On World Polio Day, Sat Oct 24th, Rotary members around the world will come together to raise awareness and provide support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
In 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9%, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary is proud to have contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985 and Rotary remains committed to the end.
Now what? With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
How does Rotary help? More than one million Rotary members around the world have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. They work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support. Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.