Somalia regains polio-free status

In a triumph over violence, poverty and poor infrastructure, Somalia has once again become polio-free. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has announced that the East African nation hasn't reported a case of the disease since 2007. Although Somalia eradicated the virus in 2002, it became re-infected in 2005.

Innovative approaches tailored to conflict areas were pivotal in conquering polio in Somalia. More than 10,000 volunteers and health workers used several doses of monovalent vaccine to quickly immunize children in unstable areas. With strong community support, the effort reached more than 1.8 million children under age 5 across what's widely considered one of the most dangerous countries on earth. Read the full story.

Indian state turns the tide against polio

  Kenyan Rotary World Peace Fellow focuses on human security

Hongo recently participated in several peace-building initiatives involving interethnic conflict in Burundi and Rwanda, resource-based tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, small-arms problems in northern Kenya and southern Sudan, and displacement and refugee issues in Kenya, Tanzania, northern Uganda and Zambia.

Read more about the Rotary Centers program.

 Rotary helps Romanian farmers feed children

Rotary clubs are doing their part to support the United Nations' work to fight hunger worldwide. Clubs in Romania and the United States have partnered with the nongovernmental organization Heifer International to deliver fresh milk from farmers to children in Romanian orphanages and hospitals.

Watch a video about this project.

Korean Rotarians help keep Mongolia green

Concerned about sandstorms emanating from the Gobi Desert, Korean Rotarians have undertaken a massive effort to build a natural windbreak forest in Mongolia. The forest is already reducing sand particles that could otherwise travel for hundreds of miles, causing health and environmental damage.

The five-year Keep Mongolia Green project recently received a US$350,000 push from a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant for its latest phase, which involved Korean and Mongolian Rotarians teaming up with government agencies and local residents to plant 52,000 trees.

Read more about their efforts.

Rotary International president to be honored at 2008 Vision Awards

Community center provides jobs for special-needs adults in Czech Republic

Rotary invites the public to join the fight against polio

Rotary has invited the general public to participate in a special fundraising drive to help end polio. Contributions will benefit the organization's effort to match a US$100 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $200 million will support polio eradication activities.

In a "mini" Web site, www.rotary.org/endpolio, Rotary urges members of the public "to become part of history by donating to the global effort to wipe out the crippling disease polio."