End Polio Now

Since 1985, Rotary’s key humanitarian priority has been to rid the world of polio. Rotary spearheaded the global campaign to eradicate the disease and thanks to the incredible advocacy, fundraising and volunteering efforts of Rotarians, we are on the brink of making this happen.

What is polio?

Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It attacks the nervous system, and in some instances, leads to paralysis or even death. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine protecting children worldwide.

Rotary's commitment and progress to date.

In 1985, Rotary pledged to rid the world of polio. Rotary led the campaign at a time when there were over 1,000 polio cases a day in 125 countries. Today, the number of cases is down by 99.99%.

Over the last 35 years, Rotary members, working with communities around the world, have contributed more than US$2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the fight to end polio.

Inspired in part by Rotary’s volunteer commitment and fundraising success, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988.

The partnership now includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention and, more recently, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and GAVI the Vaccine Alliance. These organisations work alongside governments of the world to end polio.

Because of the efforts of Rotary and our partners, nearly 19 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking, and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died. Rotary, along with our partners in the GPEI, remain totally committed to making polio just the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

Please Donate to End Polio Now and help Rotary make the final steps to eradicating polio from the world.

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