It is with deep concern we have heard that the UK government has decided to withdraw its financial support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
This is difficult news, particularly at a moment when the world is closer than ever to ending polio for good.
Rotary International pioneered the campaign to eradicate polio four decades ago. Our members have given huge amounts of financial, volunteering and advocacy support to this endeavour, and we remain fully committed to the task of eradicating polio as our organisation’s number one humanitarian goal.
Alongside our partners, we have helped immunise more than 3 billion children against polio in 122 countries, prevented over 20 million cases of paralysis and reduced the number of polio cases by 99.9%.
That is extraordinary progress.
The GPEI depends on financial support that enables the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to maintain their actions on the ground around the world. Even prior to the UK’s announced budget reduction, the GPEI was forced to reduce its 2026 budget by almost 30% compared to 2025 as a result of reduced global health funding from major donors. The decision by the United Kingdom to stop providing funds to the GPEI after 2026 puts at risk the great efforts that have been made over the last 40 years to improve the health and wellbeing of children across the world.
The UK Government has said it will continue to support WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, while ending direct funding for GPEI. We recognise the importance of those wider health investments but also know that polio eradication remains urgent.
We are at a critical stage in the campaign to eradicate polio, infection numbers in Pakistan and Afghanistan are very low, but this is a result of great efforts on the ground in these last two endemic countries. Pakistan has 400,000 people working in vaccination teams, and in Afghanistan teams are working street by street in cities, towns and villages to ensure that every child is reached.
Conflict between the two countries has put vaccination teams at further risk but still the effort to vaccinate goes on. A recent drive in Pakistan inoculated 45 million children.
Loss of financial support for the eradication campaign could have dire consequences, with direct implications for every country, every community, every family around the world.
Last year, traces of the polio virus were found across Europe. In January this year, traces were found in wastewater in London. Failure to eliminate the polio virus in Pakistan and Afghanistan would open the door to new outbreaks in countries where the virus was eliminated.
We cannot afford to be complacent, and we cannot afford to give up.
This is a moment for renewed resolve and action. Please keep raising awareness, strengthening advocacy and supporting End Polio Now in your club, hub and community.
We have come too far, achieved too much and changed too many lives to stop now. Let us stand together, stay determined and finish the job.
James Carmichael, Rotary GB&I End Polio Now Coordinator
Amanda Watkin, Rotary GB&I Chief Executive Officer
Heather Stuart, Rotary GB&I Chair of the Board
You can read the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s statement on their website.
Ways you can support
- Donate and fundraise – You can donate to the End Polio Now campaign online, with £1 becoming £3.75 with Gift Aid and Gates Foundation matching.
- Raise awareness – Visit the End Polio Now website to download videos, graphics and social media messages.
- Share our statement on social media – You can find our public statement on our website, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)
- Contact the Rotary GB&I End Polio Now Team – Your team of James Carmichael, Jannine Birtwistle and Tom Hunt are here to support your plans.