark World Polio Day. It is a time to
reflect on the progress we've made and to strengthen our
determination for the work ahead.
determination for the work ahead.
It's important to realize how far we've come. We have
reduced the number of polio cases by over 99 percent, from
more than 350,000 a year in the 1980s to 223 in 2012. But
now for the road ahead: Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan,
Nigeria, and Pakistan. Difficult terrain, civil unrest, remote
settlements, and poor sanitation are just some of the
obstacles to immunization. That's why we, and our partners in
the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, are determined to finish
our work.
With the announcement of the extended fundraising
partnership between Rotary International and the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation at the 2013 RI Convention in
Lisbon, Portugal, we have the chance to introduce millions of
new dollars into the campaign. The value of this extended
partnership is more than $500 million, and through it, your
contributions toward polio eradication will work twice as hard.
It's more important than ever that we all take action. Talk to
your government leaders, share your polio stories on your
social networks, and encourage others in your community to
join us in supporting this historic effort. When Rotarians
combine their passion for service with our strong global
network, we are unstoppable. With the backing of the Gates
Foundation and you, the Rotarians around the world, we can
change the face of public health forever