Polio Eradication


The Global Polio Eradication Initiative

The fight to end polio is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which includes Rotary International, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments of the world, with the support of many others around the globe.
Rotary and its partners have staunchly led the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.  Rotary has helped immunise more the 2.5 million children, mobilised public support for ending polio, contributed over US$1 billion to the global polio eradication effort, and helped solicit support from donor governments resulting in over $9 billion in contributions
2013 : Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are extending their partnership.  For everyone £1 Rotary donates, the Foundation will donate £2.  See the links below for further details. 
    
Status Report : 99% Polio Free
Polio cases have declined rapidly since 1985, but the fight isn't over. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease, and for as little as US$0.60, a child can be protected against the virus for life. If we don't finish the fight right now, more than 10 million children under the age of five could be paralyzed by polio in the next 40 years.
History
1979 : Rotary clubs take on a project to buy and help deliver polio vaccine to more than six million children in the Philippines.
1985 : Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, with an initial pledge of US$120 million.
1988 : Rotarians raise US$247 million for PolioPlus, more than double their fundraising  goal of $120 million.  The World Health Assembly passes a resolution to eradicate polio, setting up the launch of the Global Polio 
Eradication Initiative. More than 125 countries are polio-endemic.
Useful links

Polio Eradication pages:

A Song to help End Polio

more Through the Centuries

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District Grants

more Applications sought for District Grants

Local Disaster District Grants

more Grant application form for emergency disaster grant aid within Cumbria and Lancashire.

Rotary Crocus Pins

more The District has a supply of "End Polio Now" Rotary Crocus Pins in boxes of 100 for purchase by Clubs to sell at their events.

Global Grants

more How to apply for a global grant

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Our Rotary Foundation

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