A total of over US$ 23 million to made available in 2021

  • The UAE support will contribute to the yearly operational costs needed to protect approximately 16 million children under five years from polio in the 84 highest-risk districts of Pakistan and provide personal protective equipment for front-line workers
  • UAE is the main funder and a long-time supporter of the polio eradication programme having provided US$ 200 million since 2014
  • Pakistan reported a 98 percent decline in cases over the past six months

 

Islamabad, 24 July 2021 - The World Health Organization, on behalf of the Polio Eradication Initiative, announced today that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made available a total of US$ 23 million funding for polio campaigns and around US$ 376 000 for the procurement of frontline worker personal protective equipment for protection against COVID-19 in 84 highest-risk districts. This funding and donation are to be utilized between January to December 2021. It will enable the polio programme to keep up the momentum of implementing effective monthly polio campaigns targeting 16 million children in the highest-risk districts of Pakistan. From 2014, UAE has contributed over US$ 200 million to polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.  

Speaking on behalf of the Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Dr Palitha Mahipala, WHO Representative thanked UAE for their generous contribution. “UAE has firmly stood by the polio programme with vital yearly contributions and responding to pleas for extra funding to address unforeseen challenges such as COVID-19. With their steadfast commitment to the shared goal of polio eradication, we can further strengthen our efforts to protect children from lifelong paralysis. This would not be possible without their support.”

Pakistan has reported only one wild polio case in the first six months of the year. This is a significant decrease, over 98%, compared to 59 cases during the same point in time last year. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to getting the country to zero wild polio in the coming months. To be certified as polio-free, Pakistan is required to report that there were no children affected by the wild poliovirus over a period of three years.

UAE continues its role through their Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE-PAP) to ensure that further gains can be made where it is needed the most. The “Initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Eradicate Polio Globally,” the “Emirates Polio Campaign,” has been instrumental in driving on-the-ground eradication gains and efforts within the most vulnerable communities in Pakistan. In 2020, UAE-PAP support ensured close to 16 million children under five years received protection through repeated polio campaigns - under the name “Emirates Polio Campaign” - and all frontline workers in 84 districts received personal protective equipment and training to facilitate protection from COVID-19.

The Director of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Program, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Khalifa Alghfeli, praised the humanitarian approach and the generous support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. His Excellency explained that His Highness’s humanitarian initiative to eradicate polio is a major factor contributing to the elimination of the disease in the last reservoir of the virus i.e. Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"The efforts and sacrifices of the field vaccination teams, who faced difficult field conditions and dangerous challenges, greatly contribute to the success of the campaigns and reducing the spread of poliovirus in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," he added.  

Dr Shahzad Baig, National Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for polio eradication warmheartedly welcomed the UAE contribution as an important boost to ensure the programme can control the virus through door-to-door polio campaigns. “We are getting closer to our goal but this is not the time to be complacent. We are re-doubling our efforts to ensure the gains of the past don’t slip away.”

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Mr. Zulfiqar Babakhel

Media Manager - NEOC

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Telephone: 0345-9165937