Rotary International

New Capabilities

Founding partner of global eradication effort

When the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched in 1988, wild poliovirus paralyzed 350,000 children annually across 125 countries, but today it survives in only two: Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan's nationwide vaccination campaign from February 2-8, 2026, reached 44.3 million of 45 million targeted children under five across 159 districts, achieving 98% coverage. Eliminating polio would make it only the second human pathogen ever eradicated, after smallpox.

Updated May 26

Money Moves

Grassroots fundraising engine and advocacy network for polio eradication

Global donors pledged US$1.9 billion to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at an Abu Dhabi pledging event on 8 December 2025, temporarily stabilizing a campaign facing a 30% budget cut in 2026 and a multi-year gap. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged US$1.2 billion and Rotary International pledged US$450 million, narrowing the 2022–2029 funding shortfall to roughly US$440 million but leaving a gap. Wild poliovirus transmission has resurged in Afghanistan and Pakistan as vaccine-derived polio sparks outbreaks in under-immunized communities worldwide.

Updated May 10