Polio Eradication
11 November 2002

In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus. It was the 40th anniversary of the United Nations and Rotary pledged US$120 million to buy polio vaccine in support of a global effort to immunize the children of the world. Rotarians worldwide responded with spontaneity and generosity, and exceeded the target by more than 100%. By 1988, the world had made so much progress in controlling polio that the World Health Organization resolved to eradicate the disease, which had killed and paralyzed cildren of every nation for 5,000 years. Rotary decided to participate in the campaign and the largest public health initiative in human history began.

In 1988, there were 350,000 reported cases of Polio in 125 countries. By 2001, the figures have dropped to 600 cases in 10 countirs. Polio cases have dropped by 99.8%, due in no small measures to Rotary's financial contributions and efforts in mobilizing volunteers. To date, 122 nations around the world have benefited from PolioPlus grants and more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. By 2005, Rotary's contributions to the global polio-eradication effort would exceed US$500 million.

We are now at the last leg of the road to eradicate Polio. The experts have estimated that we need about US$400 more. Through pledges by various donars, the Rotary Foundation has estimated that if Rotarians can raise US$80 by 30 June 2003, we should be on our way to eradicate Polio once and for all by 2005.

This is our current challenge. Now, most of the present day Rotarians, over 80%, were not on the scene in 1985 and hence did not have the opportunity to contribute towards the PolioPlus fundraising. Now would be a godsend opportunity to discharge their international responsibility and participate in the challenge to fulfil a pledge by Rotary to the children of the world, which is to give them a lasting and special gift - a world free of polio.

In real terms, it translates to a per capita contribution of about US$100. Think of the benefits of your contribution and take action now.