UN Foundation Statement Clarifying Support of Polio and Measles Elimination in Nigeria

The United Nations Foundation is committed to helping the UN and its partner organizations deliver life-saving vaccines to the children and families who need them around the world.  Access to vaccines will dramatically improve the health of millions of people and will help entire communities.

Press reports emanating from the recent visit of the Board of Directors of the United Nations Foundation to Africa have incorrectly described statements by Ted Turner and the Board as pledging new funding for measles and polio.  They were in fact describing resources already pledged by the UN Foundation and the organizations with which it partners.

The UN Foundation remains dedicated to combating polio and measles and is encouraged by recent progress made to date in fighting these deadly diseases.  The success of these efforts is evidenced by the reduction of new polio cases in Nigeria by 98 percent over the last year. The UN Foundation thanks all of the partners that have contributed to this effort, including the organizations and governments that are funding the programs in 2011.

To read the press releases for the UN Foundation Board trip and for more information regarding the UN Foundation’s work to help the UN fight polio and measles around the globe and provide a better future for children worldwide, visit: www.unfoundation.org.

###

About the United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through campaigns and partnerships, the organization connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.