On Sat 18th April 2026, the Rotary South Pacific put on their 2nd webinar of the Series, “Inside the Fight” regarding the End Polio Now endeavour, our key Rotary International health and humanitarian focus. Past Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer (Canada), having just returned from Nigeria with the Strategy Committee of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, shared some insights on managing potential Type 2 Polio outbreaks in Nigeria. They are currently consulting with their incoming Government and their priorities to continue funding the immunisation of children and prevent any setbacks. This is standard process in developing National Immunisation Days. Similarly, efforts are put into working with local regions and communities, including cultural elders and community leaders, to ensure the minimisation of missing immunisation of any children by absence, inaccessibility and/or cultural appropriateness, as well as trust building with families and children in the lead up to that immunisation drop in their mouth.More broadly, 3 billion children have been immunised since 1988 with Polio cases currently only existing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Down to 2 countries from 125 countries in 1988. At this point, $US 3.1 billion donated by Rotary members with matching funds by the Gates Foundation. Funds are also held in a flexible, accessible fund in case of any outbreaks in following years. What has more recently become available in Australia and other countries outside of North America is the Polio Plus Society, with Membership entailing a written commitment to donate a minimum $100 USD per year. There is a form to complete and send to our District 9640 Polio Plus Chair, Gillian Reeves. Refer to the links for (a) an information sheet about the Polio Plus Society, (b) the commitment form and Gillian’s details at the bottom and (c) instructions on how to set up the donation via your My Rotary account (see Download Files). I’ve done the process so feel free to ask.
Elizabeth Celi
Foundation Director
Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise Inc