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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Remarks by J. Brady Anderson,
Rotary International/Polio Reception
USAID Administrator
May 17, 2000
Thank you, and good evening.
USAID has been working to combat polio for over 20 years now, and during that time we have had the pleasure of working with many of the people here today:
Senators Stevens, Leahy, Harkin, Cochran and Specter and Congressmen Callahan, Porter, Pelosi, Dickey and Bonilla, whose dedication to children's health makes our work possible;
My colleagues Carol Bellamy from UNICEF, Dr. Henderson, formerly of the World Health Organization, and Dr. Orenstein from the Centers for Disease Control, are some of USAID's most valued partners;
Dr. Satcher, Tim Wirth, and of course Dr. Slager and Chairman-Elect Brown, from Rotary International. Herb, it's good to see you again.
As you all know, we are here today to celebrate the progress we have made towards eradicating one of the most devastating diseases the world has ever seen.
Although America has been polio-free for many years, some of us still remember the images of this disease from our childhood-the leg braces, the crutches.
We remember summers when swimming pools were closed and movie theaters were shuttered.
I-and many other people my age-were fortunate. We were among the first generation of Americans to receive the polio vaccine.
We were able to live our lives free from the fear of contracting this debilitating disease.
Today, that is our wish for all the world's children.
In 1988, there were over 350,000 cases of polio in the world.
Today, there are only about 7,000. Seven thousand.
Total eradication is within our grasp.
These numbers show what can happen when people all over the world-NGOs and governments, professionals and volunteers-work together towards a common goal.
The polio eradication initiative has truly been a team effort-the most successful public-private partnership in international health history.
But if one star shines brighter than the rest, it is that of Rotary International, which, in 1985, launched the "Polio Plus" program.
Rotary International has raised nearly half a billion dollars for this cause, which is an extraordinary amount for any group, but even more so for a volunteer organization.
I recently learned of two young Rotarians in the Netherlands-they built an amphibious bicycle and rode it across the English Channel, raising over $200,000.
But most of the resources Rotary pulled together came from everyday people attending pancake breakfasts, raffles, benefit concerts and walk-a-thons.
Which is why we can say that the men and women in 158 countries who are helping to eradicate polio truly exemplify Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self."
USAID is proud to be a part of this effort.
Last month, we submitted our most recent Polio Report to Congress, which describes just how closely we work with our Polio Partners.
I mentioned earlier that we've been working for over 20 years to combat polio.
We helped lead the eradication effort in Central and Latin America; as a result, these regions were certified polio-free in 1994.
We continue to immunize children from the biggest cities of India to the most remote villages of Africa.
Even in the midst of war, USAID helped immunize over eight million children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In fact, last year USAID helped immunize over 470 million children in 87 countries.
And we have played a major role in creating stronger surveillance systems, which are critical not only to fighting polio, but also other infectious diseases.
We are near the end of our fight, but, just like climbing up a mountain, those last few steps are the hardest.
As all of you know, the challenges we face in reaching those last few reservoirs of polio are daunting: a lack of basic infrastructure, civil war, and cultural barriers-not to mention trying to keep the "cold chain" intact.
Still, our experience with smallpox has shown us that eradication is possible-we know that working together, the international community can overcome these barriers.
What a gift for future generations: a world free of polio.
Let me say again how proud I am that USAID, with Congress' support, is working with the Polio Partners to bring that world about.
Thank you all very much.
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 |
