October 24, 2013: World Polio Day
End Polio Now! We are this close.
On October 24th, Rotary International and the World Health Organization will recognize World Polio Day: a day to reflect on the tremendous progress that has been made in the eradication of polio and a day to strengthen the determination to finish the job.
The battle began in 1988, when more than 350,000 cases of polio in more than 125 countries were reported. In 2012 the number was down to 223 cases in three countries, but the road ahead is difficult. 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. Rotarians and their partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are determined to finish the job that has been started. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been increasingly generous and has publically stated that polio eradication is its number one objective.
Members of the BEL Rotary Club continue to support this global effort and in March 2014 will again launch the Purple Pinkie campaign. Rotarians will be at local stores raising awareness and funds to fight the scourge of this horrible disease.
If you have any questions about this initiative please go to the Rotary International Website www.rotary.org