In February 2025, a polio vaccination campaign took place in Pakistan, where over 400,000 frontline health workers visited homes to vaccinate 45.4 million children under 5. This film follows the campaign in Muree, a mountainous area, and Mithi, a vast desert, showcasing the time and effort it takes to be able to reach children through tough terrain, especially in remote areas.
Polio is a deadly viral disease that was once the leading cause of paralysis among children worldwide. Thankfully, we have never been closer to eradicating the disease. Since 1988, the number of children affected by polio has reduced by 99.9 per cent, thanks to partners like Rotary International and Rotarians around the world.
Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion to UNICEF and countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than 3 billion children in 122 countries. Every year, UNICEF continues to help vaccinate over 400 million children globally against polio. Support from Rotary has allowed UNICEF to supply safe vaccines to countries all over the world and engage with local communities to build trust and confidence in the polio vaccine among mothers, fathers, and other caregivers.
End Polio Now
Polio remains endemic in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks. The world has never been so close to eradication and UNICEF and Rotary won’t stop until every child is protected from this preventable disease.
In these countries, alongside several countries fighting polio outbreaks in Africa, UNICEF and its partners are also providing integrated health, nutrition, education and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services at points of polio vaccinations.
Rotarians: People of Action
There are over 45,000 Rotary clubs across more than 200 countries and geographical areas. In nearly every country where there is a Rotary club, UNICEF is also present, allowing both organizations to collaborate closely to address the world’s most pressing issues. More than 1 million Rotary members have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotarians work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotary members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to engage communities, including families in the hardest-to-reach areas. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support, which are critical to helping eradicate this disease for good.
“Rotary is one of our strongest partners, and we are grateful for the steadfast support to UNICEF’s polio eradication efforts. Contributions from Rotary and its members over the past three decades have contributed significantly towards UNICEF’s procurement and distribution of over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines annually, accounting for more than 50 per cent of global oral polio vaccines.” – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
About Rotary International
Rotary International is a global civil society organization, headquartered in the United States, that brings together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working towards a polio-free world.
Rotary has been a critical partner of UNICEF since 1988, when Rotary, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
The Rotary Foundation helps fund humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives conducted by Rotary members and their partners. Clubs and districts can apply for grants from the Foundation to invest in projects and provide scholarships. The Foundation leads the charge on worldwide Rotary campaigns such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Rotarians and friends of Rotary support the Foundation’s work through voluntary contributions.