$1.9 Billion Pledged to Eradicate Polio Worldwide

Global leaders, charitable foundations, and partners in global health pledged $1.9 billion toward the complete eradication of polio during a gathering in Abu Dhabi.

According to a statement by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), this amount includes nearly $1.2 billion in new pledges, which will reduce the remaining funding gap in the GPEI’s 2022–2029 strategic plan to $440 million.

This funding is expected to help vaccinate 370 million children annually and strengthen health systems in polio-affected countries.

Financial Contributions Announced by Donors and Countries:

• $1.2 billion from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• $140 million from the Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation
• $450 million from Rotary International
• $100 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies
• $154 million from Pakistan
• $62 million from Germany
• $46 million from the United States
• $6 million from Japan
• $4 million from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America
• $3 million from Luxembourg

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, stated: “We are on the verge of eradicating polio and achieving a historic victory for humanity. But we need all countries, partners, and donors to step up now and help complete the job.”

Dr. Sayed Abdullah Ahmadi said: “Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Ministries of Health need a well-organized and effective plan to deliver polio vaccines to individuals and children in remote areas where vaccination is essential.”

Afghanistan remains one of the two countries where children are still at risk of contracting polio. Doctors emphasize that, along with funding and vaccination campaigns, raising public awareness must be prioritized.

Dr. Madad Khan Danishwar told : “Besides emphasizing vaccination, we must also work on public awareness. People’s perceptions of polio need to change so they are willing to allow vaccinators to immunize their children.”

Arefa, a healthcare worker, said: “Since this disease causes paralysis in children, greater investment is needed in this area, and mothers in particular need more awareness.”

Last year, the World Health Organization reported over 20 confirmed cases of polio in Afghanistan—an allegation rejected by the Ministry of Public Health. However, Afghanistan has not yet been officially declared polio-free.