Last month, global leaders committed US$2.6 billion in funding towards the complete eradication of polio from the world. It is now time for individual Rotarians and clubs to commit to ending polio and make their contributions.

Article by PDG Murray Verso, End Polio Now Coordinator

At a pledging event hosted by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development at the World Health Summit in Berlin, countries and philanthropic organisations affirmed their support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s 2022-26 Strategy to end polio

The funding will support global efforts to overcome the final hurdles to polio eradication, vaccinate 370 million children annually over the next five years and continue disease surveillance across 50 countries.

Rotary International is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). GPEI is a public-private partnership led by national governments with six core partners. The other partners are the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, (Gavi; previously the GAVI Alliance, and before that the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization).

It was pleasing to note that apart from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation outstanding pledge of US$1.2 billion, Rotary International made the largest pledge of US$150 million. The Australian government was also a significant contributor.

Announcing Rotary International’s commitment at the event, PRIP Ian Riseley, Chair, Rotary Foundation, said: 

“While polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere. This is an opportune moment for the global community to recommit to the goal and ensure the resources and political will are fully available to protect children from polio paralysis while building stronger health systems. That is why today, Rotary is reaffirming its commitment of an additional US$150 million to the global effort to eradicate polio.”

Rotarians were delighted at the generous praise our great organisation received from many of those speaking at the pledging event, most notably Dr Chris Elias of the Gates Foundation and Minister Pat Conroy of the Australian government. Rotary’s commitment received a huge cheer.

Despite the current economic challenges around the world, governments and partners stepped forward in Berlin to demonstrate their collective resolve to eradicate the second human disease ever. In addition to existing pledges, new commitments to the 2022-26 Strategy included:

• Australia pledged AU$43.55 million
• France pledged EUR 50 million
• Germany pledged EUR 72 million
• Japan pledged US$11 million
• Republic of Korea pledged KRW 4.5 billion
• Luxembourg pledged EUR 1.7 million
• Malta pledged EUR 30,000
• Monaco pledged EUR 450,000
• Spain pledged EUR 100,000
• Turkey pledged US$20,000
• United States pledged US$114 million
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged US$1.2 billion
• Bloomberg Philanthropies pledged US$50 million
• Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America pledged US$1.8 million
• Latter-day Saint Charities pledged US$400,000
• Rotary International pledged US$150 million
• UNICEF pledged US$5 million

In addition to the funding for GPEI announced in Berlin, at the same time a group of more than 3,000 scientists, physicians, and public health experts from around the world released a declaration endorsing the GPEI 2022-26 Strategy and calling on donors to stay committed to the goal of eradicating polio by ensuring the GPEI is fully funded. It is estimated that US$4.8 billion is needed to fully implement the 2022-26 Strategy.

It is now time for individual Rotarians and clubs to commit to ending polio and make their contributions here: Donate to End Polio. Rotary’s goal is to raise US$50 million each year over the next 3 years. To reach this goal, we need to follow the lead of the philanthropists and national government at the World Health Summit and make our own contributions. Together we will see the end of this disease.