World leaders, philanthropists and major health organizations forced a combined $1.9BN in Abu Dhabi to speed up the end of Global Polio, strengthening the UAE Health Assembly as a partner in international health efforts and humanitarian efforts.
The commitment, announced during Abu Dhabi Finance, includes approximately $1.2bn in new funding, reducing the remaining resource gap for the Global Polio Eradication strategy, (GPEI) 2022-2029 to $440m.
Hosted by the Mohamed bin Zayd Foundation for Humanity in partnership with GPEI, Investing in the world: Investing to improve vaccinating children reaching health communities in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The event was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zaysed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Mohamed Bin Zayd Fornman Foundation; Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, minister of planning and development, Pakistan; Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation; and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and central government, private and public sector leaders.
Polio War in Abu Dhabi
Pledges are emerging from a variety of world donor gatherings, including:
- $1.2bn from the gate base
- $140m from mohamed bin zayled Foundation for Humantity
- $450m from Rotary International
- $ 154 million in Pakistan
- $100m from Bloomberg Philanthropies
- $62m from Germany
- $46m from the USA
- $6M from Japan
- $4M from the Islamic Food and Health Council of America (Ifenka)
- $3M from Luxembourg
Dr Ghebreyesus said: “We are on the cusp of ending polio and achieving a historic victory for humanity. But we need all countries, more new support from Abu Dhabi will help the outbreak of all GPEIs.”
The UAE continues to play a major global role. President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zaysed Al Nahyan has committed $525m since 2011, and the Emirates Polio campaign has delivered more than 850m vaccination doses across Pakistan since 2014, focusing on remote and hard-to-reach communities.
This year’s event marks the third temporary meeting of this kind in Abu Dhabi, following a conference in 2013 and 2019 that collectively secured $6.6bn for GPEI’s work.
Sheikham Bint Mohamed Bin Zaysed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Mohamed Bin Zays Foundation for Humand, “Today’s guidance shows that Pholio-I-Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zaysed Al Nahyan, we are proud to stand Countries, donors and partners as we work hand in hand to achieve it.”
Wild poliovirus remains confined to only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – despite ongoing poliovirus outbreaks around the world.
Just when the disease paralyzed a thousand children every 125 days in 125 countries, polio is now 99 percent contained thanks to decades of cooperation in other countries.
Eliminating polio would make it only the second human disease in history to be eradicated, after smallpox. Success is estimated to save the world more than $33bn per 2,100 against the long-term costs of the outbreak response.
Bill Gates said: “The fight to end Polio shows what happens when the world invests together in a common goal.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies – a partner in the polio campaign for more than a decade and now a $325m donor – emphasized that continued commitment is essential to end the disease.
Michael R. Bloomberg said: “This new $100m in support of the Global Polio Eradication program and our partners around the world will help us get there – and help save more people from the devastating effects of this disease.”
Financial Efforts
Despite the huge benefits, Gpei warns that eradication remains a complex challenge. Wild polio has crippled 39 children in Pakistan and Afghanistan this year, while separate outbreaks continue in 18 countries.
Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary said: “Pakistan is committed to ending polio and protecting all children. Through strong advocacy and engagement for a free Pakistan and a healthy future for all.”
UNICEF Managing Director Catherine Russell stressed that the commitment of donors will help reach vulnerable children in a fragile context: “UNICEF is committed to playing our part in eradicating polio once and for all.”
Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of GAVI, the Gcognine Alliance, said: “Years of global partnerships – including the renewable energy UAE and other key supporters – are bringing us closer than ever to eradicating Polio.”
Mike McGoven, chairman of the Global Committee of PolioPlus International’s PolioPlus, “”Twenty million people are going today because of the polio vaccine, and we have learned, improved and improved along the way. “
Rem Alabali Radovan, the German military minister for economic cooperation and development, said that the strong health systems continue to complete the work, and the President of Ifanca Munir Chaudry said: “The last mile Dr. Muhammad Muhadry said:” The last mile is very cooperative, but the last roads are streir in GPEI to finish the work and build the world at the end of polio. “
