ISLAMABAD: Rotary International has provided a grant of US$9.9 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Pakistan to support the vaccination of 27 million children against polio in high-risk districts.
The partnership will reinforce the operations of the Government of Pakistan-led Polio Eradication Initiative, which conducts multiple nationwide door-to-door campaigns and sub-national drives each year, reaching over 45 million children.
Rotary is a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — a public-private partnership to eradicate polio worldwide led by national governments with six partners: WHO, Rotary International, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Unicef, Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Since the launch of Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative three decades ago, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8pc — from 20,000 cases in 1994 to 31 cases in 2025.
Globally, since 1988, the GPEI has brought down polio cases by 99.9pc. As of today, wild poliovirus type 1 remains endemic only in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to a statement, to date, Rotary has contributed US$3 billion to global polio eradication efforts and nearly US$500 million to Pakistan, along with high-level advocacy and countless volunteer hours.
“Rotary’s support is the best example of how a partnership can protect millions of lives. WHO extends its deepest appreciation to Rotary for its continuing support as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary’s long-standing commitment is crucial in our journey towards a polio-free world,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng. The Rotary grant to WHO Pakistan is part of a larger US$14.9m contribution to overall polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.
Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026
