Rotary International supports Africa with 107 million dollars

Accra (Greater Accra), 24^th January 2000

Rotary International has provided 44 African countries with 107 million dollars towards the polio immunisation effort.

A statement in Accra on Friday said the Club also contributed 340 million dollars for the protection of more than one billion children worldwide.

The statement signed by Mr. Jonathan Majiyagbe, Chairman of the Africa Plus Committee on behalf of Rotary President, Mr Carlo Ravizza, said the club's contribution would reach about 500 million dollars by 2005.

It said in addition, Rotarians served as volunteers during the exercise to have children immunised adding that "in India alone, Rotary mobilised 100,000 volunteers for national immunisation days reaching more than 130 million children".

Rotary called on all partners in the effort to "continue this momentum if we are to rid the World of this crippling disease".

It paid tribute to football heroes including Abedi Pele, George Weah, Marcel Desailly and Jay-Jay Okocha who have supported the campaign.

GRi