Polio Plus

PolioPlus, the most ambitious program in Rotary's history, is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio.  For 25 years, Rotary has led the private sector in the global effort to rid the world of this crippling disease.  Today PolioPlusand its role in the initiative is recognized worldwide a 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 and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

With nearly 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas, Rotary reaches out to national governments worldwide to have helped raise more that $3 billion in vital funding from donor governments.

Rotary clubs also provide "sweat equity" on the ground in polio-afflicted communities, which helps ensure that leaders at all levels remain focused on the eradication goal.  Over the years. Rotary club members have volunteered their time and personal resources to reach more than two billion children in 122 countries with the oral polio vaccine.

Thanks to Rotary and its partners, the number of polio cases has been slashed by more than 99%, preventing five million instances of childhood paralysis and 250,000 deaths.  When Rotary began its eradication work, polio infected more than 350,000 children annually.  In 2009, fewer than 1700 cases were reported worldwide.  Just four countries remain polio-endemic:  Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.  However, other nations remain at risk for infections "imported"  from the endemic country.  The end of polio is in our sites.