Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, and we’ve made incredible progress in the fight to rid the world of it forever. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. On October 24th at 3:00 PM, the Rotary Clubs of Mississauga members met with City Councillors and Rotary District officials to celebrate and raise the Polio Plus Flag at City Hall. Councillor, Brad Butt, and a Rotarian highlighted the work Rotary has done to eradicate Polio worldwide as well as our work with the United Nations. Rotary was instrumental in setting up the United Nations from its inception.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years, and we’ve made incredible progress in the fight to rid the world of it forever. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've helped to reduced polio cases by more than 99.9 percent. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more that $10 billion to the effort.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.