Partnership for Polio Eradication Project Supplemental Credit

closed

The Partnership for Polio Eradication Project is part of a multi-country program, intended to achieve Poliomyelitis eradication by 2005. However, in 2003-2004, wild polio cases increased in Kano, and throughout northern Nigeria, spread to other Nigerian states, and reappeared in countries that had struggled for years to eliminate it. Because of the increase in wild polio cases, the eradication campaign for Nigeria desperately needs to be intensified, and several extra supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) need to be organized, as recommended, and additional oral polio vaccine (OPV) is still required to cover the needs for 2005 and 2006. The proposed supplemental credit is consistent with the original project development objective, and meets the requirement on supplemental financing, in compliance with the Articles of Agreement, and it is therefore recommended to approve this supplemental financing.