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Rs.7 crore grant to UNICEF
The Government of Japan agreed today to extend to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) a grant assistance of Rs.7 crore (212 million yen) for the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis from India. Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged between H.E. Mr. Yasukuni Enoki, Ambassador of Japan to India, and Mr. Cecilio Adorna, Representative, UNICEF India country office, at a ceremony held in the Embassy of Japan today.
Polio Eradication Campaign in India
Polio eradication campaign is a world-wide programme to wipe out poliomyelitis from the earth.
India is one of the 4 countries (Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan) in which ‘wild’ poliovirus still remains, and is the most populous country among them. Therefore, a joint international effort is being made, involving the Government of India, UNICEF, WHO, donor countries and agencies, together with state governments and NGOs.
Japan’s Commitment
Japan has been supporting the Polio Eradication Campaign in India since 1996. The cumulative amount up to this year will reach Rs. 250 crore (7.6 billion yen).
As a result of the massive endeavour by the agencies involved, polio cases dropped to 676 cases last year. Japan reaffirms its commitment to support the UNICEF campaign to achieve zero transmission in India by the early 2008.
Utilization of the Grant
Japan’s grant will be used for the purchase of 7.5 lakh vials of oral polio vaccine.
The Target area is the north-eastern states and West Bengal.
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