Photograph: The devastating effect of polio. The virus attacks the nervous system causing paralysis and, in some cases, death.
Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) is deeply concerned and saddened about the sudden increase of polio cases which have been discovered in flood hit areas of Pakistan.
The figures, from colleagues at UNICEF and WHO, show a 26% rise and 88 cases of the disease, compared with this time last year when there were 62 cases.
When the floods hit, Rotarians immediately held fundraisers to help provide immediate relief through the many Rotary supported rapid response boxes such as Aquabox, Water Survival Box and ShelterBox. Now there are fears that diseases are emerging.
Rotarians everywhere work throughout the year to raise funds for End Polio Now. Here in Great Britain and Ireland, Rotary clubs are organising activities and fundraisers for the national campaign, Thanks for Life, which involves communities everywhere, all with the aim of helping to eradicate the disease for good.
In 1985, Rotary International made the promise to wipe out the polio virus for good. Since then, thanks to fundraising, administering polio vaccines and education, the number of cases has fallen dramatically. An estimated 5 million children have been saved from this crippling and sometimes fatal disease.
If you would like to know more about Thanks for Life or would like to make a donation to the End Polio Now campaign, please visit our How to Donate page.
