Global Leaders Pledge $1.9 Billion to Eradicate Polio

World leaders have announced that, despite funding shortfalls, they will allocate $1.9 billion to eradicate polio. This funding aims to protect nearly 370 million children from the dangerous viral disease each year, Reuters reports.

Polio is an infectious virus that primarily affects young children. It spreads through contaminated hands, water, or food.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Gates Foundation, may face financial shortfalls in the coming years. Its budget could be cut by 30% starting in 2026, with a funding gap of $1.7 billion expected by 2029. This is due to reduced support from international donors. The U.S. has begun the process of withdrawing from the WHO, reducing its contributions, while Germany and the UK have also cut funding.

Despite this, GPEI partners plan to strengthen vaccination and monitoring in areas with a high risk of polio transmission.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that the new donor support will be crucial in reaching children in countries where polio is still present.

At a donor event in Abu Dhabi, the GPEI’s 2022–2029 budget shortfall was reduced to $440 million. The main contributors included:

• Gates Foundation — $1.2 billion
• Rotary International — $450 million