In brief

Monaco against poliomyelitis: over a million euros raised

polio
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus is transmitted from one person to another mainly via the faecal-oral route - © WHO

What is commonly known as “polio” is still rife, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

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The “Monaco Appeal” for a polio-free world took place on Monday 5 June, 2023. Nearly $5 billion are needed to eradicate the virus, which mainly affects children under the age of 5. Rotary International is counting on its generous donors to raise the sum, which will enable 400 million vaccinations to be carried out every year between now and 2026.

Among its most prominent supporters is Prince Albert II, who is particularly concerned about the issue. This is why the organisation’s directors decided to launch the appeal for donations, dubbed the “Monaco Appeal”, in the Principality, and specifically from the Prince’s Palace. The Sovereign and the President of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones, who was in Monaco for a few days, spoke to governments, charitable institutions and civil society.

The Rotary representatives were also received at Monaco Town Hall by the Mayor, Georges Marsan, and then by the President of the National Council, Brigitte Boccone-Pagès at the end of the day, to raise awareness of the issue with all stakeholders.

A successful charity evening

A charity evening followed, with the club managing to raise over 100,000 euros, bringing the total for regional initiatives carried out since the end of November to just over one million euros. A number of key figures were present, including Michel Zaffran, Director of the WHO’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Even though, in just a few decades, we have gone from 35,000 cases to just a few per year worldwide, we must remember that the disease still kills or paralyses infected children. The vaccination campaign must therefore continue. A campaign which, as you will have understood, relies on financial support.