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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Remarks of Ambassador Harriet Babbitt, USAID Deputy Administrator
at the Rotary International Congressional Reception
May 19, 1999
Thank you, Dr. Slager
For me, one of the special joys of working at USAID is to be part of the worldwide campaign to eradicate polio. I remember children in my elementary school classes with withered limbs. And I remember when the first polio immunizations lifted the shadow that hung over the summers of every American child -- and how many, many years passed before we eradicated polio in this country.
Long before I came to USAID, I watched the extraordinary difference this campaign made as Latin America was freed from polio. Lately, I have been involved in precautionary efforts to begin polio immunizations in the camps for refugees fleeing Kosovo. I rejoice as the day draws closer when we reach the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
Child survival and disease prevention are major focuses of USAID, and polio eradication is a high priority for our agency.
Through its polio eradication effort, "Rotary clubs around the world have redefined the concept of public service for civic organizations."
I want to express my deep appreciation to Rotary International and to the members of Congress who have done so much over the years to bring us to this point. Thanks to those who are receiving awards today and to others in Congress over the years. Thanks to sustained Congressional support, USAID's investment in this campaign will pass the $100 million mark early in the next fiscal year.
The grants USAID makes to WHO and UNICEF directly support country activities, but our agency's involvement goes far beyond funding. We provide research, increased training capacity and technical assistance that is filling information gaps and improving strategies -- and we are reaching more children.
USAID is the largest external donor supporting National Immunization Days and surveillance in many countries that remain reservoirs of the polio virus -- such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, and Bangladesh.
We provide critical resources in other important target countries like India for the people who are hardest to reach.
USAID is also the largest external donor to the LABNET -- a network of more than 100 accredited national and regional laboratories providing the critical confirmation of whether or not a paralyzed child has polio.
In 1998, USAID expanded its polio partnership. We signed an agreement with a consortium of 32 U.S.-based private voluntary organizations working in 140 countries, known as the CORE Group to increase community participation in the polio campaign.
Also, under the auspices of the U.S.-Japan Common Agenda, the U.S. Peace Corps and Japans' Overseas Cooperation Volunteers have agreed to participate in polio eradication activities in target countries where they work.
We are building a culture of disease prevention, improved immunization programs and strengthened health systems.
Throughout history, conflict has bred disease. Indeed, disease often seems to be the only thing that thrives in war's chaos and destruction. But even in the midst of war, we have continued to make progress in polio eradication.
Last August, conflict broke out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- just one week before national immunization days were scheduled to take place.
The vaccine was already in place and everyone was poised for action when fighting made the countryside unsafe for health workers and volunteers.
International organizations were forced to evacuate their personnel and national immunization days had to be postponed.
At great personal risk, Michel Othepa, a local consultant hired by the USAID-funded BASICS project, dodged security forces and checkpoints to make sure the vaccine was secure and fuel was available for the generators that kept the vaccine refrigerated.
Because of his bravery, the cold chain was maintained until the situation stabilized. Immunization days were conducted in January and 3.5 million children -- 91 percent of those eligible in the five accessible provinces -- were immunized.
We will continue to work toward the day when we can reach ALL Congolese children -- and no child anywhere is threatened by polio. USAID is committed to eradicating polio by the year 2000 or shortly thereafter, and to assuring that all regions of the world can be certified polio-free by 2005.
When this terrible disease is finally eradicated, it will be because of the courage of people like Michel Othepa, the untiring dedication of millions of Rotary volunteers and the remarkable eradication coalition -- and the commitment of key members of Congress to this cause.
So often, when we speak of people being human, we are talking about their weaknesses and failings. Yet, even as ethnic cleansing and hate killings dominate the news, people whose names we will never know commit countless acts of courage and unselfish commitment. They remind us that disease and brutality are the real aberrations.
The extraordinary achievements of those who have carried out and supported this polio eradication campaign demonstrate what it REALLY means to be human.
Thank you.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
