ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Embassy of Japan in Islamabad has announced a new grant of 3.5 million US dollars to support Pakistan’s ongoing fight against polio.
The funding will be used by the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative to purchase more than 24 million doses of oral polio vaccine for immunization drives planned in 2026.
Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world where poliovirus transmission has yet to be eliminated. So far in 2025, the country has recorded 30 cases.
To urgently address this challenge, the Government of Pakistan and its partners have formulated the National Emergency Action Plan 2025–26 under the Roadmap to Zero, aiming to end viral transmission nationwide.
Each national campaign targets over 45 million children under the age of five and involves more than 400,000 frontline health workers tasked with delivering vaccines to communities across the country.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, said the new support from Japan reflects shared commitment and solidarity. She noted that each vaccine dose funded through this partnership strengthens Pakistan’s efforts to achieve complete eradication and acknowledged Japan’s continued confidence in Pakistan’s frontline workers.
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, reaffirmed his country’s long-standing support for Pakistan’s healthcare priorities. He stated that protecting children from preventable diseases remains a vital investment for any nation and expressed Japan’s commitment to working with Pakistan, UNICEF and other partners to eliminate polio.
The newly signed grant will provide essential support for the procurement and distribution of vaccines, helping maintain progress toward stopping virus transmission and safeguarding advancements made in recent years.
Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan, emphasized that vaccines are among the most effective tools for protecting children.
He expressed confidence that the new funding will be efficiently utilized through Pakistan’s strong frontline workforce and community engagement.
UNICEF’s Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, highlighted the importance of Japan’s consistent partnership, noting that the contribution will help ensure that all children, regardless of location, receive the lifesaving polio vaccine.
Japan has been a key supporter of Pakistan’s polio programme for nearly three decades. Since 1996, it has provided more than 245 million US dollars in grants and loans through UNICEF to protect millions of children across the country.
