ROTARY FOUNDATION DISBURSEMENT ATTACKS POLIO

According to Rotary International News, nine countries and two World Health Organization regions have received The Rotary Foundation's first distribution from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's $100 million challenge grant for polio eradication. Made in January, the US$40 million disbursement is being used by WHO and UNICEF to carry out immunization activities in the four remaining polio-endemic countries - Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan - plus five others where "imported" polio cases have been reported. Surveillance and technical support are also being funded in WHO's African and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

Salim Habayeb, WHO's representative in India, calls Rotary International "a cherished partner" and says the funding "will ensure the continuation of high-quality surveillance and the sustainability of technical assistance."

"This tremendous support comes at a crucial time for the polio eradication effort," says Gianni Murzi, UNICEF's representative in India.

Since the grant distribution, Rotarians have continued their hands-on support to maximize the push to end polio. A team of 54 Rotarians and friends from Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States helped promote and carry out India's National Immunization Days (NIDs) in February, which reached more than 170 million children.