In 1985, Rotary launched the PolioPlus program to protect children worldwide from the cruel and fatal consequences of polio. In 1988, the World Health Assembly challenged the world to eradicate polio. Since that time, Rotary's efforts and those of partner agencies, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and governments around the world, have achieved a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide.
Rotarians stand at the brink of a great victory and look forward to celebrating the global eradication of polio.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has launched a partnership with Mercy Ships, to bring health care to those who have no access to medical treatment, and to assist disadvantaged communities through sustainable development projects. The completion of the latest and largest ship to be added to the fleet, the Africa Mercy, will enable Mercy Ships to impact many more lives every year. Rotary Clubs hopes to equip the Ophthalmic Operating Theatre by donations and volunteers to serve on the ships. The ophthalmic theatre will cost in the region of £750,000 and will enable thousands more life-transforming operations each year. The former ferry is undergoing substantial conversion work in Newcastle and is scheduled to sail to Ghana in spring 2006 on a mission of mercy. By working together, Rotary and Mercy Ships will have an enormous impact on the lives of many thousands of people.

Aqua Box Scheme

These are provided by the Rotary Club of the UK and sent to needy areas and emergency situations. Each box is initially filled with other relief items before being dispatched from the UK.
When the box is emptied of its supplies it is fitted with a water filter that cleans up to 20 refills of water from questionable river or stream supplies. Although this is not a permanent solution it does at least provide clean drinking water for immediate use. Filters are replaced as and when required.

Shelter Box Scheme

As its name suggests, a Rotary Shelter Box is a survival kit that typically contains a tent, sleeping bags, water purifying tablets, candles, rope, shovel, windup flashlight, cooking pans, and other essential tools and equipment for ten survivors. Each Shelter Box costs on average £490.00. The Rotary Shelter Boxes will provide a temporary roof for homeless families, in addition to furnishing the basics to help them start their lives over.
Rotary Clubs fund these boxes which when purchased are held centrally, then in the event of a disaster, the boxes are immediately shipped to the required destination and provide immediate survival facilities for 10 people each box.

Hope and Homes for Children

Every 14 seconds AIDS turns a child into an orphan and almost 20 million of these children live in sub saharan Africa.
We are supporting people with HIV and families who have lost parents through AIDS. Our work keeps families together, and in the case of a parent with HIV, we help to make plans and provision for their children. We are helpng to avoid the alternative - children without homes or schools, forced into begging, crime or prostitution in order to survive; and confused because all the adults in their life are dead. Rotary has raised over £445,000 for this cause.