Developing Countries: Polio
International Development
Tony Cunningham (Workington, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to close the financing gap affecting implementation of the World Health Organisation's plans for polio eradication in 2012-13.
Alan Duncan (Minister of State, International Development; Rutland and Melton, Conservative)
The Department for International Development (DFID)
works closely with the global polio eradication initiative (GPEI)
spearheading partners, other bilateral donors and foundations backing
polio eradication to generate additional financial support by broadening
the donor base, for example focussing on the G8, the G20 our European
partners and the private sector.
DFID has pledged £20 million to the GPEI in 2012-13. A further £20 million resulting from the Prime Minister's
January 2011 announcement, doubling UK support for 2011 and 2012 each
year, will be released once others match the challenge which he set.
Last year the UK's £40 million helped fully immunise over 45 million children. DFID is considering its support for 2013.
