ADDIS ABABA- Rotary International President Barry Rassin, lauded Ethiopia’s successful effort in eradicating polio. Appreciating the government’s role, Rassin has awarded FDRE President, Sahle-Worke Zewde, Certificate of Recognition.
He said, Rotary International will not stop its humanitarian support till it sees a polio-free planet. During his interview with a group of journalists here in Addis Ababa, Rassin said that the economic change he witnessed in Ethiopia is encouraging and it could be a model for other growing African countries. According to him, Rotaryans in Ethiopia have been backing up several humanitarian activities of Ethiopians. As a humanitarian organization, Rotary International has a core mission of helping people.
He said, Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 30 years, and its goal of ridding the earth of this disease is in sight. “We started in 1979 with vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippians. Today, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic.” Appreciating Ministry of Health for all the effort it shows in eradicating Polio, Rotary International is happy to support such activities.
He said Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries. Appreciating the effort of Rotary International, Country Director, Azeb Asrat, encouraged Ethiopian youths to engage in Rotary and help their fellow Ethiopians.
Rotary was established in Chicago, USA and now exists in more than 220 countries around the world. The motto of Rotary, Service Above Self, examples this humanitarian spirit of the 1.2+ million Rotarian worldwide.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 10/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
