Bangalore, May 13 (UNI) Fighting against crippling disease polio and hunger across the globe will remain thrust areas for Rotary International, to work with, its President-elect Mr Wilfred J Wilkinson, said today.
Mr Wilfred, who is currently on tour of India and other Asian countries and would assume office in July, said that Rotary International would also play a major role in reaching out to the people of Africa who are suffering from shortage of food, medicine and illiteracy.
He said that Rotary International, which had lent its cooperation to the world bodies including WHO and other nations in the massive eradication of polio across the world had succeeded in its mission.
Polio, which was once a dreaded disease, has been reduced to only three countries from over 122, in the world. Only few cases of polio were reported from India, Pakistan and Nigeria. Rotary international had spent over USD 800 million across the globe in fighting polio, he added.
The African countries which have other problems including that of illiteracy, hunger and HIV however successful in total eradication of polio in their continent.
He said that Rotary International can also take up environmental related issues including creating awareness against global warming through its massive network in over 170 countries.
UNI