Supporting the security concept in the fight against polio

completed

In 1988, the international community agreed to eradicate polio. Between 1988 and 2012, the number of infections was reduced from 350,000 to 223 cases per year. At the same time, the number of endemic countries fell from 125 to three, including Nigeria. However, the battle to eradicate polio has not yet been won. Against this background, in 2012 the WHO gave the fight against polio in the last countries the highest level of urgency. In order to stop the transmission of the virus in the last three remaining endemic countries (Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan), the WHO and UNICEF developed a global strategy under the umbrella of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). With regard to Nigeria, this strategy also includes extensive measures to improve the safety of those involved in preparing and carrying out vaccination campaigns. The FC-funded programme aims to contribute to the global eradication of polio by eradicating the polio virus nationwide in Nigeria (contribution to MDG 4). The FC funds are used for safety measures under the Nigeria Polio Eradication Emergency Plan 2014 (NPEEP). The direct target group is all those involved in the preparation and implementation of vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. The general target group is all children under the age of five in high-risk areas who will have access to polio vaccinations thanks to the funded safety measures. The programme provides EUR 5 million to finance safety measures. This funding is complementary to Polio Programme Phase VI, which finances the implementation of vaccination campaigns in 2014/15. Given the fragile security situation in the high-risk areas, it is intended to disburse the FC funds as early as possible, i.e. from mid-2014, in parallel with the deployment of Phase VI funds, in order to increase the overall efficiency of the use of FC funds. The FC program funds will be paid directly to WHO and UNICEF.