Rotary International and Global Poverty Project support Global Polio Eradication Initiative

WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

Thanks to global efforts, polio has been reduced by 99.9% since 1988. The world stands on the brink of eradication in the next few years, with the chance to make polio only the second ever human disease to be eradicated.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the international partnership that coordinates eradication efforts, needs more than $1b a year to help achieve this goal, with funding coming from a wide range of people, non-profits, philanthropists and governments, including USA.

HOW DID GLOBAL CITIZENS RESPOND?

The United States Government is working hard to cut the deficit, and there’s a risk that they might cut their contribution to global polio eradication efforts, which in 2014 totalled $205 million for polio eradication.?

Global citizens have been campaigning on polio in the USA since 2012, and over the past 12 months more than 34,000 actions have been taken.

Global Poverty Project works closely with partners like Rotary International and regularly gives presentations to Rotary Clubs across the country. We've also partnered with Rotarians in Seattle to work together on grassroots campaigning. Together, we'll be hosting a High-Level Roundtable Discussion about polio for members of the House and the Senate in April 2014.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Thanks to the work of global citizens, the United States Government has increased its financial commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative! The FY2014 budget for polio includes an increase of $54.2 million, of 36%, from the funding allocated to polio eradication programs in the previous year! Leaders like Senator Collins, Senator Kirk, and Senator Durbin have acknowledged the role of global citizens and Global Poverty Project in reaching this incredible milestone!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

In early March, President Obama released his FY2015 budget request, including small cuts to global health programs. It is essential that global citizens keep up the momentum and urge the United States Government to continue providing key funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Global citizens will continue to keep the pressure on Congressional leaders to support all efforts to eradicate polio, ensuring that the United States continues to play a leadership role in ridding the world of polio forever.