Polio Numbers This Year

Rotarians:

So far this year, 32 cases in Pakistan and 2 in Afghanistan.

 

You may have seen some information on Rotary’s plans (with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative) to take quick action and utilize our systems, personnel and labs to address the Covid-19 pandemic.  While monitoring for polio virus will continue, I understand that there will be no door to door immunization programs while the Covid-19 crisis is being addressed.  This is a VERY fluid situation, and expect to see changes in the programs and approaches as the current pandemic unfolds.

 

For those of you involved in grants in your districts, please check with your DGs for information just released by The Rotary Foundation on special rules being implemented for local use of DDF for Covid-19 response, as well as global grant conditions changes which will eliminate the 30% foreign funding requirement for global grants to Covid-19 projects.  These programs are also still in the final stages of being developed, so there may be additional conditions and adjustments before they are “finalized.”

PLEASE NOTE that neither Rotary nor the GPEI are abandoning polio eradication efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic response.  I’m certain that if hotspots of polio turn up, we will have a strong and immediate response.

 

Please also use this crisis as a reminder of the power of The Rotary Foundation, and of the importance – especially now – of supporting TRF and the Polio Plus fund as much as is possible during these troubling times.  Rotarians are well-suited to respond to events like the current Covid-19 crisis, and we should demonstrate that we are People of Action, whether by specific community activities or support of our foundation.

 

Be safe, be well and let’s all remind ourselves of our commitment to Service Above Self.

--Ken