PolioPlus, the most
ambitious program in Rotary’s history, is the volunteer arm
of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio.
For more than 20 years, Rotary has led the private sector in
the global effort to rid the world of this crippling
disease. Today, PolioPlus and its role in the initiative is
recognized worldwide as a model of public-private
cooperation in pursuit of a humanitarian goal.
In addition to providing financial and volunteer support,
Rotary works to urge support from other public and private
sector partners. This includes the campaign to End Polio
Now, inspired by the extraordinary challenge grants received
from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Since PolioPlus began in 1985, Rotary’s vast network of 1.2
million members has contributed money, volunteer time, and
networking expertise to the polio eradication effort.
• Rotary’s financial contributions to the global polio
eradication effort will reach nearly US$1.2 billion by the
time the world is certified polio-free.
• Rotary’s leadership, beginning in 1985, inspired the World
Health Assembly to pass a resolution to eradicate polio,
which paved the way for the formation of the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative in 1988.
• Thousands of Rotarians around the world have volunteered
during National Immunization Days to immunize children.
• The PolioPlus program helps Rotary fund operational costs,
such as transportation, vaccine delivery, social
mobilization, and training of health workers, and support
surveillance activities.
• Rotarians work to encourage both donor and polio-affected
governments to commit the political and financial resources
needed to eradicate polio.
Find out more at:
Polio Plus |
