Rotary International has announced a $14 million pledge to bolster polio eradication efforts in Nigeria, the Voice of Nigeria reports.

The funding will support the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing technical assistance to the Nigerian government in polio surveillance and in combatting all forms of polioviruses, particularly the circulating variant poliovirus (cVPV2). Over the past decade, Rotary has made contributions of more than $1.5 billion in support of polio eradication efforts, including substantial funding for Nigeria.

“The collaborative efforts of the Nigerian government, WHO, and other partners, coupled with Rotary’s unwavering support, continue to sustain the ‘Zero Wild Polio’ status since 2016,” said Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO country representative in Nigeria. “However, challenges persist, particularly with the circulation of cVPVD2 [circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2] in some states of the North-West zone….WHO, as the implementing partner for polio funding, will deploy resources strategically to eradicate polio, support nationwide surveillance activities, and enhance health systems’ resilience against emerging health threats.”

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