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For over 35 years, Rotary International has led the fight to eradicate polio.

Rotary International has been leading the war against polio for over 25 years. In that time the number of endemic countries has been reduced from 125 to just three: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria where threats of conflict and a migratory population enable the disease to pass from person to person. In 2016, fewer children were paralysed by polio than ever before, thanks to the dedication of Rotary members and their partners.

The paralysing, life-altering scourge is on the verge of becoming the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

In a partnership spanning a decade, Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have announced a further commitment of up to $450 million to support the eradication of polio. Aalong with the other Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, activities include immunisation and surveillance over the next three years.

Rotary, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, has donated more than $1.6 billion to polio eradication.

“The vision of eradicating polio began with Rotary, and its support of that effort has been unwavering for more than 35 years,” said Gates. “Rotary’s commitment to raise $150 million over the next three years to end polio forever is a testament to the compassion, generosity, and kindness of more than a million Rotarians around the world.”