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PolioPlus Updates 2002 RI presents Netherlands minister with polio award Rotary International on 7 May presented Netherlands Development Cooperation Minister Eveline Herfkens with the Polio Eradication Champion Award in recognition of her involvement and leadership in securing US$110 million in contributions from the Netherlands government to support poliovirus surveillance and response activities. Presented by Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman Luis Giay, the award was established in 1995 to recognize world leaders who have made outstanding contributions toward the goal of global polio eradication. "On behalf of our 1.2 million Rotary volunteers worldwide, I am honored to give this award in recognition of the ongoing support of polio eradication by the government of the Netherlands," said Giay. "As we stand on the brink of victory over polio, contributions like this are urgently needed as a funding gap and current world instability threaten our ability to vaccinate every child by 2005." "I am greatly honored to receive this award from Rotary
International, the very organization that sparked this global effort and
which remains so focused on achieving its goal of a polio-free world,"
said Herfkens. "The Netherlands is committed to continuing its support
of eradicating polio, an
Herfkens received the award at the residence of Dirk Jan van den Berg, the permanent representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations. The ceremony was attended by some 70 members of the Netherlands delegation, high-ranking dignitaries from UNICEF, WHO, CDC, and other health agencies. The number of representatives from these organizations was significant and demonstrated their firm support for Rotary. Other leaders who have been honored with Rotary's Polio
Eradication Champion Award include former U.S. President Bill Clinton,
former U.K. Prime Minister John Major,Egypt's First Lady Suzanne Mubarak,
Nigerian President Olusegun
May 2002
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