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WHO Recognizes Rotary International
 Polio Programs
This is a thank you letter that I  received from the Director General of the World Health Organization recognizing Rotary International's key role in the drive to eradicate Polio as a threat to health worldwide. The members of the Culver City Rotary Club have participated directly in India and indirectly with contributions to the Rotary Foundation that funds this immunization program worldwide. In addition, members of the Culver City Rotary Club have been instrumental in the establishment of a follow on program of Polio Corrective Surgery in India and Africa that has been formally adopted by Rotary International as a program that will be promoted and funded through the Rotary Foundation. These program are currently affecting millions of children throughout the world, freeing them of the susceptibility to infection by this disabling virus.

Richard P. Schoenbaum, D.D.S.
President 
Culver City Rotary Club


WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ------
ORGANIZATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE

DirectTelephone: +41 (22)791 3078 Facsimile Direct: +41 (22) 791 4193

21 December 2001

Dear Rotary Club President,

The year 2001 has marked the United Nations International Year of Volunteers. To acknowledge this important occasion, it is my privilege on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) to recognize the contributions of Rotarians around the world to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. WHO is extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Rotary International since 1985. Rotarians have delivered vaccine, raised awareness and vital financial resources, tackling some of the greatest challenges of the Initiative.

When the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio in 1988, it was building on the tremendous humanitarian work started in 1979 when Rotary International first mobilized volunteers and governments to immunize children against polio. Since that time, Rotarians have worked tirelessly, striving to reach every child with vaccine and encouraging donor governments to provide essential financial and political support. The unyielding pursuit of this tremendous goal truly exemplifies Rotary International's motto of Service above Self

The results have been spectacular: between 1988 and 2000, the number of polio cases worldwide dropped by 99% to fewer than 3000 and the number of polio-infected countries has been reduced from 125 to 20. However, the last 1% of cases will pose our greatest challenge, requiring us to reach all children, even those in the most difficult-to-access places. The importance of Rotary's "team of 1.2 million volunteers" to polio eradication has never been more critical. We shall need to continue, and even heighten our efforts. At the end of  this race to reach the last child, we shall all be standing together at the finish line; we shall have so much to celebrate.

The progress toward global polio eradication is a testament to the reality that great feats can be achieved when people are united in a shared purpose. Rotarians around the world have united behind the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since the beginning, nobly working to provide a healthier world for our children. In this Year of Volunteers, I would like to thank you for your outstanding commitment to our global community and for providing an example to the world that positive global change through partnership is indeed possible.

Let us continue our work together so that in 2005 we may celebrate the 100'h anniversary of Rotary International by delivering a polio-free world to future generations.

Yours sincerely,

Gro Harlem Brundtland, MD, MPH

Director-General