Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – World leaders have pledged US$1.9 billion to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative,
This gives a vital boost to efforts to protect 370 million children from the disease each year.
These pledges were made at an event hosted by the Mohammed bin Zayed Humanitarian Impact Foundation during Abu Dhabi Financial Week.
This support comes at a critical time, as the initiative, which involves the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation, faces challenges.
A significant funding gap of $1.7 billion through 2029, with its budget expected to decrease by 30% in 2026.
The gap narrows to $440 million
The new pledges should reduce the remaining funding gap in the Global Initiative strategy.
To eradicate polio for the period 2022-2029, the amount needed is only $440 million.
The pledges came from a diverse group of donors, including:
Gates Foundation: $1.2 billion over the next four years.
Rotary International: $450 million.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said:
“The new support pledged in Abu Dhabi will be important,
This is to help the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reach all children in countries,
In which the disease is still endemic, and outbreaks of mutated polio strains have been halted worldwide.”
Aid declines and the challenge of the virus
The previous funding shortfall was largely attributed to the global decline in foreign aid.
This is led by the United States, which withdrew from the World Health Organization.
In addition, other donor governments such as Germany and Britain have reduced their financial contributions.
The partners are facing increasing challenges, especially after the Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases in Germany announced last Wednesday,
He detected the original structure of the poliovirus in sewage samples.
In response to this situation, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative intends
Greater focus on monitoring and vaccination activities in high-risk areas.
UN relief funding declines
The announcement of the polio eradication package coincides with a general decline in funding for relief efforts provided by UN agencies.
The United Nations has appealed for an aid budget equal to half of what it had hoped for next year.
She acknowledged that reduced support forced her to prioritize only those “most in need”.
This comes at a time when humanitarian needs have reached record levels.
