UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at the press conference on announcement of €1.08 billion in funding to advance polio eradication and strengthen healthcare systems

NEW YORK – “Good afternoon, it is good to be with you for this exciting announcement.

“Polio eradication is finally within reach, thanks to the tremendous generosity of our partners and their support for the heroic efforts of health workers and community influencers in communities around the world.

“But the progress we have made against the disease is fragile, and we cannot afford to relent in our efforts.

“For most of us, polio evokes long-ago images of iron lungs and children in braces. But for some children, the possibility of a lifetime of paralysis, or even death, is very real… and that is true even though we have had the vaccine to prevent it for decades.

“Millions of children are still missing out on this vaccination for a host of reasons: pandemic-related disruptions, conflict, climate disasters, displacement, and increasing vaccine misinformation.

“Most of these children live in the poorest and most marginalized communities with limited access to life-saving vaccination and health services. These are the places where the insidious poliovirus continues to thrive and spread.

“The funding announced by the partnership today will be critical to our efforts to finally vaccinate all of these children against polio. And, it will support the strengthening of community-based health systems, including community health workers who are on the frontlines every day.

“Ultimately, this effort can help ensure primary health care for every child everywhere.

“There are so many forces in the world which debilitate, maim, or kill children. As hard as we try, we cannot prevent all of them. But we can prevent polio. And if we can, we must.

“Thank you.”