GLOBAL NETWORK
Over
1.2m
members
Across
200
Countries
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We apply our professional experience and personal commitment to tackle our communities’ most persistent problems, finding new, effective ways to enhance health, stability, and prosperity across the globe.
We collaborate with community leaders who want to get to work on projects that have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives.
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ERADICATING POLIO WORLD-WIDE
Reduced cases by
99.9%
Over
35 Yrs
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.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've helped to reduced polio cases by more than 99.9 percent.
It’s crucial to eradicate polio from the last two countries where it remains endemic and 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.
'Polio was the Covid of its day, in the 20th century. You may remember the rows of iron lungs to keep folk breathing as paralysis spread. In 2024, for the first time, no cases have been found BUT until we have 2 years clear, worldwide, the immunisation programme goes on. Rotary spearheaded the fight to eradicate it, joined by the World Health Organisation and many others. In the Indian sub continent children still have to be vaccinated. Rotarians raise funds, much helped by the Gates Foundation. Do watch this video below this box and see how you can help, if you are able.'
Purple for Polio, represented by the planting of purple crocuses, is the name of our campaign. Why? Children in India have their fingertip dipped in purple dye as proof of being vaccinated. Worldwide, polio cases have dropped 99% since the launch of our fight in 1985. But recent traces of poliovirus in the USA and the UK are ‘a disturbing reminder that until polio is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat everywhere,’ said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus recently.
It has taken years of fundraising influencing and working with partners such as the World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation to provide help on the ground.
Ade Adepitan gives us his personal experience of contracting Polio and how Rotary have helped prevent others from being infected around the world .
Ade Adepitan Shares His Story
